Hey there, you with the stylish off-road package. Go play in the sand!

      Byron Hurd/The Drive

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      During my childhood in the late 80s and early 90s, being a poser was one of the most noticeable social blunders. For a long time, this concern helped to keep enthusiast cars behind various mechanical barriers. You know the phrases: “A true sports car can’t be front-wheel drive,” or “Only a genuine off-roader has a low-range gearbox.”

      By 2025, there aren't many sports cars left (whether "real" or not), but the market is overflowing with off-road vehicles. Just last week, Nissan invited us to Silver Lake Sand Dunes in western Michigan to experience their latest offerings, the Armada and Frontier Pro-4X. A more detailed review of their performance will come soon, but simply put, with their locking rear differentials and low-range transfer cases, they will satisfy almost all hardcore enthusiasts.

      Silver Lake is designated as a state park. The ORV (off-road vehicle) area is open to the public year-round (with some exceptions) and doesn’t require specific equipment. You’ll just need a set of state ORV stickers and a flag, both of which can be purchased on-site and reused at any state ORV park in Michigan. The total out-of-pocket expense? Under $100. Nissan had the receipts, but I didn’t need them. My personal Wrangler is tagged, and my flag is tucked away in the garage rafters for safekeeping. Keeping it registered each year costs about $70 all-in. For that, plus the park admission, you gain access to a playground like this.

      There aren’t many regulations to follow here. There’s no supervision or overbearing guidance. You won’t have an instructor hovering over you or a park ranger watching like a predatory coyote. Some areas are one-way, and a few high-traffic spots have a 25-mph speed limit, but beyond that, you’re solely bound by common sense and your comfort level.

      And no, you don’t require a Pro-4X to enjoy this. In reality, it’s excessive. Seriously. We never used 4-low at all during our trip, let alone the locking rear differential. Standard 4WD and manual gear selection were sufficient for navigating. All you really need is a bit of ground clearance and some torque, both of which most modern trucks and SUVs possess—even the many “soft roaders” that lack a 4×4 platform. Hand me a Ford Bronco Sport with all the extras, and I could likely navigate just as well as either of these larger trucks.

      So, what’s your excuse?

      The most common one I hear is that places like Silver Lake are too distant or too pricey to be convenient, but these reasons are often flimsy. Even in states with strict regulations on motor vehicle use in public areas, private off-road parks are available, and they are often surprisingly affordable and easy to access. While the most remarkable option might not be the nearest, that's typically how nature operates. For instance, in Southeast Michigan, the closest fully-featured site near Detroit is Holly Oaks ORV Park in Oakland County, which is simply a massive gravel pit reclamation project, although one where you can catch air in a Land Rover Defender or Ford Bronco Raptor without violating any laws—or, for that matter, your budget.

      If the 4×4 is the upcoming trend in automotive enthusiasm, so be it. But if you plan to spend thousands to maintain an image, it’s absurd to let a mere hundred dollars in fees block you from actually utilizing your vehicle. It’s enjoyable, and you'll gain some valuable car control skills in the process. And if you’re fortunate enough to have a place like Silver Lake in your vicinity, you’ll have a beautiful setting while showcasing whatever obstacle you just cleared to all your TikTok friends.

      So what are you waiting for? Go feel the sand!

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