Geocaching HQ has developed these guidelines in collaboration with the international community of volunteers and geocachers since September 2000. Together, we review and adapt the guidelines as the world changes and the game evolves. Following the geocaching guidelines is important to protect the game and the environment in which we play. With these guidelines we aim to balance the needs and rights of the geocaching community, land managers, and the environment to ensure that geocaching can be enjoyed for years to come.
We encourage you to find at least 20 geocaches before hiding one. The more variety of geocaches you find, the better you will understand how to create an enjoyable experience for other geocachers. Find additional guidance about hiding caches in our Help Center.
For publication, geocaches must follow these guidelines and any applicable Regional Geocaching Policies.
When you submit a geocache page for review, a member of the global team of community volunteer reviewers (also known as reviewers) will check it against these guidelines. Community volunteer reviewers are geocachers, like you, who volunteer their time to support the game of geocaching and the geocaching community.
Geocaching HQ and community volunteers are not in any way responsible or liable for caches or their placement. All aspects of your geocache and its placement are your responsibility, and you may be held liable for any resulting consequences. Use of Geocaching HQ services is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. These guidelines are subject to change.
"When you go to hide a geocache, think of the reason you are bringing people to that spot. If the only reason is for the geocache, then find a better spot."
briansnat, Charter Member
All local laws and land management policies apply. This refers to both the placement of the geocache and the journey required to reach it. Do not place caches in a location that requires or encourages geocachers to trespass or pass markers that prohibit access.
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.
If we receive complaints or become aware that a cache is in an inappropriate location, even if not prohibited by law, it may be disabled or archived.
Geocache containers and physical stages of different geocaches must be at least 0.1 miles (528 feet or 161 meters) apart.
A physical stage is any object placed by the cache owner, such as a container or a tag.
There is no minimum required distance for
Geocaching HQ may further restrict geocaches in areas where geocache saturation becomes a concern.
This graphic shows examples of minimum geocache distance.
Learn how to check for minimum distance.
Place your geocache or physical waypoints (WP) at least 161 m / 528 ft from physical waypoints of other geocaches.
Don’t rely only on the Geocache Planning Map to choose a location. Multi-Caches, Mysteries, Wherigos, and Letterbox Hybrids can have hidden physical waypoints.
Waypoints that belong to a single geocache can be closer to each other than 161 m / 528 ft.
Don’t place physical waypoints that belong to your geocache too close to physical waypoints of a different geocache.
Do not bury geocaches, either partially or completely. You must not create a hole in the ground to place or find a geocache.
The only exception is if a property owner gives explicit permission to create a hole to place the cache, which you must provide to the reviewer and state on the cache page. A cache cannot require the finder to dig to reach the cache. See the Regional Geocaching Policies Wiki for details in your region.
Do not harm plant or animal life when you place your cache. Do not place caches in a location that requires or encourages geocachers to harm plant or animal life. In some areas, geocaching activity may need to cease for portions of the year due to sensitivity of some species.
The only exception is if a property owner gives explicit permission to attach a cache to a tree with hardware (for example, with nails). In this case, you must provide the explicit permission to the reviewer and state it on the cache page.
Do not place geocaches in restricted, prohibited, or otherwise inappropriate locations. Some areas have additional regulations and laws that further restrict geocache placement. Geocaching HQ staff or a community volunteer may temporarily disable or permanently archive the cache page if any of the following is reported. (This list is not comprehensive.)
With permission, geocachers may place caches in space, either on other planets or in spacecraft.
The container must hold the logbook. The ideal container is waterproof.
To avoid confusion or suspicion if your cache is found by a non-geocacher, follow these tips where possible:
For all physical caches, there must be a logbook for geocachers to record their visit. The logbook must be
Examples: Notebook, paper scroll.
Geocaching is a family friendly and outdoor friendly game. Cache contents must be suitable for all ages and suitable for the outdoors.
Do not place any of the following items in caches:
There are no precedents for placing geocaches. Past publication of a similar geocache is not justification for publication of a new geocache. If a geocache was published that you feel violated the guidelines, you may report it. However, the existing geocache may have been placed prior to a guideline change, and may be a legacy cache type.
Cache pages perceived to promote an agenda or highlight a cause will not be published. Geocaching is a fun, family-friendly game, not a platform for promoting a cause. Agendas are often religious, political, social, or charitable, but aren't limited to these. Also, cache pages cannot require or encourage players to place more caches.
Cache pages perceived as commercial will not be published. Commercial content includes any of the following characteristics
See examples and exceptions in the Help Center.
Geocaching HQ may make exceptions to the commercial guidelines for GeoTours and trackable promotions.
Geocaching is a family-friendly game. Cache page contents, including description and name, must be suitable for all ages.
