Have you ever wanted your geocaching adventures to be spookier? Do you find it too easy to geocache during the day?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, then night caches may be for you!

Learn about the basics of night caching and how to get started on a spooky nighttime adventure with these tips:

Geocaching transforms into a different world after dark; the hiding spots visible during daytime become inky black pools of nothingness, obscuring any geocache that might be hiding within. Under the cover of darkness, the simplest puzzles turn into perplexing enigmas that feel impossible to solve.

Night caches are the perfect hide for those who like to feel their heart race with adrenaline.

But, what are night caches, exactly?

Despite their difficulty, night caches aren’t just about stumbling around in the darkness. Most commonly, geocachers will need to use tools to follow markers leading to the final location.

Some night caches utilize reflectors to cast back flashlight beams, revealing a hidden path to the cache container. Others use UV pens to hide secret clues that are only revealed with UV lights.

Since multiple waypoints are used to reach GZ, night caches are categorized as Mystery Caches or Multi-Caches. They must include GPS use in some way, but the rest is up to the creativity of the cache owner! Many night cache owners make their finds extra memorable with added spookiness, storytelling, or challenging puzzles along the way.

What do you need to find a night cache?

Every night cache is different, but there are a few tools that will come in handy when preparing for your nocturnal adventure:

• Flashlights (and extra batteries!)
• Headlamps
• UV lights
• Lots of pens (you never know when you might drop one in the dark!)
• A group of friends, your trusted geo-pup, or a security blanket to keep you safe

Of course, the cache page is the best place to check if any other tools are required. The attributes on the cache page will also let you know what to expect.

Using attributes to filter for night caches

Premium members can find nearby night caches by filtering for these specific attributes:

• UV light required
• Night Cache
• Recommended at Night
• Flashlight Required

Try filtering one attribute at a time, or narrow down your search by filtering for both UV light and Flashlight required attributes!

The thrill of night caching can be hard to capture in pictures—there’s nothing quite like experiencing it for yourself!

We recommend grabbing a few geocaching pals (preferably ones that aren’t afraid of the dark), equipping your flashlights, and embarking on a nighttime journey!