This geocache was placed for the local event “Wisconsin’s First Geocache,” a Community Celebration event in 2025. That event was focused on celebrating 25 years of geocaching with a focus on geocaching in Sheboygan County, which technically had the first geocache placed in Wisconsin.
Although that geocache (named “Geocache”) was archived before it was ever found, it has me reflecting on the oldest geocaches that can be found in states across the USA. For geocachers that enjoy travel, these “oldest in the state” caches are a real destination, and are always worth a detour.
For this geocache, I wanted to set up a hide that harkened back to those old Year 2000 caches (usually large containers, moderate hikes, worthy locations), while also giving cachers an opportunity to talk about the old caches they’ve found.
This is a traditional cache, so there are no logging requirements. However, I’m encouraging you to use your log to celebrate the adventures you’ve had to any “oldest in state” caches. Which ones are your favorites? If you haven’t found any yet, you can talk about the oldest geocaches you have found that you would recommend to others.
Oldest in State (that I have found, listed in the order I found them)
- Beverly (Illinois, GC28)
- My first “Oldest in State” find. This was before I paid attention to OiS caches, and hadn’t even really started working on the Jasmer, but I was intrigued that there was an old cache (from the first month of geocaching) near my brother’s house. I remember a long hike with water features and hills, in and out of the woods. There’s a lot to see here, and usually other caches to grab along the way.
- LPS001 (Tennessee, GC132)
- This is only OiS that I logged without knowing its state. I was in Tennessee to adopt a rescue dog, and the surrounding park happened to be our meeting location. The park is beautiful, and the hide is a short stroll down a planked walkway.
- Pike Powder Hike (Wisconsin, GC3B1)
- Wisconsin’s oldest geocache stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other classic OiS caches. It’s not just a long hike in the woods, but it’s in an excellent park, and requires you to deal with some big elevation changes. Be prepared for some great views.
- Indiana’s First (Indiana, GC93)
- I have fond memories of this cache, but it’s not one of the more memorable OiS hides. After parking near a small airport, this is a short walk through a field and into the woods (not very deep).
- Missouri’s First - Watt’s Mill (Missouri, GC37)
- Missouri’s OiS starts in an urban setting (I think I parked at a strip mall), but includes a walk along the river that is brief and pleasant. I know it moved a couple hundred feet away from its original location a few years ago, but I don’t think the experience changed much.
- Tombstone (Texas, GC62)
- A Multi OiS! It can be nerve-wracking to search for three locations when you’re hundreds of miles away from home, but none of the stages are too difficult to complete. This is in the heart of the city, but it’s in a well-kept park near a university campus, so it doesn’t feel like an urban cache.
- Mingo (Kansas, GC30)
- Here it is. The oldest geocache in the world. Honestly, it’s fairly underwhelming. It’s a P&G in MiddleOfNowhere, KS. Obviously, it’s still worth seeking out for historical purposes, but try to make it part of a broader road trip.
- Tarryall (Colorado, GC18)
- Absolutely one of my favorite OiS caches. I fondly recall trying to find the closest possible parking, and still having to walk a good distance alongside unfenced cattle in the mountains. A very easy find at GZ, but beautiful and memorable.
- Tom Sawyer (Kentucky, GC39E)
- This one is named after the surrounding state park (in turn, named after a local judge, not the literary character). This was a moderate hike through gentle hills. Very enjoyable despite the muddy conditions we found in Spring.
- Trussville Civitan - Alabama’s First Geocache (Alabama, GC126)
- I don’t know what much of Alabama looks like, but this was a surprisingly serene walk along a ridge that, if I remember correctly, is essentially there to house power lines.
- Beaver Cache (the beavers have moved on) (Georgia, GC1D)
- This suburban cache feels like a real outlier in the world of OiS caches. It’s decent enough, but if you want a better nature experience, head north for Lake Lanier (GC21, also an oldie from the year 2000) on a charming, wooded peninsula.
- Ancient Lake (Ohio, GC2DBE)
- I would have guessed that this was in a state park, but the map shows that it was just a long walking trail through a wooded area. It was buggy for us in the summer, which encouraged us to run for half of the journey.
- State Game Lands #109 (Pennsylvania, GC184)
- This cache feels somewhat rote compared to most of the other OiS caches. It’s a short walk down on a public trail. For us, the most memorable part was signing the log a few hours after a prominent Wisconsin geocacher that we’d never met. Pure coincidence, but that shows the draw of an OiS.
