From Airpods to Invisalign, here are some of this year's most funky finds at Yellowstone National Park
Park staff are discovering some unexpected treasures, on top of a whole lot of trash, during cleanup efforts.
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THE TAKEAWAY
- Yellowstone National Park staff found five AirPods, six Invisalign retainers and 15 fake nails during this year's cleanup.
- The park’s geology team has removed more than 20,100 pieces of trash, 5,600 rocks and sticks and over 280 hats from hydrothermal areas.
- Park rangers also collected more than $18 in coins during the summer of 2026.
As summer winds down, Yellowstone National Park staff are cleaning up more than just the usual trash. They’re also finding some weird items scattered around the park’s hydrothermal areas.
From AirPods and Invisalign retainers to fake nails, park staff are discovering some unexpected treasures, on top of a whole lot of trash, during their cleanup efforts.
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Hats collected by the Yellowstone National Park Geology Team and other park staff from hydrothermal areas during the summer 2026 season. (Margery Price/National Park Service / FOX Weather)
So far this year, Yellowstone’s cleanup crews have found five AirPods, six Invisalign retainers and 15 fake nails. And that’s just the beginning.
The park’s geology team has removed more than 20,100 pieces of trash, 5,600 rocks and sticks, and over 280 hats from hydrothermal areas around Yellowstone during the summer of 2026.
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Coins, bills, and jewelry collected by the Yellowstone National Park Geology Team. (Margery Price/ National Park Service / FOX Weather)
"There are a lot of cool caps to choose from," the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said in a press release. "Favorites this year are a FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup hat, a baseball cap with "COWBOY HAT" on it, and a Roblox bucket hat from St. Kitts and Nevis."
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According to the USGS, any reusable hats are washed and donated to local organizations.
Park rangers also collected more than $18 in coins during the summer of 2026, reminding visitors that Yellowstone’s hot springs are not wishing wells.
Throwing coins into hydrothermal features can clog vents and damage bacterial and algal formations. That damage can take months to years to undo.
Frequent finds collected by the Yellowstone National Park Geology Team from hydrothermal areas during the summer season. (Margery Price/National Park Service / FOX Weather)
The park’s geology team said the most common items found in hydrothermal areas, besides plastic and paper trash, include 54 camera lens caps, 47 hair ties, 42 pencils, 36 sunglasses, 30 hotel key cards and 17 binkies.
But some of the discoveries left staff scratching their heads.
The cleanup crew found three Delta flight pins, an inhaler, three golf tees and a Uno card.
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Visitors aren’t just losing everyday essentials. Children’s toys and trinkets are also making their way into Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas.
More bizarre Yellowstone National Park Geology Team finds from hydrothermal areas. (Margery Price/ National Park Service / FOX Weather)
The team collected eight mini race cars, three bouncy balls, 22 assorted figurines and six Junior Ranger badges.
Other kid-friendly finds included a rainbow tie-dye fidget spinner, two rubber ducks and a McDonald’s toy from 2010.
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Some of the most memorable discoveries, however, were seven instant and Polaroid pictures, including several showing the very hydrothermal features where they were found.
The team also recovered six Yellowstone pressed pennies, four Pokémon cards and figurines, and a tiny, 2-inch copy of The Vampire Diaries.
Tourists visit the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. (Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images / Getty Images)
And for those wondering about the grosser side of the cleanup, staff also found floss picks and a lump of glittery pink children’s slime stuck to a handful of geyserite sinter pieces.
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While some of the items may seem funny or harmless, Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas are fragile and dangerous environments.
Park officials remind visitors to stay on designated boardwalks and trails, keep personal belongings secure and never throw objects into hot springs or geysers.