10 Historical Legends of Yellowstone - Number 8 is Shrouded in Mystery

3. **The Curse of the Obsidian Cliffs**

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The striking Obsidian Cliffs have inspired many legends, with the most enduring being the curse associated with removing the shiny black volcanic glass from the park. According to the myth, visitors who take pieces of obsidian from the cliffs will suffer misfortune until the stone is returned. Over the years, park rangers have received hundreds of letters containing returned obsidian fragments, along with stories of bad luck. The legend is thought to have roots in Native American beliefs about the sacred nature of the material, which was highly valued for tools and ceremonial objects. Tales of mysterious accidents, unexplained illnesses, and even ghostly encounters experienced by those who removed the obsidian have become an integral part of the curse narrative.