Geologists at Yellowstone removed a record haul of debris during the 2026 season, extracting more than 20,100 pieces of trash and about 5,600 rocks and sticks from hydrothermal areas. Notable recoveries included over 280 hats, camera lens caps, hotel key cards, AirPods and unusual items such as Lego figures and small Jesus figurines. The USGS warns that foreign objects can damage geothermal features, and reusable hats will be cleaned and donated after the season.
Yellowstone Geologists Pull Record Haul From Hot Springs — Over 20,100 Pieces of Trash Retrieved
Hats collected by the Yellowstone National Park Geology Team and other park staff from hydrothermal areas during the summer 2026 season (Geology Team truck for scale). (Margery Price / NPS via SWNS)
By Dean Murray
Two small Jesus figurines and Lego Star Wars stormtrooper are among a treasure trove of trash cleaned up by staff. (Margery Price / NPS via SWNS)
Geologists working in Yellowstone National Park have removed a record amount of visitor debris from the park’s hydrothermal features during the 2026 season. As of early September 2026, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the park’s geology team had extracted more than 20,100 pieces of trash and roughly 5,600 rocks and sticks from hydrothermal areas across Yellowstone.
Coins, bills, and jewelry collected by the Yellowstone National Park Geology Team from hydrothermal areas during the summer season in 2026. (Margery Price / NPS via SWNS)
Recovered items ranged from everyday lost belongings to unusual finds: more than 280 hats, 54 camera lens caps, 20 hotel key cards, five sets of AirPods, 36 pairs of sunglasses, a Lego Star Wars stormtrooper, two small Jesus figurines and many other curiosities that had fallen into hot springs and runoff channels.
More bizarre Yellowstone National Park Geology Team finds from hydrothermal areas during the 2026 summer seasonincluding golf tees, fortune cookie fortunes, AirPods, rubber ducks, Invisalign retainers and two small Jesus figurines. (Margery Price / NPS via SWNS)
"Today, the park's Geology Program staff, trained in safe hydrothermal navigation, do the bulk of this removal work, roving the park's hydrothermal areas to take out trash, hats, rocks, sticks, and anything else that doesn't belong — all in addition to their other work of chemical and temperature monitoring, hydrothermal area incident assessment, and public education!" the USGS said.
Yellowstone receives more than 4.5 million visitors annually, and park personnel say constant cleanup is required to protect the park’s delicate geothermal features. Over the decades, staff have used a variety of techniques to retrieve foreign objects; on at least one occasion workers partially drained Morning Glory Pool — the park’s famously colorful hot spring — to make it easier to recover debris.
A stunning geyser erupts in a picturesque scene at Yellowstone National Park.(Photo by Lauren Dolding via Pexels)
The USGS emphasizes that foreign material can damage or permanently alter hydrothermal features by clogging water supplies, blocking or diverting runoff channels, or introducing chemicals and sediment into the system. After the 2026 season concludes, any hats that are reusable will be washed and donated to local organizations.
Notable Finds And Totals From The 2026 Season
- Hats: 280+
- Trash Items (assorted): 20,100+
- Rocks and Sticks: ~5,600
- Camera Lens Caps: 54
- Sunglasses: 36
- Hair Ties: 47
- Pencils: 42
- Hotel Key Cards: 20
- AirPods (sets): 5
- Invisalign Retainers: 6
- Assorted Figurines (including Lego): 22
- Novelty & Misc. Items (e.g., McDonald's toy from 2010, a copy of "The Vampire Diaries"): multiple
Park officials urge visitors to secure belongings — especially on windy days — and to "stash your trash" while traveling through hydrothermal zones. Simple precautions such as tightening or removing hats and keeping small items zipped or stowed can help protect Yellowstone’s fragile geothermal features.
Help us improve.
