Geocaching (2024)

FAQs

What is geocaching and how does it work? ›

Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches.

In essence, geocaching is the process of hiding and locating small containers using only GPS coordinates. Variations on this idea exist, but this is the essential goal. The main point of geocaching is to get more people outside and to introduce them to the world around them.

If you take an item, be sure to replace it with another item of equal or greater value. Since geocaching is a family activity, be sure that what you leave is family friendly and appropriate.

Note that creating a geocaching.com account and the basic app are both free, but you'll also see an optional fee-based premium membership that offers additional features. Caches use a 5-star rating for the level of difficulty and the terrain, so start out at the easy end of that range.

Laws and legislation

Some cities, towns, and recreation areas allow geocaches with few or no restrictions, but others require compliance with lengthy permitting procedures.

The etiquette around geocaching SWAG is simple. If you take something, leave something behind of equal or greater value.

Explosives, fireworks, ammunition, lighters, knives (including pocket knives and multi-tools), drugs, alcohol and any illicit material should not be placed in a cache.

Rule No. 1: Keep Safe • Stay far away from road traffic and railroad crossings.

Geocaching is an illegal activity in National Forest wilderness if personal property is left unattended. Caches are not allowed in wilderness areas.

What do people put in geocache boxes? ›

Geocaches contain inexpensive items such as trinkets, toys, coins, or stamps. Usually these items are not of great monetary value, but they can be of sentimental value to the collector. You will also find a logbook in the geocaches. The geocacher enters his name and the date on which he found the geocache.

If you place a cache on private land, you must ask permission before hiding your cache. If you place it on public lands, contact the land manager to find out about any rules or restrictions.

Although individuals under 16 are welcome to use our services, their parents or guardians must own and manage their accounts.

Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache.

Great family fun

This is a great geocaching app, and geocaching is a fun family activity. It can simple or complicated as you choose, can get you outdoors and foster teamwork. But an adult should always be present with kids looking for a cache.

Follow Leave No Trace guidelines in the natural environment. Be careful of the area around the cache—don't trample the grounds, rip up sprinkler heads, etc., in your frenzy to find the cache. Follow all laws and regulations. Never enter private property without permission.

Geocaching.com has several powerful tools to select caches to find. Use search and map filters to search for geocache types, difficulty and terrain, Favorite points, and more. Premium members can save searches as Lists and access them on web and mobile.

Perishables such as food and candy are not allowed. 7. No weapons such as pepper spray, knives, guns, explosives, fireworks, flammable material, lighters, pocket knives, ammunition, or swords may be cached.

Geocaches contain inexpensive items such as trinkets, toys, coins, or stamps. Usually these items are not of great monetary value, but they can be of sentimental value to the collector.