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Activities

Established Camping

Silver Lake State Park Campground

Silver Lake State Park Campground, near Mears, Michigan, is a lively spot that attracts families and outdoor lovers alike. With its close proximity to the stunning Silver Lake and the impressive sand dunes, it’s a prime location for those looking to soak up some sun and enjoy water activities.

The campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, complete with amenities like electric hookups and clean restrooms. Visitors often mention the well-kept facilities and the friendly staff, making it a comfortable place to set up camp. One camper noted, “Nice large site with clean restrooms and friendly staff,” which sums up the general vibe here.

For adventure seekers, the nearby dunes provide a thrilling playground for off-roading and exploring. The beach area is just a quick walk away, perfect for a refreshing dip or a leisurely day by the water. Families will appreciate the playgrounds scattered throughout the campground, ensuring the kids have a blast while you kick back and relax.

While the campground can get busy, especially during peak season, the beautiful surroundings and variety of activities make it a worthwhile destination. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Silver Lake State Park Campground has plenty to offer for a fun-filled getaway.

Description

State Park

Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp

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Location

Silver Lake State Park Campground is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

Follow US-31 to the Hart or Shelby exit then follow signs to Silver Lake State Park Campground.

Address

9679 W State Park Rd
Mears, MI 49436

Coordinates

43.63631480202649 N
86.51435353953174 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups

Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

23 Reviews

Reviewed May. 29, 2024

Nice and clean, but one and done

Nice large site with clean restrooms and friendly staff. Very busy however and right on the road causing traffic noise late into the night. Quick walk to beach area. Play area for older kids, not so much for younger ones. One and done for us.

Site19
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Holly G., May 29, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2021

Close to dunes

Mainly RV’s. Little privacy. Shaded. It’s close to dunes which is its only saving Grace.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2021

Not a fan

I wasn’t a fan of this campground. Silver Lake and the beach are the main attraction here. It’s also close to the sand dunes as well. The sites were not that big and most of the sites are electric only. Our electric box for our site was in the front passenger side of the lot. Aren’t most RV plugs in the rear driver side? Any way when I went to complain the response I got was basically “oh well”. Ended up having to buy a $75 extension cord so we could stay here. We also had poison ivy all over our site. Probably won’t be back.

Site204
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Clint , July 4, 2021
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Clint , July 4, 2021
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Clint , July 4, 2021
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jun. 25, 2021

Beautiful Dunes

Incredibly tight spots making it difficult to back campers into. Multiple vehicles, tents, etc at a majority of sites making it feel even tighter. Nicely shaded, deep fire rings, and very clean. Great playground, right next to the beach.

Site83
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Amy B., June 25, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2020

Great location near the dunes

This is a good-sized campground with loops on either side of the road. None of the sites offer much privacy and in the busy season you can feel pretty packed in. But the location is awesome due to its proximity to the Silver Lake Off Road Vehicle Area, Lake Michigan, Silver Lake and the Little Sable Point Lighthouse. 

If you are into off-roading across sand dunes, this is the park to stay at, although this isn't by any means a quiet place to getaway. In addition to the dunes, which are available to off-road vehicles and pedestrians to enjoy, there's another part of the park that has a cool lighthouse from 1874 and there are some nice views all around the park. 

Cell service was decent on Verizon but non-existent for a Google Fi phone (which uses Spring and T-Mobile towers). 

Make sure you check your rig size against the site you are planning gon reserving as many sites have odd shapes or require some maneuvering due to the placement of trees and fire pits. Also, be aware that the road through the campground is quite narrow so you'll need to take your time and, if at all possible, arrive when you still have daylight available to see everything. 

Note that 20 and 30 amp is available at all sites, but you often are sharing a power pole with several other sites.

Bathrooms were in good shape and offer unisex shower stalls outside the restrooms, which is always nice.

