You don't have to hop on a plane to experience a little piece of the Sahara Desert. These rolling dunes near Ontario will whisk you away to a far off land and you can explore a sprawling landscape of velvety sand.
The area boasts around 2,936 acres of dunes that are 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long.
Though this spot might look like a far away land, it's actually just over a three hour drive from Windsor, Ontario in the state of Michigan.
Here's what to know about this majestic destination.
The Silver Lake Sand Dunes are located in Michigan, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Windsor, Ontario. The rolling sand hills can be found in Silver Lake State Park and will transport you to another world.
You'll feel like you're exploring a desert as you gaze across the sandy landscape.
There are a few different ways to experience the dunes. You can adventure through them on foot or give sandboarding a try, which is basically like surfing but instead of water, you'll be riding across dunes.
You can also drive across the dunes. The park features a 450-acre off-road vehicle area where you can zoom around in personal 4x4s (must be outfitted with an ORV sticker and a ten-foot orange flag) or rental off-road vehicles.
If you want to live out a true Lawrence of Arabia moment you can ride horses along the dunes as you take in stunning views of Lake Michigan. The tours typically operate for the month of November.
Other ways to enjoy the scenery include fat biking and driving tours.
While at the park, you can also stop by some of the beaches and enjoy the "warm sugar sands" that they offer. The four-mile Lake Michigan beach is a great spot to take a dip, or, take a trip to the historic Little Sable Point Lighthouse which also features a beach.
Just remember — you'll need your passport!
Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Price: $11 USD per day for non-residents
Address: 1765 N Lakeview Dr., Mears, MI
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
This article has been updated since it was originally published on August 4, 2023.
