4 from Illinois fined, banned from Michigan's Pictured Rocks park after vandalism

Melissa Nann Burke, The Detroit News on Mar 11, 2026

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DETROIT — Four people from Illinois accused of vandalizing the cliffs at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior in Michigan were fined and banned from entering the park for a year, the U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday.

The punishment comes after park rangers on patrol came upon several vessels along the cliffs of the Pictured Rocks lakeshore, where the visitors had been carving large letters into the cliff faces and collecting over 100 pounds of rocks with the intent to take them home, according to the announcement by Timothy VerHey, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan.

The rangers cited the Illinois visitors for defacing and collecting park resources, and in December, they were ordered to appear in U.S. District Court in Marquette to answer for the violations. Each was ordered to pay a $500 fine and was banned from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for a year. One of the four individuals was ordered to pay an additional $250 fine for taking the rocks, according to VerHey's office.

“Pictured Rocks is one of Michigan’s iconic natural wonders. 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," VerHey said in a statement.

"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 Chief Ranger Joseph Hughes said the case is an example of how park rangers use marine patrols to investigate criminal violations and protect natural resources.

"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," Hughes said.

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