- Vermont 1 (Vermont, GC86)
- This is the first cache that comes to mind when I hear “oldest in the state.” I think that’s because the hour-plus was the most I’ve spent looking for an OiS, or any other cache for that matter. There’s a satisfying hike to this one, with exceptional views at the top of the hill. If you’re struggling to get from Stage 1 to GZ, don’t be afraid to reach out to previous finders. Lots of cachers have this on watch and are happy to help with coordinates.
- Brenton Point (Rhode Island, GCEC)
- This cache is not far from parking, but it’s in a beautiful oceanside state park. GZ required us to dip inside of a maze of shrubbery that in my memory feels like a little fairy home. Even the drive through the city to reach the park was picturesque and exciting. Highly recommended.
- NH #1 - Mines Follies (New Hampshire, GC9E)
- This is another deliciously scenic trail inside a park. Nothing difficult here, but you’ll likely traverse a few bridges under the New England canopy. Relaxing and rewarding.
- First Mass (Massachusetts, GC74)
- This is almost as “urban” as an OiS gets, but it’s a great hide. You’ll start in a small park, and take a paved path up a winding hill. You’re never far from civilization, but you can still feel connected to nature with this trip.
- Another Brick in the Wall (Connecticut, GCE4)
- This was a shorter hike in the world of OiS caches, but still wooded and attractive. Is it in an arboretum? A bird sanctuary? I’m not sure. We parked at a dead-end guardrail, and hopped on the trail.
- dElAWare 7{1} (Delaware, GC10A)
- A nice walk through a state park. This was two walks for us, because we entered the front of the park and got stuck at the water. Backtracked and parked at the rear of the park for short walk to GZ.
- Capital View (Washington D.C., GCDE1)
- Confession: We did this one late at night during a road trip, and we didn’t even slow the car down.
- Alvin’s Phone Line (Minnesota, GC9FF)
- Geocaching can give you strange ideas of what “Spring Break” should look like. We spent a Spring week in Duluth so we could drive further north to this cache. It was dubious parking, followed by a challenging and wet hike through waist-deep snow. Definitely worth it.
- Maltese Goldfinch (Re-resurrected) (Iowa, GC162)
- Another incredible hike in the woods of a state park. Rolling hills and deep ravines. Our hike was fairly long, but if you go in Winter your walk will be even longer. We met a pair of Wisconsin geocachers at this one as well.
- Go Big Red (Nebraska, GC943)
- I’m not entirely sure what the trip is normally like for this cache. I think it’s a short walk, with a quick dip into the woods. For me, it was a short walk in the dark with pouring rain with a cache that was blessedly easy to find just after sunset, by a cemetery. Spooky!
- The Fort Williams Cache (Maine, GC128)
- This was a short walk in a state park. Not exactly the most memorable, but there are a number of other caches nearby, and the park is right on the ocean. Take your time and enjoy the area.
- Power Island (Michigan, GC35)
- A real legend of OiS caches! You’re going to need a boat. Fortunately, there is a local guide who has made a side-career out of taking geocachers out to find this one. Captain Mike is equal parts friendly and helpful. This is a highly recommended experience. Worth the wait, planning, and cost.
Oldest in State (that I haven't found)
- Centurion Guards (Alaska, GC68)
- Geocache (Arizona, GC57)
- Gorilla Stash (Arkansas, GC1B)
- Phil’s Memorial Cache (California, GC5B)
- Christmas Cache (Florida, GCFA)
- Geocache (Hawaii, GC23)
- Camels Prairie Stash (Idaho, GC25)
- Wild Azalea Cache (Louisiana, GC763)
- Jusef’s Cache (Maryland, GC1FD)
- Bonita Lakes (Mississippi, GC90)
- Fairweather / Missouri Headwaters (Montana, GC492 / GC493) (placed on the same day)
- XKD-380 (Nevada, GCF9)
- gerbiL cacHe (New Jersey, GCC8)
- Open Space 7 (New Mexico, GC191)
- The Spot (New York, GC39)
- Octopus Garden (North Carolina, GC70)
- The Buck Stops Here (North Dakota, GC551)
- Where Eagles Roost (Oklahoma, GC272)
- GC12 (Oregon, GC12)
- Modoc Stash (South Carolina, GCF4)
- Campcache (South Dakota, GC87F)
- Potters Pond (Utah, GC3B)
- Burke Lake Park (Virginia, GC175)
- Geocache (GCD) (Washington, GCD)
- Rich Creek Riches (West Virginia, GC3F0)
- Bridger Teton Cache (Wyoming, GCD7E)