Yellowstone Crews Collect Record 23,000 Pieces of Trash from Thermal Features

Yellowstone National Park crews have collected a record-breaking number of items, over 23,000 pieces of trash and natural debris, from its thermal features and boardwalks by early October. The extensive cleanup effort, managed by the park's geology team, has yielded an unusual assortment of foreign objects, including international coins, golf tees, an inhaler, five AirPods, three Delta flight pins, and a single Uno card.

In addition to manufactured items, the Yellowstone Geology Program retrieved approximately 10,700 rocks and sticks, more than 360 hats, numerous camera lens caps, hair ties, and pacifiers. Dental retainers and rubber ducks were also among the quirky finds. This year's collection marks a significant increase, setting a new record for the amount of debris removed.

Yellowstone National Park saw over 4.7 million visitors in 2025, contributing to the accumulation of debris, particularly in high-traffic areas such as Old Faithful and the Midway Geyser Basin. While some items may have been unintentionally dropped and carried by the park's strong winds, others are believed to have been deliberately discarded.

"We believe that most of those are accidental," Margery Price, a physical science technician with the Yellowstone National Park Geology Program, told National Geographic.

The presence of foreign material, whether accidental or intentional, poses a risk to the park's fragile hydrothermal features. Debris can clog water supplies, pollute the water, or block runoff channels, according to the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Even natural materials like rocks and sticks must be removed to prevent clogging.

Discarded items can also alter the delicate chemistry of the springs. Chemicals from microplastics, for example, can seep into the water, affecting the microbes responsible for the unique colors of the thermal pools. The Morning Glory Pool, named for its resemblance to the blue flower, experienced a significant color change in the 20th century due to trash and other items being tossed into its waters. Park staff referred to the pool as the "garbage can" as early as the 1950s.

The accumulation of debris cooled the water temperature, allowing orange and yellow-colored bacteria to thrive, which altered the spring's once clear blue appearance. In an effort to restore its original hue, park rangers partially drained Morning Glory in the 1970s to remove the accumulated debris, though the pool's blue color did not fully return.

The park's geology team is trained in safe navigation practices for hydrothermal areas, enabling them to conduct these challenging cleanups. Despite the efforts, the ongoing influx of visitors presents a continuous challenge in maintaining the pristine condition of these natural wonders.