Mac Wood's Dune Rides

How it started

Mac Wood built a dune scooter in 1930 to entertain guests at his resort. Passersby got curious enough that they talked him into turning it into a business, and nearly a century later it is still running the original idea: guided tours through a dedicated section of the dunes. Very few tourism operations anywhere survive that long on the concept they started with.

What the ride actually is

Roughly forty minutes, guided, on a route reserved for the tour. No permit of any kind is required, which makes it the only way onto the dunes that involves no paperwork at all. It runs mid-May through October, though exact dates shift year to year and are worth confirming before you build a day around it.

Who it is genuinely for

The most common Silver Lake trip is not four riders. It is one or two people who want to ride and several who do not, and this is the answer for the several who do not. It is also a good first move for anyone who has never been in a dune field, because seeing the terrain from a vehicle someone else is driving teaches you a surprising amount before you drive it yourself.

• Non-riders who still want to see the dunes properly
• Families where the children are under the age limits for the class you brought
• First-timers who want a look at the terrain before committing to it
• Anyone whose weather day fell apart and who still wants something out of the trip

It is not the scramble area

Booking and practicalities

Confirm the current season, hours, pricing, and whether the ride runs in the weather you are expecting directly with the operator. High wind and lightning stop dune activity generally, and a guided ride is no exception.