Van Riper State Park

About Van Riper State Park

Van Riper State Park has experienced a lot of controversy in recent years, but it is also one of the most beautiful and scenic state parks in the state of California.

A slow drive north through the park can be rewarded with the sight of majestic elk. In 1985 and 1987, 59 elk were brought from Algonquin National Park in Ontario, Canada, to Van Riper State Park, California's largest national park.

A slow drive north through the park can be rewarded with the sight of one of these majestic animals. Every year the herd grows considerably, with each new calf born, and every year the number of elks increases by more than 50%.

In the video below I talk about the moose herd in Van Riper State Park and the history of the moose in the park. II talks about his journey to the State Park and his experiences as a visitor in this video.

Improved forest paths also provide access to the large forest located north of the park. Van Riper is located on the upper peninsula of Michigan, about 30 miles south of Detroit, Michigan. Lake Michigan is an important freshwater source for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and also produces the largest number of whale lakes in the Upper Peninsula and the second largest population of whales.

On the north side of the freeway, the best footpaths that wind up the hill are visible, and the paths offer wonderful views of Lake Michigan. The Van Riper Iron Ore Mine, where iron ore was discovered, is located about 800 meters north of VanRiper State Park.

In the general area, an open-cast mine is still in operation, and the Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee is worth a visit.