Site79
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Ari A., October 18, 2020
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Ari A., October 18, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2020

Calm, peaceful

Very happy with the campgrounds.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Jen , August 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Jen , August 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Jen , August 31, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2020

Busy, wooded campground on a beautiful lake and dunes

This state park is on Silver Lake, and close to Lake Michigan. There are dunes between Silver Lake and Lake Mchigan, with a large ORV area. The ORV crowd dominates this busy, but nicely wooded campground. So lots of traffic as people are taking their Jeeps, trucks and dune buggies out to the dunes constantly. We were there this summer, during Covid pandemic, and found most campers refused to wear a mask to the restrooms. Aside from that, we enjoyed a spacious shady site at an end of a loop, and enjoyed a mid-week stay with no loud neighbors! We enjoyed the beach at Little Sable Lighthouse, a 5 minute drive from the park instead of the shallow, sandy but crowded (for a pandemic) beach on Silver Lake within the state park. Mac Woods Dune Rides is a super fun ride on the dunes, and only a few minutes away.

Site220
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2020

Amazing lake shore

Standard state park amenities... when we arrived we were surprised how small the trail was to get tour site, but it was really packed with people. The beach area was amazing and looking out onto silver lake with the dunes in the background was unbelievable. They had a nice playground with a rope type climbing set up. I’ve attached a photo. We signed up for the sand dune rides which were available in town. Very fun and worth the money if you don’t feel confident driving your own truck in the dunes. This was a multi stop trip and did not want to take a chance with our tow vehicle but could see ourselves doing a full weekend here and giving it a try. It does attract a lot of people so it is not quite the restful camping we did on the rest of our trip but very enjoyable none the less

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  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Marc W., July 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Marc W., July 31, 2020
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Nov. 1, 2019

Great area

Great area for camping especially if you want to go play on the dunes!

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2019

Family Fun

There are two sides to the state park. One is the water side on Silver Lake and the other is across the street. Definitely want to stay on the water side if you can get a campsite. Must book well in advance. Most amazing piece of real estate on the coast. The lake is shallow for quite a ways and the kids can wade out into the swimming area at the beach. Sandy bottom and clean water. Clean bathrooms and updated play ground. Beautiful view of the dunes. Lots to do in the area as well. MacWoods Dune rides, Pontoon boat/Jet Ski rental, little Sable Lighthouse (also a state park), Craig’s Cruisers Family fun center (go carts, mini golf, bumper boats etc..)

  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Christie V., July 30, 2019
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Christie V., July 30, 2019
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Christie V., July 30, 2019
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jul. 5, 2019

Awesome place, but not for young ones!

If you are an adult with other adult friends... this is the place to be. However, if you have young children, this place can get a bit rowdy and loud due to the type of campers it attracts. Fantastic views of the dunes, easy access to everything, nice beach on Silver Lake. This is a total party place!

Reviewed May. 24, 2019

Nice

Nice busy park but on the water on the one side. Great location to the dunes. Fun area to camp when there for the dunes.

Reviewed Oct. 15, 2018

Dune Rides!

We had a blast on the dunes at Silver Lake. You can get an off road vehicle tag there. We took the Jeep but there were people there in all sorts of off-road capable vehicles. It is a nice way to get an adrenaline rush and beautiful views of the lake all at once.

Month of VisitMay
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Reviewed Jul. 30, 2018

Camping and Off Roading wonderland

A variety of campsites, plenty of trees. Boat launch available. Great area for hiking, biking, boating, fishing. Pontoon, kayak, Jeep, sand rail and dune buggy rentals nearby. Amazing sunsets! Popular location for off-road vehicles. Busy on weekends. Reservations fill fast. Great clean restrooms and shower facilities

  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Wendy B., July 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Wendy B., July 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Wendy B., July 30, 2018
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2018

Great location!

This campground is split and on both sides of the road. One side is up by the water and the other side is more wooded. The campground itself is beautiful and the accommodations were clean and well maintained.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Danielle R., July 20, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2018

On the water

The campground is on Silver Lake and offers a beach and playground for the kids. Full of tall trees for shade and perfect for a hammock beside Silver Lake. There are pavillons for a group to gather, a boat ramp and volleyball court. The camping spaces are close...some are paved. Beautiful view of the dunes. Tight for large campers...better for pop-ups, hybrids and tents.

