Champion Mine Dump — Local services in Champion Township

One of my favorite places to find hematite, quartzite, and pyrite in the U.P. Bring bug-spray & sunscreen especially from May-September. We went in October so we didn’t have to worry about that stuff. But otherwise it’s a very scenic and peaceful spot to rock hunt.

Some important info is this land is actually owned by the local township, so it’s not on private property. Whereas most gravel pits/mines you have to ask for permission before rock hunting due to it being private property.

How to get there:

Turn off U.S highway 41 onto the street where the U.S post office is in the corner there. Then go down Co Rd a couple miles where you’d turn a right onto Mine St. go down the road a bit park, and your there! Basically follow the glitter to where all the hematite is.

Lastly this mine dump is actually the “leftovers” originally from the Champion mine in the...

Bring sunscreen, bug spray, and a truck! Watch out for rebar, there is a cliff, and the rocks can be unstable- hiking boots are best to navigate this. Small kiddos and pets should be well supervised if brought along. Your car will sparkle like your kids spilled an art project in it! Take what you want- don’t break your back- and be ware of the vehicle using lots of gas on the way home :) if it is rainy for a long period of time- don’t get stuck. I would live there...

It's a bit difficult to nagivate getting there, and like others have said make sure to bring bug spray, sunscreen and water. However the hematite there is VERY cool, the roads literally sparkle!

I took a few rocks home with me and washed them up to try and get a good pic of their shimmer. However it's difficult to capture...