You will be told what time your ORV is due back when you are ready to leave the staging area.
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You need a valid driver’s license with you at the time of rental. You will also need a time telling devise and you need some type of protective eye covering.
There is a security deposit of $750.00 that must be paid before using our rentals. Paid by card or cash.
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As long as there is a valid unrestricted drivers license on file at Silver Lake Buggy Rentals.
To drive Teryx you:
- Must be at least 21 years old and have gone on the guided instructional tour.
To drive Rover, ORV, or quad you:
- Must be at least 16 years old.
If you meet all the above criteria, you may change drivers. Remember, safety is always the most important concern!
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Yes you can – as long as it is nonalcoholic. We recommend a soft drink or water with a re-closable top.
Keep in mind there are many bumps, Typically a picnic type lunch/snacks are not recommend. These do not hold up well in these conditions (not appealing to the eye once it is shook up). * no glass allowed
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The off road vehicle area is approximately 450 acres. It is well marked around the perimeter and the exit is at the South East corner of the area. One can travel in an ORV from the farthest point on the north to the exit in less then 15 minutes if you take a direct route. Just keep Lake Michigan to your right then follow the boundary markers in the land to exit.
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A standard watch is preferred. If using a cellular device, be aware it most likely will switch to Wisconsin time, and will cause you to be late for your pick up. You will need to set a timer on this cellular device if it is your only source of telling time.
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Most people get stuck at least once. These ORVs have safety limits and depending on the sand conditions the day of your rental as well as your driving experience in the sand you may not be able to climb all the hills. Our ORV’s have 4 wheel drive and that is a big help but not a substitute for common sense or experience. This is not a carnival ride and, as the driver, it is your responsibility to operate the vehicle within its and your abilities. We keep people on the dunes to help you if the situation calls for it. If you get stuck and need help flag down one of our guide vehicles. You will also be instructed on how to get unstuck yourself in the speech your driver gives you before you leave. Please pay attention to this speech.
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You must be 18 years old to sign a contract. 21 years old to drive our Teryx. You must be 16 years old to dive our ATVs, rover, or ORVs.
Note: if you are under 18 you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign release of liability. All drivers must have a valid drivers license.
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Yes, absolutely. Also, if you drive through the water, you will get wet and, if you drive on a lot of hills, you will get bounced around. Pregnant women should not drive or ride in an ORV.
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Nobody sets out to damage an ORV but accidents do happen. The renter is responsible for all damages to the vehicle rented, all passengers and other persons or vehicles involved in any accidents. Any remaining rental time plus the $750.00 damage deposit will be forfeited in the event of an accident. If the damages incurred are in excess of the $750.00 damage deposit, the balance will be charged as well.
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While difficult, it is possible. Flipping an ORV is a result of reckless driving. You will lose your security deposit. You may get injured. You will most likely be issued a reckless driving ticket by the DNR.
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Speeds are limited for safety purposes. The Teryx gets up to approx. 40 mph and because of that these vehicles have a mandatory instructional period in the dunes to assure the vehicle will be driven properly and safely. The Rovers and R-max vehicles are limited to 25 mph. so the younger drivers may operate them. Since these vehicles all have 4 wheel drive and full power up to speed limit they climb very well while still remaining safe.
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Yes, with the following limitations. The children must NOT be of car seat, booster seat age or weight restrictions in accordance with Michigan Law. If the child is in need of a child seat or booster seat, the ONLY vehicle that these restraint devices are allowed in are the Kawasaki Teryx’s. Same laws exist in the ORV park as do on the public roads in Michigan.
Michigan law requires: Children younger than age 4 must ride in a car seat; children up to age 8 and/or 4’9″ and UNDER to be in a car or booster seat. Children between 40 and 80 pounds require a booster seat, the MUST ride in one of these restraint devices until they reach the age requirement or height requirement.
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They can be. The sand dunes are the busiest in July and the first three weeks in August. The three holidays are very busy. If you visit during those times there will be a lot of traffic on the sand dunes.
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You will need several things:
- A State Park sticker, Trail permit and an ORV sticker. All are available at the DNR Welcome Center.
- ORV flag. This must be attached to the front of your vehicle if you sit in the vehicle. If you sit on the vehicle (ATV or motorcycle) the flag must go on the back. We sell several differently priced flags. We also sell many brackets to help attach the flag to your vehicle. In addition to selling the hardware you will need we have people that can install it for you for a minimum charge of $10.00 for most applications. We have been told by many people that having the flag installed was the best money they spent. We design all our flag brackets and have welding and machining on site for any installation challenges.
- Air gauge. You will need to have an air gauge so you can deflate your tires to approx. 12 lbs. or less while on the dunes. You will then need to reinflate them when you leave the ORV area before driving on the highway.
- If you have further questions, please check out Michigan Department of Natural Resources for further information.
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We must pay for the cost of an operating lease with the State of Michigan to use the ORV area. The snowmobile rentals do not have to do this. The insurance requirements of the lease agreement are staggering. Then the maintenance costs for maintaining the equipment to run on sand, day in and day out, are astronomical. Even the IRS audited us due to our maintenance costs and ended up agreeing that they were all valid. The maintenance costs do not come out of the damage deposits. The only charges on the damage deposit are driver error expenses such as driving the vehicle into deep water and causing damage to engines, air filters, etc. or hitting something in the ORV area such as a tree, vehicle or driftwood, etc.
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No, the number of seats rented is the number of persons we can/will transport to the park. The sand dunes have become very busy and extra passengers/spectators causes a safety risk. There is not a good/safe spectator staging area at the park.
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Please visit ThinkDunes.com to see a collection of top places to eat and things to do in the Silver Lake area.
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Please let us know if you have more questions by contacting us by any of the means listed on our Contact Us page. Thank you.
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If we are closed due to COVID-19, a full refund will be returned.