Van Riper State Park — Attraction in Champion Township

One of the best, yet unknown, state parks in Michigan. Van Riper is located in a great spot west of Marquette and we stop there on our way from Brimley (Sault St. Marie) on our way to the Porupine Mountains so we don't have to drive as far. There is a very large modern camping area, plus a completely different rustic area for those of us who like to tent camp (yet still might want to sneak over to get a nice warm shower, or blow dry your hair!) The beach is what is really wonderful. It is a very gradual drop, great for small children, with swings and a brand new play jungle area (2016.) The water in Lake Michigama is tea colored, which makes it interesting and I think it might even contribute to how warm it is (this is August mind you.) They also have a good camp host program the past few years with things for the kids to do. All facilities were clean and in very good repair - way to use those Passport dollars! Remember, in Michigan our parks are not funded by tax dollars, but by park fees, and our Michigan Passport license option, so be sure to opt in and...

Nice campground and beach. Had site 40 under a huge three and thank god it was a blessing with the crazy heat! Also super close to the beach stairs. Overall a nice place, quiet and well maintained with some trails across the street but not the best trails, narrow, bushy and signa and benches falling apart.

I am giving 4 stars and not 5 for 2 main reasons apart from the trails:

1. There is a laundry room in the facility in front of the beach but impossible to get quarters to use the washing machine and the dryer (2$ each). The concession there has a policy of not giving any change and the rangers at the gate don’t have change. You have to go very far to get any change….there is no store in Champion…
2. There are nice showers but not a single drop of hot water…not clear whether it is an ad hoc issue or a permanent thing. Water is not even lukewarm but icy cold…not great.

Rangers are nice folks but clueless…and no camp host to help.

PS May want to buy wood in Champion by the side of the road (5$) as the Park did not have any but was expecting some in the...

I have very fond memories of this park as a kid but was a little disappointed in our visit. It is a beautiful park and lots are large but it’s fairly open and your neighbors are all right there. They wouldn’t let us check in until 3:00 even though there was no one on our site. I’ve stayed at a lot of parks and never had this happen. Said they had to “prepare the sites”. They did nothing to it. We had to sit in the day use area until we could check in. Decided to do some laundry in the washing machine available while we waited (we were on week three of a long trip) but the machines only take quarters and literally no one would exchange dollars for quarters because the machines are managed by an outside company. I had to buy a beverages for $3.50 just to get 2 quarters in change. Decided to go for a hike while we waited. Trails are poorly maintained and overgrown in many places. Fine park if you want to sit on your site while your kids ride bikes around the park. Otherwise, I’d...