Campgrounds Emptying Out After Healthy 4th

Campgrounds are clearing out after the holiday weekend.

And in at least one, business didn’t seem to be down even with the rough economy.

Van Riper State Park in Champion had steady traffic over the holiday weekend.

The warm days and cool nights made the conditions ideal for camping.

The park was not filled up.

But Van Riper employee Jason Oles says that’s similar to turnout from the past, so the economic crunch doesn’t seem to be hurting business there.

Most campers at the park are locals.

Campers have also been taking advantage of the new trail from Van Riper into Champion that opened at the beginning of the summer.

It’s proven so popular that plans are in the works to extend it.

Van Riper’s new rustic cabin on Lake Michigamme is now in place, and it’s scheduled to be open for renters later this month.