Sand Dunes, Beaches, Camping and... Asparagus?

Perhaps best known for miles of sand dunes stretching along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the area stretching along U.S.-31 from Rothbury to Hart and including Stony Lake and Silver Lake is more than just an off-roader’s paradise.

In addition to dune rides and off-road activities, there are some spectacular beaches perfect for sunbathing or just playing around. Among the picturesque Lake Michigan beaches are: Little Sable Point Lighthouse beach area, Golden Township beach, Claybanks Township beach and the Stony Lake “Oval” (where Stony Lake channel joins Lake Michigan). There are also great beaches and boating on Silver Lake (with the Silver Lake State Part), Hart Lake and Crystal Lake.

Activities not involving sand include go-karts, golf (there are several courses in the area), mini-golf, shopping and dining. Also, the area features some wonderful antique markets, including the Silver Hills Antique Mall, one of the lakeshore’s largest.

The National Asparagus Festival is the summer’s main event for the Silver Lake area. Taking place the second weekend in June, the festival offers an array of events, including parades, fireworks and a car show.

Nearby Rothbury is home to the well-known Double JJ Ranch, which offers camping, cabin rentals or hotel stays as well as an array of activities encompassing golf, water sports, a weekly rodeo, and much, much more.

Sand and Jeeps are pretty much the name of the game along this stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline, but the warm, friendly towns of Rothbury, New Era, Stony Lake, Shelby, Mears and Hart provide a wide range of things-to-do for on- or off-roaders.