• General Rules
• Vehicle Regulations and Requirements
• Michigan Vehicle Towing Laws (Outside the State Park)
• Map of ORV Area
• Driver/Rider Tips
• Exhaust System Rules and Testing
• ORV Voucher System
• ORV Dune Safety Campaign

VEHICLE REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Specific vehicle equipment regulations and requirements are covered by the current Department of Natural Resources and Environment Land Use Order of the Director (LUOD) for Silver Lake State Park. Additionally, no person shall operate a vehicle in violation of any provision of Part 811, Off-Road Recreational Vehicles, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being Section 324.81101 to 324.81150 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. If you have any questions about the requirements or rules, please contact Silver Lake State Park officials. The current LUOD reads in part:

By authority conferred on the Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment by Section 504 of Act No. 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, as amended, being section 324.504 of the Michigan Compiled Laws and in accordance with R 299.671 and R 299.922 of the Michigan Administrative Code, the Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment orders that the following order of the Land Use Orders of the Director shall read as follows:
5.9 Off-road vehicles, Silver Lake State Park Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Area, conditions for use, prohibited conduct.
Order 5.9. A person shall not do any of the following on all state lands of Silver Lake State Park posted as the ORV Area, Oceana County:

(5) Operate any motor vehicle with four or more wheels that does not contain a seat and individual seat belt for each occupant of that vehicle. Those vehicles with automotive-type seating and fewer than four wheels shall be equipped with a seat belt for each occupant. Vehicle operators shall comply with the provisions of the Michigan child passenger safety law, MCL 257.710d, and all of the following provisions:

(a) Seat belts shall be in use by all occupants while the vehicle is in operation.

(b) An approved automotive manufactured restraining device, such as a lap belt or three-or four-point harness, is an acceptable seat belt.

(c) Seat belts and restraining devices, other than factory installed, shall be secured by bolting to the vehicle door, frame, or roll bar.

(d) Any vehicle on which the operator straddles the seat, such as a motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), will be limited to the operator only as the sole occupant and no seat belt will be required.

(6) Operate a vehicle requiring seat belts where an occupant in the rear seat is not protected by a roll bar located immediately behind the occupant's seat as described in (8) unless the rear seat occupant(s) is wearing on his or her head a crash helmet approved by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). The operator of a vehicle that is straddled and not required to meet the seat belt specifications will wear a crash helmet and protective eyewear approved by DOT.

(7) Operate a vehicle requiring seat belts without a warning flag mounted and extending over the front-most portion of the vehicle. Vehicles not requiring seat belts shall mount the warning flag on the rear of the vehicle. Vehicle operators shall comply with all of the following requirements:

(a) The warning flag shall be mounted on a staff that is securely bolted or welded to the vehicle. The warning flag shall maintain a minimum 10-foot height at standstill and a minimum 8-foot height under motion.

(b) The warning flag shall be mounted on the top-most end of the staff. The flag shall be rectangular, international orange in color, solid material, with a minimum length on the supporting side of five inches and a minimum length on the base side of ten inches.

(8) Operate a vehicle requiring seat belts that is not equipped with an integral steel roof, or roll bar located immediately behind the operator, or roll cage, capable of supporting the weight of the vehicle. The operator and occupants of a vehicle without a full front windshield shall wear protective eyewear. The operator of a vehicle equipped with a roll bar shall comply with all the following requirements:

(a) The roll bar shall be welded or bolted to the floor or frame of the vehicle.

(b) The roll bar shall be braced in such a manner as to prevent collapse.

(c) The roll bar shall have clearance above, behind, and outside each seated occupant in the vehicle.

(9) Fail to submit to any of the following tests, or operate any vehicle that does not comply with all of the following:

(a) Vehicles shall be equipped with a muffler and spark arrester containing baffles, shall meet the muffler and spark arrester requirements specified in subsection (g) of section 81133 of Part 811, Off-Road Recreational Vehicles, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being Section 324.81133 (g) of the Michigan Compiled Laws and shall successfully pass a muffler and spark arrester baffle test. A vehicle shall successfully pass a muffler and spark arrester baffle test by preventing passage of a flexible, plastic rod,no larger than 3/8-inch in diameter, through the muffler and spark arrester when inserted through the exhaust outlet and/or visual inspection.

(b) A maximum noise level of 94 Db(A), or the current EPA emissions limit, shall be met. The testing provisions of current SAE J 1287, June 93 standard for ATV and motorcycle vehicles and SAE J 1169, March 93 for all other vehicles shall be followed and all vehicles shall pass a stationary sound level test. The stationary sound level test shall be administered from a 0.5 meter (19.69 inches) distance at one-half the engine's maximum rated RPM and as further described by current testing provisions for the particular vehicle.

