Van Riper State Park is a 1044 acres (4.2 km²) park located in the Upper Peninsula

Upper Peninsula of Michigan

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded...

 of the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 of Michigan

Michigan

Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

, 17 miles (27.4 km) west of Ishpeming

Ishpeming, Michigan

Ishpeming is a city in Marquette County in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,686 at the 2000 census. This is down from a higher population in the 1950s and 1960s when the economically supportive iron ore mines had a much higher employment level...

 on US-41

U.S. Route 41

U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...

. It lies partly in Michigamme Township

Michigamme Township, Michigan

Michigamme Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 377 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Michigamme is located within the township.-Geography:...

 and partly in Champion Township

Champion Township, Michigan

Champion Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 297.-Geography:...

, both in Marquette County

Marquette County, Michigan

-National protected areas:* Hiawatha National Forest * Huron National Wildlife Refuge* Ottawa National Forest -University:Northern Michigan University is a four-year university, established in 1899, located in Marquette, Michigan, on Michigan's Upper Peninsula...

. The park has about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of frontage along the eastern shores of Lake Michigamme

Lake Michigamme

Lake Michigamme, one of Michigan's largest lakes, reaches a depth of over .. It covers in Marquette and Baraga County, Michigan. Van Riper State Park provides public access. The vast majority of the lake lies in Marquette County, with only its westernmost part extending into Baraga County.The...

, and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of frontage along the shores of the Peshekee River

Peshekee River

-References:*...

.

It provides many services, to include:

• Hunting
• Watchable wildlife
• Playground facilities for children
• Restroom facilities
• Indoor environment simulation
• Beach house
• Swimming
• Fishing
• Picnic Area
• Picnic Shelter
• Hiking
• Snowmobile Area
• ATV Area
• Boating access site/launch
• Fishing
• On-site Taxidermist
• Concession store
• Cross Country skiing
• Metal detecting areas

History

This park is named after Dr. Paul Van Riper, who practiced medicine in the area for most of his 91 years, and was involved in the local politics of the region.

External links

• Van Riper State Park Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission...
  
  
• Van Riper State Park Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas)