One of the fundamental guidelines for placing a geocache is Get Permission.

So how do you get permission for your new cache hide? That depends on the location, who owns it, and who manages it.

“By submitting a cache page, you agree that you have all necessary permissions from the landowner or land manager to hide your geocache at that location. As the cache owner, you are responsible for determining who to contact to get permission.”

If it is private property, get permission from the property owner or manager. Ask them directly, if they are on site. If they have a website, you can find their contact information there. For public locations, try the following resources:

First, check the Regional Geocaching Policies Wiki. Reviewers around the world keep the wiki pages for their areas up to date on land policies. This is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to see if geocaches are allowed in your chosen location, and whether there is a permit policy in place for the area. They often include contact information for the agencies you need to reach out to for permission. Bookmark the page for your area so that you can find it again when you need it.

Do you want to place your cache in a park? If a place is designated as park land, there is an agency that manages it. Sometimes part of the park name tells you who manages it. City, County, State, Provincial, National Trusts, and National Parks are managed by the organizations of the same name. The largest parks usually have staff on site and you can ask them directly.

Online search engines are your friend for connecting with these agencies. If you can’t find the agency that manages the property, try contacting the closest agency you can. They can often direct you to the agency you’re looking for. Try contacting the owners of other caches on the same property, and ask them who they contacted about permission for their cache. If you have viewed your local regional wiki and are not having success with identifying the land manager, ask your local reviewer. They may be able to point you in the right direction.

After you have identified the agency you want to contact for permission, be prepared. You will likely have to meet directly with someone at the property. They will want to know what you’re using for a container and where/how you plan to hide the cache. Be ready to tell them about your plan for maintenance, and adjust that if they want something different. Land managers have the final say about your cache hide and location, so your cheerful cooperation is important. For them, you are representing the geocaching community. Their experience with you and how you care for your cache may impact how they feel about future hides in the area they manage.

After you have received permission for your cache location, you can place your container and finish your cache page. Be sure to explain the permission details to your reviewer when you submit it for publication. After it passes review, you will soon be reading the FTF log on your new cache!