(10) Operate any vehicle at any time without possessing a valid operator's or chauffeur's license, except as follows:

(a) A person at least 12 years of age, who has in his or her immediate possession a valid ORV safety certificate issued by this state or a comparable ORV safety certificate issued under the authority of another state or a province of Canada, may operate either an ATV or motorcycle while under direct visual supervision, from a distance of not more than 50 feet, of a parent or adult guardian. Adults, with an ORV safety certificate, may operate an ATV or motorcycle unless otherwise prohibited.

(b) A parent or legal guardian of a child 12 years of age to less than 16 years of age shall not permit the child to operate an ORV unless the child is under direct visual supervision, from a distance of not more than 50 feet, of an adult and the child has in his or her immediate possession an ORV safety certificate issued by this state or a comparable ORV safety certificate issued under the authority of another state or a province of Canada.

(11) Operate any type of vehicle and fail to present an operator's or chauffeur's license or ORV Safety Training Certificate upon the demand of any law enforcement officer or State Park personnel.

(12) Enter or use the ORV Area without complying with all posted regulatory, zoning, or directional signs, or operate a vehicle except in the directional pattern established and marked within the ORV Area.

(13) Enter or use the ORV Area without obtaining and displaying a valid ORV Area Parking Lot Voucher or Dune Ready Voucher at any time when such requirement is posted.

(14) Operate any vehicle while towing a contrivance other than a disabled vehicle or trailer, or tow a vehicle or trailer on other than the designated parking lot or paved entrance road without first obtaining proper written permission from the department. Passengers shall not occupy any trailer or disabled vehicle while it is being towed.

(15) Drive or operate any motor driven vehicle at speeds exceeding 15 mph or perform exhibition type driving within the parking area or entrance road to the ORV Area. Exhibition driving means: performing wheelies, spinning tires, cutting circles, jump starts, or other erratic or irresponsible driving.

(16) Possess or consume an alcoholic beverage at any time in the ORV Area, ORV Voucher Center Area, or any area extending one-quarter of a mile from the boundary of the ORV Area.

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VEHICLE TOWING OUTSIDE THE STATE PARK

The Michigan Motor Vehicle Code and Michigan Compiled Laws state that: vehicles may only be towed using a ridged towing bar that includes safety chains - MCL 257.721 (3); a vehicle operator may tow only one vehicle or trailer at any time - MCL 257.721(5); vehicle operators must have the proper operator's or chauffeur's license - MCL 257.301(1); and in some cases reflectors or stop light are required on the towed trailer or vehicle - MCL 257.688(1)(f).

These rules apply to all Oceana County and State of Michigan roadways and are in effect inside the State Park until one passes the main entrance/fee collection booth.

For additional details please contact the Michigan State Police - Hart Post or the Oceana County Sheriff's Office - Hart , Michigan.

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WATCH FOR SIGNS POSTING DIRECTIONAL TRAFFIC ZONE
STAY WITHIN POSTED BOUNDARY AT ALL TIMES
POSTED APRIL 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 31

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EXHAUST SYSTEM RULES AND TESTING

ORV VOUCHER SYSTEM

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) developed a voucher system as a tool to manage the long lines of Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) users waiting to enter Silver Lake State Park on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

There are two types of vouchers: Dune Ready Vouchers and Parking Lot Vouchers. Dune Ready Vehicles are those that enter the Silver Lake State Park ORV Area from public highways and go straight into the sand dune off-road area without the need for the parking lot/ staging area. Parking Lot Vouchers are for those who require a staging or parking area for their tow vehicle and/or trailer. Both types of vouchers are free to park visitors and are distributed from the Off-Road Vehicle Voucher Center located at the corner of Fox and Ridge Roads, about 1/4 mile east of the ORV Area entrance. The purpose of the voucher is, simply, to "hold the ORV users place in line", while staggering arrival times to avoid excessive lines.

THE VOUCHER SYSTEM SEASON:
Vouchers will be handed out starting mid-May, at 12 noon on Friday, two weeks prior to the Memorial Day weekend and then continuously through the summer on weekends/holidays until the Sunday following Labor Day weekend.

VOUCHER DISTRIBUTION TIMES:
The voucher distribution point on Fox Road will open at 12 noon on Fridays for Dune Ready Vouchers and at 9 p.m. for Parking Lot Vouchers. The Voucher Center will be open as traffic and use require until at least 11 p.m. Fridays and re-open at 7 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. You may also purchase your State Park and ORV permits at the same location, which will help speed up entry into the ORV Area.

VOUCHER TIME PERIODS:
Parking Lot Vouchers will be for two periods: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Parking Lot Stand-by Vouchers will be distributed once parking spaces for those periods are exhausted. There are five Dune Ready Voucher periods: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., 3 p.m. Dune Ready Vouchers for both Saturdays and Sundays, and/or the Holidays at the same time. In order to give people the opportunity for the limited parking spaces, Parking Lot Vouchers will be available at 9 p.m. the day before they are to be used.