A cache page that requires one or more of the following will generally not be published:
See the Help Center for examples and exceptions. Allowed downloads must adhere to all geocaching guidelines and include the following text above the link:
"Alert: You are about to download a file that contains details needed to find this geocache. As the geocache owner, I ensure that this file is safe to download. It has not been checked by Geocaching HQ or by the reviewer. Download this file at your own risk. [insert link here]"
A cache page that requires one or more of the following will generally not be published:
To keep the online cache page up-to-date, the cache owner must
To keep the geocache in proper working order, the cache owner must
Cache owners who do not maintain their existing caches in a timely manner may temporarily or permanently lose the right to list new caches on Geocaching.com.
If you make changes to your cache page or container after publication, and it no longer complies with guidelines, your cache may be disabled or archived.
For all geocache types with multiple stages, the additional physical or virtual stages must be added to the cache page as Additional Waypoints.
For physical caches other than challenge caches, any additional logging requirement (ALR) beyond finding the cache and signing the log must be optional. Caches can be logged online as "Found" after the geocacher has visited the coordinates and signed the logbook.
Some cache types have additional restrictions when used for geo-art.
A Traditional Cache consists of at least a container with a logbook and is located at the posted coordinates.
A Multi-Cache includes at least one stage in addition to the physical final stage. The posted coordinates are a stage of the Multi-Cache. At each stage, the geocacher gathers information that leads them to the next stage or to the final container. The final stage consists of at least a container with a logbook. Learn more about Multi-Caches.
Mystery Caches can have many different designs. For most Mystery caches, the posted coordinates are not the actual cache location. Geocachers must often solve a puzzle in advance to determine the next stage or the final coordinates. The cache page must provide information to solve the puzzle. The information to solve the puzzle must be publicly available.
The final stage consists of at least a container with a logbook.
Final coordinates must be less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from the posted coordinates. Learn more about Mystery Caches.
A challenge cache is a variation of a Mystery Cache. Official guidelines to hide a challenge cache are located in the Help Center.
In contrast to classic Letterboxing, a Letterbox Hybrid requires GPS usage for at least part of the search. A Letterbox Hybrid consists of at least a container with a logbook and a stamp. Letterbox Hybrids can be logged without using a stamp. The stamp stays with the geocache. Letterbox-style clues may be used to guide cachers to the container. Rules about the distance between the final coordinates and the posted coordinates are defined by the underlying cache type: Traditional, Mystery, or Multi-Cache. Learn more about Letterbox Hybrids.
A Wherigo cache requires a Wherigo cartridge to find a cache container with a logbook. The cartridge must be hosted on Wherigo.com and the cache description must include a link to the cartridge. Wherigo posted coordinates must be the same as the “Start at” coordinates on Wherigo.com, or within 2 miles (3.2 km) of the final for Play anywhere and Reverse cartridges.
Geocaching HQ partners with the Geological Society of America (GSA) to oversee the EarthCache program. Visit the GSA website for the official EarthCache guidelines.
An EarthCache consists of an earth science lesson that requires a visit to a unique geological feature. EarthCaches do not have containers or logbooks. Further guidance can be found in the Help Center.
A Lab Cache is an experimental geocache type. Learn more about Lab Caches in the Help Center.
An Event Cache is a gathering of geocachers, focusing on the social aspect of geocaching. It is organized by geocachers, for geocachers and those interested in learning the game.
An Event Cache
Events must comply with health and safety guidelines, as well as all local laws. Event cache owners are responsible for ensuring the number of people in attendance is in accordance with any local restrictions on gatherings.
An Event Cache must meet the commercial cache guidelines, with the exception that Event Cache pages can include
The geocacher who owns the Event Cache page must attend the event in person.
Submit events as one single event if your event has one of the following
Additional waypoints may be added to the Event Cache page for the locations of event activities.
Events cannot be held in or near transportation centers such as
A Mega-Event Cache is a geocaching event that is attended by 500+ people. Event hosts must apply for Mega-Event status in advance. An Event Cache page will receive the Mega-Event icon upon qualification. Official guidelines and Mega-Event application.
A Giga-Event Cache is a geocaching event that is attended by 5000+ people. Event hosts must first apply for Mega-Event status in advance. An Event Cache page will receive the Giga icon upon qualification. Official guidelines and Giga-Event application.
Cache In Trash Out® (CITO) events are gatherings of geocachers to improve parks and other cache-friendly places. CITO event cache pages must include a start and end time and last at least 1 hour.
Some examples of CITO-appropriate activities:
We encourage geocachers to partner with organizations who have experience hosting these types of cleanup efforts. When partnering with an organization, the event must have a separate sign-in area so geocachers can meet before they start the work. A CITO event to clean up after a geocaching event will not be published.
Virtual and Webcam Caches are legacy cache types. You cannot submit new Virtual or Webcam Cache pages, but you can find those that remain active.
If you currently own a Virtual or Webcam Cache, you must maintain the cache page and logs, respond to inquiries from geocachers, and check the physical location periodically.
A Virtual Cache can only be logged online if the geocacher has visited the cache location and completed the logging tasks. For privacy reasons, cache owners cannot require geocachers to post a photo that includes their face. Read more about Virtual Caches and appropriate logging tasks.
A Webcam Cache can only be logged with an image taken directly from the associated webcam feed. Read more about Webcam Caches.