tommudd wrote:
well that sort of ...blows

so you may go up and not get on the dunes anyways

Very unlikely, Possibly only on Holiday weekends if you aren't there on Friday to wait in line. There are ways to get multiple vehicles in because you are allowed to tow in 1 or 2 with 1 voucher if need be. Its really not as bad as people make it out to be. The Vouchers are only used on the Weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. And you don't need a voucher past 7PM, so that at least guarantees some fun as the dunes close at 10PM during the Summer. You get Vouchers for a 2 hour Segment, you can reenter anytime after its stamped. You can get mulitple vouchers at the Booth across the street from the entrance (there are signs everywhere) For the Vouchers you need the Name and the Lic Plate Number.
Just don't go on a Holiday weekend and you'll be fine, the Economy sucks in michigan right now. It was practically a wasteland the last time i went.
As for the weather, if you want to treat it as a beach July and August are best, The water is still quite chilly in June.
For those that have never been there you need the Following:
1. A flag - available at several places around town, David allen Racing has brackets and flags, ~$25 for the Flag, then another 10-20 to get a bracket to mount it. The flags mount in a 1/2" hole if you want to make a bracket before you get there. Mount on front of Vehicle.
2. Michigan ORV sticker $16.25 available at the gate
3. State Park Pass - you can buy Daily or Yearly, different rates for residents/nonresidents, i think its less than $10 for a daily non resident
4. A tire pressure gauge that actually reads low PSI, you'll need to air down anywhere between 0-15 psi to have any fun (depending on tire size/vehicle)
5. Air down before you get on the dunes so you aren't stuck on the entrance ramp.
Other notes, follow the directional signs so you don't hit anyone on the hills, don't go too fast over the crests of hills as you can have a bad time, if you get stuck don't stand around just dig with your hands if you can't find anyone to pull you, stay out of the water holes until you know how deep they are.
You don't need skid plates, its very soft sand. The sand is as hard on your car as you want it to be. Drive like an idiot and you'll break, drive normal and you'll have fun.