  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Jennifer H., July 16, 2018
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Jennifer H., July 16, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2016

Exceptionally beautiful

Dunes and beaches to explore with some wooded areas and a pond. Really nice layout: you camp along a small lake that’s separated from Lake Michigan by a sandy beach. And on top of that it faces west for amazing sunsets. Cute lighthouse. Jeeps on dunes are pretty annoying :( Campsite views are exceptional. Everything’s quiet, clean, well cared for, nice and simple. Sites are mostly pretty open so not much privacy. But the views make it stand way way out.

Reviewed Jul. 22, 2016

Holiday Park Campground

Silver lake is one of the most beautiful areas you can go in all of Michigan. With dunes of it's own, & a perfect, calm crystal lake - it's great for swimming, kayaking and photography. Holiday Park campground was on the south shore of the lake, had a swim area, boat launch, and was immaculate. Pets were allowed and sites were very level for trailers. All sites had electric hook ups and they are sectioned out by environment, like woods, lakeside, up on the ridge line, and there's even island sites. I prefer the lake and island sites if you can get them. There's something about waking up to that lake that is dreamy!

  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Erin H., July 22, 2016
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Erin H., July 22, 2016
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Erin H., July 22, 2016
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2016

Great for the ORV trails

Campsites were pretty standard - fire-ring, picnic table, electrical hookups, but I don't think there was a parking pad. Restrooms & showers were clean. There's a boat ramp in the campground, and a little general store a short walk away. The off-roading was a blast, and there are places to rent jeeps if you don't own a vehicle that can handle it.

The engine revving on the main road and the partying at the campground consistently went pretty late into the night. Even with it being a little noisier than we were expecting, we had a good time. We probably won't be making it back to this campground though.

Reviewed Jun. 27, 2016

Silver Lake State Park

Silver Lake offers sandy dunes for off roading, a beach for swimming and trails. There are many camping sites in which the terrain varies. Restrooms are cleaned daily and there are showers. Silver Lake is a pretty popular park so it can get noisey if you go on a holiday weekend so plan ahead if you want a quieter visit.

  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Noah R., June 27, 2016
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Noah R., June 27, 2016
  • Review photo of Silver Lake State Park Campground by Noah R., June 27, 2016
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2016

lots of off road vehicles

sites: some sites on water. not very private/some trees. many shaded sites. sandy sites. can get noisy. amenities: quite busy. other attractions: metal detecting popular. lighthouse. beach. off road vehicle trails. dunes. swimming. tourist town near. I would go back again.

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2016

Great park and close to dunes

A great location on the west side of michigan with dune or brewpubs to enterain. Great beach at the the campground and boat launch. Great care on the bathrooms with cleanings daily and seperate showers. Great huge trees with shade which makes it cooler at the park than it really is. Great truck with firewood in evenings and so much to do in the dunes with my Jeep I love it here

Reviewed Mar. 28, 2016

My favorite place on earth.

I have been coming to this campground since birth, so for 30 years now. My family has come here since the 70s. The park is in a great location, within walking/biking distance of town. They have a beach for swimming and a boat ramp as well. The bathrooms are cleaned each day and there are plenty of individual showers. The sites are big. The only downside is they are almost all dirt and the trees are large and many so not much sun gets into the campground. It can feel much cooler in the park than outside of it. But that's not a big deal because you will probably not be there much during the day. There is so much to do around silver lake. Renting boats or ORVs, go karting, biking, shipping, Mac Woods dune rides, walking on the dunes, swimming, going to Little Sable Point lighthouse, getting ice cream at Whippy Dip, the list goes on and on. There are a few other campgrounds in town but this is by far the best value and location. They have a firewood truck that drives around and sells wood. Also there is a party store just down the street for any other needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Silver Lake State Park Campground have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Silver Lake State Park Campground has 30 amp electric hookups and water hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Silver Lake State Park Campground?

    Silver Lake State Park Campground allows vehicles up to 60 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Silver Lake State Park Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Silver Lake State Park Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Silver Lake State Park Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is available.