Jeep Invasion 2025: Our Exciting Adventure at Silver Lake Sand Dunes
- Michaela
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 23
This past weekend marked our first vendor show of the 2025 season at Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Mears, Michigan. We were incredibly excited as it was our first time attending this event. The show is a multi-day affair that starts on Thursday evening and runs until Sunday morning, culminating in Jeep Church.
Event Highlights
The excitement kicks off on Friday and Saturday, packed full of activities. You can enjoy riding the dunes, visiting the vendor midway, or exploring the charming town. The festivities begin on Friday with the annual poker run, which visits several local businesses. Throughout the day, registered attendees can participate in three raffle drawings starting at 2 PM, with additional drawings every two hours.
At 4 PM on Friday, a larger raffle sponsored by Lane Automotive offers bigger prizes such as winches, floor mats, and other outdoor gear. To participate in these raffles, attendees must wear their official Jeep Invasion lanyard since the dunes attract many visitors every weekend.
Saturday starts with a spectacular parade across the dunes followed by a craft show at the vendor midway. The rest of the midway showcases Jeeps competing in the show-and-shine competition. Saturday's schedule mirrors Friday's, except the larger raffle occurs at 6 PM.
The Beauty of Silver Lake State Park
Silver Lake State Park spans nearly 3,000 acres along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Much of this park is covered with stunning sugar-sand dunes. Visitors can also enjoy a four-mile beach on Lake Michigan, inland Silver Lake, wooded hiking trails, and even a campground with boat launches. Adding to its charm is a towering lighthouse nearby.
In the town of Mears, you will find various lodging options and attractions. The Silver Lake area is perfect for family summer getaways in Pure Michigan. For off-road enthusiasts, there are 450 acres of dunes to explore, the only location east of the Mississippi River for such thrilling driving experiences.
Once a vehicle is deemed "Dune Ready," drivers can test their skills on the ever-changing dunes, which feature a drag strip, beach shoreline, and a massive dune known as Test Hill. Test Hill is a directional dune; if you get stuck, you must either be pulled up from the top or return all the way back down, as turning around is not permitted.
To access the ORV area of the park, you must be Dune Ready. This means having your Michigan State Park Recreational Pass, your Michigan ORV and ORV Trail stickers, and an orange safety flag attached to the front of your vehicle that is 10 feet high. Additionally, there's a pole your flag must hit when entering the park. Unfortunately, there is no good spot to air down your tires before entering the sandy area.
Camping Experience
For our trip, my friends, boyfriend, sister, and I decided to camp at Silver Hills Campground, one of the best campgrounds in the area. The facilities were well-kept, and the bathrooms were immaculate. The friendly staff was helpful in moving us to adjacent sites.
We set up two ground tents, a rooftop tent on an overland Chevy Silverado Trail Boss, and a truck bed camper in a Dodge Ram. Our meals were wonderfully diverse: Thursday night featured smoked sausage with potatoes; Friday night, hot dogs and brats accompanied by my homemade pasta salad; and Saturday night saw Blackstone fajita nachos—though I forgot the tortillas.
Despite it being late May, the nights were surprisingly chilly. Breakfast presented a challenge, as we initially planned to have cereal. Instead, we sought out hot food. On Friday morning, my boyfriend, sister, and I opted for McDonald's, conveniently close and easy to order via mobile.
On Saturday, all of us went to Michigan Base Camp for breakfast. This spot was super close to our campground and on the way to the dunes. I highly recommend their bagel breakfast sandwich and their Test Hill iced latte—it's a salted caramel flavor that’s hard to resist.
The Vendor Show Experience
Now, for the all-important question: How was the show? It was fantastic! I set up my booth alongside my friends from L2 Graphics, who designed the official stickers for Jeep Invasion. We saw a lot of foot traffic, and two items tied for the best sellers of the weekend.
The "But Did You Die?" hoodie sold exceptionally well, as it always does. Customers appreciated that it fits comfortably under jackets, which was a boon given the chilly weather. My latest design, "Life's a Wave, Ride the Dune," on a royal blue crewneck also sold well. Both designs displayed at the front of the booth drew people in, eager to check out our warm apparel.
On Saturday morning, during the parade, I took the opportunity to roam the craft show. It opened earlier than the vendor area, and I found some great items. I purchased new air fresheners for my car and Jeep, including one for my mom and sister, from Rustic Rascals. "Tipsy Cowgirl" became my favorite scent. My sister also picked up baked goods for herself and our parents' dog.
The rest of the day was filled with selling products, eating delicious food from nearby food trucks, and my sister making the most of her money at the Wild Bill soda truck.
A Beautiful Conclusion
After packing up on Saturday, I finally had the chance to hit the dunes for sunset. My sister took the wheel of my Jeep for most of the ride, although she was a bit disappointed with its performance against my friend's Gladiator in a drag race. Overall, it was a perfect ending to a wonderful vendor show weekend.
The drive home on Sunday took about three hours, but thankfully, my Jeep had no issues throughout the entire trip. Upon returning, I washed it and parked it until the next wheeling adventure or local coffee meetup.
In conclusion, our experience at the Jeep Invasion 2025 at Silver Lake Sand Dunes was unforgettable. From the incredible scenic views to the engaging activities, it was a weekend filled with fun, friendship, and adventure.
For more information about Silver Lake Sand Dunes, check out this Ultimate Pure Michigan Guide.
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