20 Oldest Active Geocaches in the World Traditional Cache

Legends Beneath the Leaves: The 20 Oldest Active Geocaches in the World

(as of the date of this geocache)

It began with a bucket and a dream.

On May 3, 2000, the U.S. government flipped a switch. Suddenly, civilian GPS receivers became accurate within a few meters—and Dave Ulmer, a computer consultant from Oregon, decided to test this new reality. He placed a black plastic bucket in the woods near Beavercreek and posted the coordinates online. The game was simple: “Take some stuff, leave some stuff, and write it in the logbook.”

Within days, others followed. Across the globe, others hid containers filled with trinkets, notes, and good intentions. A new kind of treasure hunt had begun.

Now, 25 years later, twenty of those first geocaches—still active, still logged, still loved—tell the story of how a digital hobby became a global movement. These aren't just geocaches. They're legends.

This traditional geocache honours the pioneers of the game—those who hid the first treasures of a global adventure; perhaps one day a challenge will be set to collect them all, but not today.  Take a moment to peek at how many Favourite points these “first of the first” geocaches have earned over the years—each one a tribute, not just to the hide itself, but to the legacy, stories, and footsteps they've inspired around the world. Every blue ribbon tells a tale.

1. Mingo (GC30) – May 11, 2000 | Kansas, USA

The oldest active geocache in the world, Mingo is geocaching’s Holy Grail. Nestled near a Kansas highway, this modest container draws seekers from across the globe. Thousands have knelt beside its camo lid, grateful to touch the roots of the game.

2. GC12 – 5/12/2000 – Idaho, USA

Placed just days after Mingo, GC12 hides among the pines of Idaho, where snow and sun alternate dominion. An enduring relic from geocaching’s earliest week.

3. Beverly (GC28) – May 13, 2000 | Oregon, USA

A mossy haven in Portland’s Forest Park, Beverly is more than a cache—it’s a memorial to geocacher Bev, whose name it bears. As logs fill with stories, the forest keeps hers safe.

4. Lane Cove (GC3E) – May 18, 2000 | Sydney, Australia

This Australian gem in Lane Cove National Park is the oldest active cache in the Southern Hemisphere. From trail runners to wallabies, it’s witnessed 25 years of footsteps.

5. The Spot (GC39) – May 26, 2000 | region next to New York, USA

An appropriately named cache on a Utah hillside. It marks “the spot” where caching in the American Southwest began.

6. Geocache by Kevin Anderson (Wellington) (GC46) – May 28, 2000 | New Zealand

Tucked into a coastal forest near Wellington, GC46 claims the title of New Zealand’s first geocache. Today, it’s a protected piece of Kiwiana.

7. Arikaree (GC31) – May 28, 2000 | Colorado, USA

Perched on the High Plains near the Colorado–Kansas border, Arikaree lies among windblown grass and prairie silence.

8. Beaver Cache – The Beaver Have Moved On (GC1D) – May 28, 2000 | Georgia, USA

Beavers may have relocated, but the cache remains. Nestled near a wetlands area, it marks a playful turn in early cache naming.

9. Europe’s First (GC43) – June 3, 2000 | Bray, Ireland

The oldest geocache in Europe, this Irish trail treasure overlooks the sea from Bray Head. For many, it’s a cache of pilgrimage and poetry.

10. GC16 – 6/4/2000 – Oregon, USA

A deep-woods classic that’s challenged many with its thick canopy and twisting trails—an enduring reward for those who seek.

11. Tour of Stone Mountain (GC1E) – Georgia, USA

Hidden among the granite slopes of Stone Mountain Park, this cache has observed generations of seekers under the Southern sun.

12. Rift Valley (GC53) – Kenya | June 2000

Africa’s oldest surviving cache, nestled in the vast Rift Valley. Elephants may wander nearby, but so do geocachers with wide eyes and open hearts.

13. Camels Prairie Stash (GC25) – Idaho, USA

This stash—named for its location near Camel’s Prairie—has stood the test of wilderness and winters.

14. Missouri’s First – Watts Mill (GC37) – Missouri, USA

Placed beneath a historic mill near Kansas City, this cache is a bridge between frontier history and GPS-guided exploration.

15. Two Roads (GC26) – Oregon, USA

Inspired by the Robert Frost poem, “Two roads diverged in a wood…” and one of them led here.

16. Eggcellent (GC27) – Oregon, USA

A playful title for a serious classic. For those who’ve scrambled over rocks to find it, this egg still cracks a smile.

17. Geocache (GCD) – Washington, USA

A mountain cache with iconic status—GCD is a favorite among those who climb high for a taste of geocaching’s origin.

18. Gorilla Stash (GC1B) – Arkansas, USA

Home to geocaching’s first-ever trade item: a can of beans! The Gorilla Stash is as quirky as it is historic.

19. Canada’s First – Geocache (GCBBA) – June 28, 2000 | Nova Scotia, Canada

Hidden among coastal trees, this was Canada’s first cache. Still accessible, still logged, still proud.

20. Tarryall (GC18) – Colorado, USA

A peaceful cache on a wide Colorado plain, marking the passage of time with every windy day.

 Why These Caches Matter

They’ve been stomped through snow, scorched by sun, logged in tears and laughter. Some have replacement containers, others still hold original swag. But each one marks a moment in geocaching’s birth—a digital collection we all still celebrate.

Whether you’re a weekend cacher or a world-traveling "cache pilgrim," these legendary hides are more than coordinates. They’re chapters in the book of global adventure.

So grab your GPS. Sign that logbook. And say hello to history.

"Not all treasure is gold and jewels—sometimes it’s a plastic box under a pile of rocks, and the stories it holds."