Yellowstone's Geology Program removed more than 20,100 pieces of trash and about 5,600 rocks and sticks from hydrothermal areas in 2026, with hats the most common item (over 280 recovered). Crews found everyday items like sunglasses and hotel key cards alongside unusual finds such as Invisalign retainers, Polaroids and a tiny copy of The Vampire Diaries. Officials warn that foreign debris can permanently alter hot springs and geysers — Morning Glory Pool is a well-known example — and urge visitors to secure belongings and dispose of waste responsibly.
Yellowstone Crews Remove More Than 20,100 Pieces of Trash From Hot Springs — Over 280 Hats Recovered
Common debris found in Yellowstone National Park's hydrothermal areas include camera lens caps, hair ties, hotel keys and more.Credit: Margery Price/National Park Service
Yellowstone National Park's Geology Program has removed a record volume of litter and debris from the park's fragile hydrothermal areas in 2026. Teams working in high-traffic spots such as Midway Geyser Basin and the Old Faithful area report they recovered more than 20,100 pieces of trash and roughly 5,600 rocks and sticks from thermal features this season.
Over 280 hats were found in Yellowstone National Park's hydrothermal areas so far this year.Credit: Margery Price/National Park Service
Notable Finds
The most frequently recovered single item was hats — more than 280 were pulled from hot springs and surrounding ground. Examples include a FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup hat, a cap labeled "COWBOY HAT," and a Roblox-style bucket hat from St. Kitts and Nevis. Yellowstone's Geology Program says hats that remain wearable will be laundered and donated to local community organizations after the season.
Common items found in Yellowstone National Park's hydrothermal areas include bracelets and coins.Credit: Margery Price/National Park Service
Crews cataloged an assortment of everyday objects and surprising discoveries: 54 camera lens caps, 47 hair ties, 42 pencils, 36 pairs of sunglasses, 20 hotel key cards and 17 bikinis. Teams also recovered a little more than $18 in coins and foreign currency including pesos, yen, euros and Canadian dollars.
Items found in Yellowstone National Park's hydrothermal areas include children's toys, AirPods, and a tiny copy of 'The Vampire Diaries.'Credit: Margery Price/National Park Service
Unusual and Unsanitary Items
Park staff described some of the "grossest" finds: six Invisalign retainers, 15 fake nails, numerous dental floss picks and a child’s pink slime toy. Toys left behind by young visitors included eight miniature race cars, three bouncy balls, 22 assorted figurines and a McDonald’s toy dated to 2010. The crews also recovered seven Polaroid photos, six pressed Yellowstone pennies, four Pokémon cards and a tiny, roughly 2-inch copy of L.J. Smith’s The Vampire Diaries.
Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National ParkCredit: Ignacio Palacios/Getty
Why This Matters
Introducing foreign material into hydrothermal features can cause lasting damage. According to the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, debris can clog subsurface water flows, block or divert runoff channels, and introduce chemical or sediment contamination that permanently alters hot springs, geysers, mudpots and fumaroles. Park staff point to Morning Glory Pool in the Upper Geyser Basin, which changed color in the 20th century after visitors threw objects and trash into it.
How Visitors Can Help
Yellowstone's Geology Program urges visitors to "stash your trash" — secure small, windblown items like wrappers and tissues in pockets, bags or bins, and properly dispose of waste. In windy areas, the team recommends tightening or removing hats and keeping personal items zipped or clipped. Most debris removal is carried out by trained geology staff who follow strict safety protocols for working around hot, unstable ground; in the past the team has used controlled draining methods to safely extract items from delicate features such as Morning Glory Pool.
"Foreign objects don’t just look bad — they can permanently change these unique geothermal systems," said park geology staff. "Please secure your belongings and pack out your trash."
Help us improve.
