Tourists Threw So Much Trash Into This Yellowstone Hot Spring, It Changed Color Forever

That Gorgeous Spring Used to Be Blue

Yellowstone’s Morning Glory Pool earned its name from its once-brilliant blue color, matching the morning glory flower. But decades of visitor trash have cooled its waters and shifted its famous blue to a mix of yellow and green. Here’s the story.

You’ll Find It Near Old Faithful

Around 23 feet deep and 25 feet across, Morning Glory Pool is in Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin, about a mile and a half from Old Faithful geyser, with water hot enough to cook you at 157°F (69°C).

This funnel-shaped hot spring gets fed by underground heat, creating a constant flow of super-heated water that bubbles up to the surface.

It Was Named After a Blue Flower

In 1883, Mrs. E.N. McGowan (wife of the Assistant Park Superintendent) gave the pool its name after noticing it looked just like a morning glory flower. The round shape and bright blue color matched the trumpet-shaped flower perfectly, and the name stuck around.

The Pool Was Once Bright Blue

That’s a photo of the Morning Glory Pool in 1890, taken by Frank Jayne Haynes. Early visitors described water that was “crystal-clear blue” and seemed to glow from within.

In hot springs, color links directly to temperature. The hottest springs appear blue because extreme heat kills most microorganisms.

It Got Nicknamed “The Garbage Can”

From the late 1800s onward, tourists treated Morning Glory like a giant wishing well. They tossed in coins, clothes, and random junk that had no business being in a natural wonder.

By the early 1900s, this bad habit was already causing visible damage. By the 1950s, the pool was nicknamed the ‘Garbage Can’. Some visitors even carved their names into the delicate mineral edges.

The Garbage Changed the Water Temperature

All that trash sank and blocked the Morning Glory’s main vent. The blockage restricted hot water flow from below, causing the pool’s temperature to drop.

The cooler water created perfect conditions for yellow and orange bacteria to move in where they couldn’t survive before. Eventually, the thermophilic bacteria changed the pool’s colors permanently, spreading from the edges inward as the temperature zones shifted.

The First Clean Up Was in 1950

Park officials finally took action in 1950 with their first major cleanup. Workers siphoned water from the pool and found a bizarre collection: 76 handkerchiefs, bath towels, socks, underwear, 76 bottles, and $86 in coins. They pulled out 112 different objects in total.

Despite their efforts, some items had been there so long they’d become part of the mineral deposits.

Even Draining Morning Glory Did Not Work

Another cleanup effort was launched in the 1970s when rangers partially drained the spring. Workers wore protective gear against the heat and gases while removing decades of accumulated trash.

The damage, however, was permanent. Bacterial communities had changed for good, with orange and yellow microbes in the cooler areas. Park biologists noted they could remove physical trash but couldn’t restore the original ecosystem.

The Damage Is Permanent

The Park Service launched its biggest cleanup in 1991. Former ranger Jeff Henry helped with the operation, which used fire trucks to pump down the water level while workers in climbing harnesses retrieved debris from below.

They found thousands of coins, various trash items, and even cameras and park badges. Despite this thorough cleaning, scientists observed the central blue area had shrunk, inhabited by bacterial colonies leaving traces in yellow and red.

Litterers Now Face Fines & Jail Time

You’ll face hefty fines (up to $5,000) and possible jail time for throwing anything into Yellowstone’s thermal features, including Morning Glory. Educational signs explain the damage from past vandalism, and rangers regularly patrol the area.

But littering has reduced significantly in recent decades. People now often report others who break the rules. While Morning Glory will likely never return to its original blue state, the park remains committed to preventing further damage.

Morning Glory When It Was Blue

Here’s another look at Morning Glory in all her original beauty. No one will likely see it again.

Visiting Morning Glory

To see this famous pool yourself, walk the 1.8-mile Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk starting near Old Faithful. The path stays relatively flat and accommodates wheelchairs, making it one of the more accessible attractions in the park.

Don’t miss nearby features like Castle Geyser and Riverside Geyser while you’re in the area. And please don’t litter, and don’t be shy about calling out anyone who does.