Hold onto your hat! Yellowstone National Park retrieved 280 caps from hydrothermal vents this summer

Popular Science, September 14, 2026 — In addition to hats, lost items at Yellowstone include hair ties, dozens of lens caps, AirPods, and an inhaler.

With more than 4.5 million visitors from around the world every year, sightseers arrive well prepared to admire the hotsprings, geysers, scenic lookouts, and wildlife.

But experts agree, there is only so much anyone can do about life’s little unexpected accidents. Each season, Yellowstone’s gusty winds are responsible for blowing away hundreds of hats, maps, and even sunglasses from the heads and hands of onlookers. Each season, park workers scour the grounds to gather any lost items that land far from the walkways and trails.

It turns out the 2026 tally  isn’t quite as large as last year’s haul. Once the 2026 season draws to a close, all of the collected hats will be cleaned and donated to local clothing organizations.

Read more about it: popsci.com

Image: Yellowstone