2,000 acres of sand dunes and nearly 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline define Silver Lake State Park. The same park is home to the 450-acre Silver Lake ORV Area, which is open to ATV and UTV riding. Here, Oceana County’s shoreline, dunes and designated area for motorized riding meet.
Dunes, Shoreline and a Lighthouse
The Little Sable Point Lighthouse, also known as Little Point Sable Lighthouse, was built in 1874 and is open to climbers. From the top, you can see the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Silver Lake dunes. It’s about a 100-foot walk from a parking area to the lighthouse. The climb thus combines a historic structure with a view of the distinctive coastal landscape.
Forest and Wildlife Watching
The Otto Nature Preserve is an 80-acre property in Benona Township, owned and managed by the Oceana Conservation District. The protected, mature Northern Mesic Beech-Maple Forest is developing old-growth forest conditions. Visitors are welcome from dawn to dusk. Educational programs and guided walks include birding trips, snowshoe hikes and owl watching. Since event dates may change, it’s best to check them in advance.
At Gales Pond County Park, a 2,500-foot-long accessible boardwalk provides access to a wooded nature trail. Bald eagles and other notable bird species are often spotted there. Doolittle County Park offers a different natural setting, with hiking and nature trails, diverse wildlife and vernal pools that hold water only periodically. Nature experiences range from a boardwalk and forest trail to seasonally water-filled pools.
Trails with Different Highlights
The paved William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park runs through Oceana County between Whitehall or Montague and Hart. The 22-mile trail was created from a former railroad line. The Hart trailhead is in a parking lot east of the US-31 Hart exit, Exit 149. Pentwater Pathways offers a different experience: five wooded loops provide opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. When planning your outings, the main difference is their character: a paved trail converted from a railroad line or several wooded loops.
On the Water and Throughout the Year
At Stony Lake County Park, you can swim in the lake’s calm, shallow water. A boat launch is available for kayaking or canoeing. Mill Pond County Park has a kayak and canoe launch on the North Branch of the White River. The two places offer different ways to spend time on the water: swimming and a boat launch at Stony Lake, and a river launch at Mill Pond County Park.
Traditions also give visits a seasonal connection. The National Asparagus Festival celebrates Oceana County’s harvest every year on the second weekend in June. Dates and programming may change, so check the current festival details in advance. Whether you’re interested in dunes, forest trails, wildlife watching or water activities, these experiences showcase different aspects of the landscape and its recreational opportunities.
Discover more destinations: Pentwater, Mears, New Era, Emmet, Luce County, Jackson, St. Joseph, Presque Isle County.
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