Van Riper State Park Campground
The campground is currently open for the 2026 season. The modern campground operates seasonally from spring through fall, while the park itself is open year-round. Reservations are available through MiDNRReservations.com. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 10:24AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Alert for July 15 and July 16 2026, for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Pollutants are expected to range from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in the south to Unhealthy in the north. Hourly concentrations at times may reach Very Unhealthy to Hazardous. This is a Statewide Air Quality Alert. Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires will continue moving into the region this week. The plumes as of Wednesday morning have reached the Upper Peninsula, and will continue sinking south, reaching the Michigan/Indiana border Wednesday evening. It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes. You can help reduce air pollution by limiting activities such as outdoor burning or use of residential wood burning devices. Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters. For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan, visit the MiAir site: Michigan.gov/MiAir For fup-to-date air quality data nationally, visit EPA's Air Now site: https://www.airnow.gov For further health information, please see MDHHS' Wildfire Smoke and Your Health site at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury- prev/environmental-health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke. Air Quality Alert Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy July 15 2026
About
Van Riper State Park encompasses over 1,000 acres of Upper Peninsula wilderness, providing campers with access to both Lake Michigamme and the Peshekee River. The modern campground features 147 sites divided into two loops with electric hookups, including some sites with 50-amp service. Sites are mostly shaded and equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. Facilities include flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, a dump station, and free WiFi near the restrooms. The rustic campground offers 40 additional sites set in the woods, appealing to campers seeking a more primitive experience with vault toilets and hand-pump water. A separate group camping area with 9 sites is located near the Peshekee River. The park's day-use area features a sandy swim beach, accessible playground, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and a concession stand. Paved roads throughout the campground make navigation easy for RVs up to 50 feet. The surrounding area is known for moose sightings, and the park connects to hiking trails including the Overlook Trail. Winter activities are available when the modern campground is closed, with the rustic cabin remaining open year-round.
Directions
Located 35 miles west of Marquette off U.S. Highway 41 in Champion, Michigan.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $20 - $37 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 50ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 50ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | Yes |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (906) 339-4461 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
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