Just in time for the busy summer travel season, a reader told me about a free, “clandestine” activity with mass appeal. Interested in finding secret attractions on your next solo sojourn? Maybe you prefer a group activity closer to home— or just need to keep the kids entertained on long travel days. Geocaching— an outdoor activity that’s exploding in popularity— offers something for everyone but still remains largely under the radar by design. So exactly what is geocaching? Keep reading to learn all about this secretive, worldwide craze and how you can join the fun.
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is essentially a worldwide, outdoor “treasure” hunt aided by a smart phone or other GPS device. To date, more than 3 million specially designed weatherproof containers— ranging in size from your little finger to a standard storage box— have been hidden across all seven continents. Registered players, called geocachers, can access each cache’s approximate GPS coordinates and a clue to its whereabouts online or via a smart phone app. The coordinates, and the app’s map and compass, get you within 30 feet of the cache. From there, you’re on your own.
Various Levels of Difficulty
All caches are hidden above ground. But they can be out in the open or cunningly concealed behind loose bricks, in a fake branch, or by a variety of camouflaged devices. Some— like fake magnetic bolts on a bridge— are diabolically disguised. Others require you to solve a riddle, puzzle, or challenge to access them. Each cache’s degree of concealment is rated for difficulty from 1 to 5. So is the surrounding terrain you must cross to access it. You select what suits you from a map of caches in your chosen search area.
Once found, you open the cache and enter your username on the enclosed log book (or micro-scroll) as proof of your success. Then you enter your achievement online for official credit. Caches may be placed only with the verified permission of the property owner or manager, so you needn’t worry about trespassing. Just be sure to leave the cache exactly as you found it.
Clandestine Maneuvers
Secrecy is always paramount with geocaching. You never want to be observed uncovering a cache. That’s partly to maintain the surprise for other geocachers who may be on your heels. But it’s also to thwart “muggles” — nonplayers who may swipe, move, or otherwise interfere with the cache once they spot you searching for, or opening, it.
Rewards and Trackables
Bragging rights are your primary reward for finding a cache. But some containers hold small prizes, called swag. You’re welcome to exchange any swag item for something of equal or greater value.
In some cases, the cache contains trackables or “travel bugs”— variously themed coins, medallions, and pendants with unique serial numbers. Any player can remove a trackable from a cache but must record the removal online or in the app. Then he/she has two weeks to hide the travel bug in a different cache and log its new location. The trackable’s movements are preserved online for the life of the device; the originator gets an alert every time it travels. I was surprised to see how far the medallion I recently found has journeyed since it first went into circulation in Ohio in 2016.
A variety of travel bugs can be purchased at the official geocaching website. I bought five to launch on upcoming trips, with the goal of seeing how far— and to how many countries— each one will travel.
Level Up Your Game
In its most basic form, geocaching is a high-tech scavenger hunt. But if you relish a physical or mental challenge, it can be much so much more than that. Some caches require you to climb or cross difficult terrain, for example, or enter caves. (Remember— each cache has a difficulty rating, so you can choose what you’re comfortable with.) Others require you to complete several stages, where one challenge leads to another until you ultimately reach the cache.
The official rules require all caches to be locally maintained, so cache owners often conceal them at intriguing spots known only to residents. Along the way, they treat players to scenic trails and beautiful vistas that typical tourists miss. A cache was even hidden aboard the International Space Station, which also hosted a travel bug. (I’d like to get my hands on that one!)
Geocaching Variations
Geocaching continues to evolve. One variation, called an EarthCache, leads you to a geological point of interest and poses a series of questions that can only be answered when you find the spot. Once you submit the correct answers online or in the app (sometimes with a required photo), the cache owner credits your profile with a successful find.
A new Adventure Lab is in development that will introduce team geocaching, dispense with the requirement for weather-proof containers, and permit both outdoor and indoor caches.
Popularity of Geocaching
Geocaching began in Oregon in 2000. By 2010, one million caches were in place around the world. It took just three more years to reach two million caches. The launch of the geocaching app in 2016— translated into 24 languages— propelled the activity to new heights. Today there are three million active players in 196 countries. And 2022— the latest year for which statistics are available— logged the most cache finds ever. Geocachers in the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Great Britain recorded the most activity.
How to Start Geocaching
The activity’s official website is geocaching.com. To get started, simply register a username and password there. It’s free unless you choose the premium membership for an annual fee of $39.99. (Premium membership did reveal a substantially greater number of caches in my local area— and in other countries I plan to visit in the coming year.) The site is easy to navigate and offers a brief video tutorial to get you on your way. And if you decide to go all in, you can purchase various trackables and concealment devices at the website, too.
Final Thoughts
Just four weeks ago I asked, “What is geocaching?” Now I’ve scouted several enticing EarthCaches for my upcoming trip to a tiny island in the Caribbean. And I’ve found, and prepared to launch, my first travel bugs. As an avid hiker, I know I’ll be checking the app for inspiration on other trips, too. But geocaching is also well suited to weekends at home or day trips with restless kids— it really is a fun, flexible activity with mass appeal. Just keep it a secret.
Looking to spend even more time outdoors? Learn how to get free entry to all US national parks!
