Silver Lake State Park (Michigan)

Silver Lake State Park
Silver Lake Dunes
Map showing the location of Silver Lake State Park
Location in Michigan
Location Golden Township, Oceana County, Michigan, USA
Nearest city Mears, Michigan
Coordinates 43°40′43″N 86°30′40″W / 43.67861°N 86.51111°W / 43.67861; -86.51111Coordinates: 43°40′43″N 86°30′40″W / 43.67861°N 86.51111°W / 43.67861; -86.51111 [1]
Area 2,936 acres (1,188 ha)
Elevation 656 feet (200 m) [1]
Established 1920
Governing body Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Website Silver Lake State Park
Test Hill, the park's second largest dune

Silver Lake State Park is a public recreation area covering 2,936 acres (1,188 ha) bordering Lake Michigan and Silver Lake near Mears in Oceana County, Michigan.[2] The state park is composed of mature forest land and over 2,000 acres (810 ha) of sand dunes. The park is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide and 3 miles (4.8 km) long and is divided into three segments: The northern area is an all-terrain vehicle dunes area where private motorized vehicle may be driven,[3] the middle of the park is a non-vehicle area (the Walking Dunes), and the southernmost section is leased to a private operator.[2] The park grounds include the Little Sable Point Light on Lake Michigan and one mile of shoreline on 690-acre (280 ha)[4] Silver Lake.[5]

History

The park originated in 1920 when 25 acres on the east side of Silver Lake were donated for park purposes by Carrie E. Mears, the daughter of lumber baron Charles Mears. In 1926, the federal government transferred 900 acres to the state, which became Sand Dunes State Park in 1949. Based upon a 1949 master plan, the two were merged, with Silver Lake State Park seeing its new boundaries dedicated in 1951.[5]

Facilities and activities

The park is considered a multi-use park with recreational opportunities that include camping, hunting, swimming, hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking, and off-road vehicle driving.[2][5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Silver Lake State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. 1 2 3 "Silver Lake State Park". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Silver Lake-ORV Scramble Area". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Lake Inventory Map: Silver Lake" (PDF). Institute for Fisheries Research. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 "General Management Plan for Silver Lake State Park" (PDF). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 2012. pp. 6, 57–58. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
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