Dune Clean-Up Days

We typically host 2 clean up days on the sand dunes every year - one in the Spring just before the Dunes open to the public and in the early Fall, just before it closes for the season to ORV use. We feel these events are one of the most critical and important things we can do to preserve the cleanliness and natural beauty of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes for everyone to enjoy.

Our clean-up day events are open to anyone that is interested in helping and all ages are welcome with parent or guardian. We have a lot of fun, laughs and make new dune friends while doing this. You'd be AMAZED at some of the junk folks find out there!Please consider volunteering for one of these events to help us keep our dunes clean and beautiful! Awards given out to those who find the most unique items during the event. 

*Volunteers for this event MUST be pre-registered via this website, as we are limited to how many people can be on the dunes during our permitted time. We'll will meet at the dune-side parking lot near the main DNR barn for instructions BEFORE you head out onto the dunes.

Each year, the Silver Lake Recreation Association (SLRA) proudly partners with the Silver Lake/Hart Visitors Bureau and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to ensure the beauty of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes is preserved after the Thunder Over the Dunes fireworks display.

Volunteers play a vital role in cleaning up debris from the pedestrian side of the dunes the morning after the fireworks. To facilitate this effort, SLRA and Silver Lake/ Hart Visitors Bureau secures special permits from the Michigan DNR, allowing a limited number of vehicles to access the dunes in a single file.

Due to permit restrictions, we must limit the number of vehicles and volunteers on-site. We prioritize using high-capacity, dune-ready passenger vehicles to efficiently transport volunteers to and from the cleanup area.

If you’re passionate about preserving the dunes and would like to be part of this incredible cleanup crew, we’d love to have your help! Click below to volunteer and make a difference.