Doing THIS At Sleeping Bear Dunes Could Cost You $3000

When I graduated high school, my friends and I celebrated by going up to Sleeping Bear Dunes to camp for a weekend. The first day was great. We all went hiking through the dunes, rolled down said dunes, and swam in the lake we worked so hard to walk to. The trip ended in catastrophe when a massive storm came through, broke our tent, and left us to fend for ourselves in the pouring rain. But the dunes themselves were great!

However, if you were to go out to the dunes and bite off more than you can chew while traversing the steep dunes, you could face a huge fine.

Sleeping Bear Dunes' $3000 Warning

Trekking across the Dunes is not for the light of heart. There is a pretty well-worn trail from a parking lot that is ~3 miles long each way that many people tend to hike, but there are plenty of areas where people go off on their own.

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There is one area in particular with a very steep incline that, while going down might be fun, getting back up can be pretty challenging. If you're unable to get back up, it could cost you $3000 to get rescued by the US Coast Guard. This sign is stationed at the scenic overlook No. 9 along the Pier Stocking Scenic Sign. Signage like this is to keep both visitors and rescuers from potential danger.

You've been warned. Rescues at Sleeping Bear Dunes are $3,000
byu/MemorableKidsMoments infunnysigns

Plenty of places around the dunes with beach access can be safely reached, but other areas with steep hills like this can result in a 2-hour hike back up the steep hill. If you're unable to get back up, it'll cost you a pretty penny to get helped back up. The hill can be seen below and trust me. This hill is not for the faint of heart.

Comment byu/MemorableKidsMoments from discussion infunnysigns

If you want to avoid getting a fine, it's best to take Robert Frost's more traveled trail.