Once the days Parking Lot Vouchers are all given out, visitors may choose to be placed on the Parking Lot Stand-by Voucher list for the following day. There may be times when Parking Lot Vouchers will be required, but Dune Ready Vouchers are not, such as on some Holiday weekends.

LATE ARRIVALS:
Dune Ready Voucher holders that arrive late for their entry time frame will need to secure a new voucher for a later time period during the day. Parking Lot Voucher holders are guaranteed entry for either the 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. or the 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. time frame, but not both. If you arrive after your voucher entry time frame, you will need to secure a Parking Lot Stand-by Voucher for later in the day. No parking lot spaces will be guaranteed after 9 a.m. nor can space be held for someone to arrive later. Persons may not use their validated/punched Parking Lot Voucher to trailer-in additional or new off-road vehicles after they originally gain entry at the ORV Area Entrance Gate unless prior arrangements are made with Park Officials and noted on the validated Voucher.

LEAVING AND RE-ENTERING THE STATE PARK:
Once you have entered the park, you may stay as long as you like until the normal closing time. The vouchers only specify the arrival time. Dune Ready and Parking Lot Voucher holders that leave the sand dunes and/or the State Park will be required to go to the end of the waiting line to re-enter. Those attempting to "cut" in ahead of other visitors waiting to enter will be turned away. Vehicles leaving the parking lot will not be guaranteed space upon returning. Be sure your voucher slip is validated (HOLE-TYPE PUNCHED) when you arrive at the ORV Area Entrance Gate for the first time, on any particular day.

THE NUMBER OF VOUCHERS THAT ARE GIVEN OUT EACH DAY:
Over two thousand Dune Ready Vouchers are distributed each day or between 300 and 500 per two-hour time frame. The number of available spaces in the lot controls the number of Parking Lot Vouchers. Inclement weather, no-shows, early or unplanned departures, space sharing, and similar actions allow for additional room on occasion. Parking Lot Stand-by Vouchers are used for these unexpected events.

PICKING UP A VOUCHER FOR SOMEONE ELSE:
Two Dune Ready Vouchers or one Parking Lot Voucher can be obtained by an individual adult park visitor. These voucher slips will require the addition of the user's name and main vehicle license number, in ink, prior to validation. The person picking up the Vouchers will need to know the names, license plate numbers and the intended time frame for entry. The voucher forms must be completed, in ink, prior to embossed or stamped validation at the time of application at the Voucher Center Office. Voucher slips will again be validated with a distinctive hole-type punch upon arrival at the ORV Area Entrance Gate. This hole-type punch will be required if re-entry is requested later during the day.

VOUCHER CENTER PARKING LOT:
The Voucher Center Parking Lot will be used for Parking Lot Stand-by Voucher stacking or cueing line purposes during regular business hours. There will still be a wait with a Parking Lot Stand-by Voucher, since there is no guarantee when parking spaces may occur, but the visitor will be better able to make the best use of their time. Dune Ready Vehicles will need to check back during the day for the possibility of entry prior to 7 p.m. Owners of vehicles in the Voucher Center Parking Lot must be in attendance, trailers or extra vehicles may not be stored or parked there, and there is no overnight parking allowed. The Voucher Center Parking Lot is used as a landing zone for emergency medical helicopters and may need to be cleared within minutes, at any time.

ORV AREA PARKING LOT:
Parking lot spaces are approximately 12 feet x 60 feet in size. Park visitors use of side awnings on trailers, motorhomes, etc., takes up space that others may be waiting to use. No side awnings are allowed on voucher days. Please make efficient use of the limited space and keep your vehicles and gear within your parking spot.

USE OF TRAILERS IN THE ORV AREA AND ORV PARKING LOT:
Trailers are not allowed into the ORV Area beyond the Safety Check Station. Check with Park Rangers regarding use of trailers to remove disabled vehicles or for emergency situations. Within the ORV Parking Lot, semi trailers with tractor/trucks that are over 60 feet in length, will need to unhook trailers and use a small portion of the adjacent space on weekends and busy days. The spaces on the ends of the parking-bays afford this opportunity and semi users are encouraged to use these spaces in which to park their tractor/truck. After 9 a.m. on voucher days, no vehicles may be trailered past the ORV Area Entrance Gate unless prior arrangements are made with Park Officials and noted on the validated Voucher.

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ORV AREA DUNE SAFETY CAMPAIGN

The Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment and Silver Lake State Park, is developing a safe dune driving/operating campaign to make information more readily available throughout the Silver Lake Area. Currently, a web site has been developed to help with this project and can be found at www.dunesafety.com which will also link to other sources of information about the Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area.