Geocaching

Geocache Listing Requirements / Guidelines

Last Updated: December 6, 2011

Introduction

Prior to placing and submitting any and all geocaches, please read the following guidelines so that your geocache can be published promptly. This page is an overview and details can be read by following the appropriate links to our Help Center. If your geocache does not adhere to all of our guidelines, it may be placed on hold, temporarily disabled or permanently archived.

Use of Geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer. The geocache owner retains all responsibility for their geocache listings. Geocaching is a constantly changing and evolving activity and as a result these guidelines are subject to change.

At times a geocache may meet the requirements for publication on the site but the reviewers, as experienced geocachers, may see additional concerns not listed in these guidelines that you as a geocache placer may not have noticed. The reviewer may bring these additional concerns to your attention and offer suggestions so that the geocache can be published.

Please be advised that there is no precedent for placing geocaches. This means that the past publication of a similar geocache in and of itself is not a valid justification for the publication of a new geocache. If a geocache has been published and violates any guidelines listed below, you are encouraged to report it. However, if the geocache was placed prior to the date when a guideline was issued or updated, the geocache is likely to be grandfathered and allowed to stand as is.

Additionally, you may want to read the Help Center article called Geocache Ownership: A Long-Term Relationship; it's full of useful tips for geocache owners. The Help Center article called Review Process: Hiding a Geocache provides a technical explanation of what to expect during geocache submission.

If you need to make special arrangements for a novel idea, contact Groundspeak before placing and reporting the geocache on Geocaching.com. If you need to appeal the decisions of our reviewers, contact Groundspeak and categorize your message for the Appeals group. We look forward to assisting you.

Table of Contents

I. PLACEMENT Guidelines: Placement guidelines govern the physical location of a geocache.

The more geocaches that you have found, the better you will understand the various elements that make up a great geocaching experience. This knowledge will be invaluable when you place a hide, and likely make your geocache more enjoyable for the community. We encourage you to find at least twenty geocaches before you choose to hide one.

1. Fundamental Placement Guidelines
   1. All local laws apply.
   2. You assure us that you have the landowner's and/or land manager's permission before you hide any geocache, whether placed on private or public property.
   3. Geocaches are never buried.
   4. Geocache placements do not deface or destroy public or private property.
   5. Wildlife is not harmed in the pursuit of geocaching.
   6. Geocaches are not placed on school property or military bases.
   7. Geocaches should generally be at least 0.10 miles or 161 meters apart.
   8. Geocaches are allowed in space, other planets and spacecraft.
2. Other Placement Considerations
   1. Select an appropriate location and container.
   2. Label your geocache.
3. Inappropriate or Non-publishable Placements
   1. Groundspeak respects the wishes of land owners and land managers.
   2. A geocache may be disabled or archived.
   3. Additional regulations and laws that apply only to your country and region may further restrict geocache placement.
   4. Instructions for geocaches that are on hold, temporarily disabled or archived.

II. LISTING Guidelines: Listing guidelines cover the requirements that you, as a geocache owner, need to adhere to in order for your geocache to be successfully published on Geocaching.com.

Before a geocache is published on the website, a volunteer reviewer will look at the page for compliance with these guidelines. The physical geocache site is not verified. As the geocache owner, you retain all responsibility for your geocache listings and you are responsible for the placement and care of your geocache.

1. Listing Guidelines for All Geocaches
   1. Technical Requirements
      • Listing must contain GPS coordinates.
      • Geocache listings that require additional website registration, installs or downloads are generally not publishable.
   2. Geocache Maintenance
      • Owner is responsible for geocache page upkeep.
      • Owner is responsible for visits to the physical location.
   3. Geocache Contents
      • Geocache containers include a logsheet.
      • Contents are family-friendly.
      • Contents are appropriate for outdoor life.
   4. Solicitation and Commercial Content
      • Geocaches do not solicit for any purpose.
      • Commercial geocaches are disallowed.
   5. Geocache Permanence: Geocaches are placed for the long term.
   6. Submitting a Geocache Listing
      • Placing a large number of geocaches to be published on the same date requires advance planning.
      • Geocache must be in place before you enable the listing.
      • Communicate with your reviewer.
2. Additional Listing Guidelines for Specific Geocache Types. Not all geocache types have additional guidelines, and guidelines that cover all geocaches still apply.
   1. Multi-Caches
   2. Puzzle Caches
   3. Letterbox Hybrids
   4. Wherigo™ Caches
   5. Event Caches
   6. Mega-Event Caches
   7. CITO Event Caches
   8. EarthCaches™
   9. Virtual and Webcam Caches

III. LOGGING Guidelines: Logging Guidelines cover the requirements that must be fulfilled in order to log a find.

1. Logging of All Physical Geocaches
2. Logging of Non-Physical Geocaches
   1. EarthCache Logging Guidelines
   2. Virtual Cache Logging Guidelines
   3. Webcam Cache Logging Guidelines