If you lose something while visiting Yellowstone National Park, there’s apparently a chance it could end up in a hot spring.
Yellowstone’s Geology team has already removed more than 20,100 pieces of trash, 5,600 rocks and sticks and 280 hats from the park’s hydrothermal areas this year, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
And some of their finds are downright bizarre.
Staff have pulled out five AirPods, six Invisalign retainers, three golf tees, an inhaler, an Uno card, 15 fake nails and a glob of glittery pink slime.
Then there are the things visitors lose more regularly: 54 camera lens caps, 47 hair ties, 42 pencils, 36 pairs of sunglasses, 20 hotel key cards and 17 pacifiers.
Kids have contributed to the collection, too. Staff found eight miniature race cars, three bouncy balls, 22 figurines, six Junior Ranger badges, two rubber ducks and even a McDonald’s toy dating back to 2010.
More than $18 in coins has also been recovered, including U.S. currency, pesos, yen, euros and Canadian money. Park officials remind visitors that Yellowstone’s hot springs are not wishing wells.
All that junk isn’t just unsightly. Foreign objects can clog water supplies, divert runoff and introduce chemicals or sediment that can permanently alter Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features. Morning Glory Pool famously changed color in part because of trash and other objects tossed into it over the years.
Yellowstone officials are asking visitors to secure hats and other loose belongings, stash trash where the wind can’t grab it and stay on designated trails and boardwalks.
And if you’re tempted to toss a penny into a Yellowstone hot spring for good luck — keep the change.
Photo: USGS/public domain
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