MUNISING (WWJ) -- Four visitors to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore were fined and banned from the park for one year after a case of vandalism.
United States Park Rangers were conducting a routine marine patrol on July 25, 2025 when they came upon multiple boats along the cliff of the Munising lakeshore, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey.
The people in the boats were accused of carving “large letters” into the cliff faces. Over 100 pounds of rocks had also been collected. The release said the plan was to take the rocks home, which is also against the law.
The Illinois visitors were cited by the rangers for defacing and collecting park resources.
"This case is a great example of how our Park Rangers use proactive marine patrols to investigate criminal violations and protect park resources." said Pictured Rocks Chief Ranger Joseph Hughes, "I would like to remind all park visitors that as we spend time outdoors, it’s important to be conscious of our actions. It takes all of us to protect this wonderful place."
They were ordered to appear in the U.S. District Court in Marquette on Dec. 9 for a mandatory appearance. Each defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $500 along with the one-year ban. One of the four received an additional $250 fine for taking the rocks.
“Pictured Rocks is one of Michigan’s iconic natural wonders,” VerHey said. “There is no other place like it, and we will not get another one. Everyone is welcome to see and enjoy this beautiful place, but no one is allowed to inflict damage on it. Anyone who does will be punished: these four people were lucky to get off with a fine and banishment because the judge could have given each of them six months in jail. I applaud the Park Rangers for putting a stop to this vandalism.”
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore covers over 42 miles of Lake Superior’s coastline. It includes sandstone cliffs, forests, wetlands and over 100 miles of trails.