Geocaching sounds complicated, but in reality—it’s simple. Think of it as a real-life (completely FREE) treasure hunt. Below, we walk you through how to go geocaching—step by step.
What is Geocaching | What’s a Geocache | What You Need | How-To Go | Tips
Looking for fun vacation ideas for families? Sometimes the simplest activity can bring the most joy…
If you’ve never been geocaching, it’s something that everyone should try at least once! If you’re looking for something simple, yet super exciting to try out with your family on your next vacation—geocaching will not disappoint!
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Heck, you don’t even have to be on vacation to get a thrill out of this fun activity—but locating a few caches while on vacation helps make the experience so memorable.
As a bonus, it might even lead you to an exciting destination that you never considered exploring.
Plus, there’s the extra perk being that this activity is completely free 💲💰🆓 for all to enjoy!
What better place to start than the Ozarks? The Ozarks offer an abundance of geocaches in national forests, preserves, and city parks.
Here’s our quick-start guide to try something new with your family: geocaching. It’s a great way to get outdoors.
What is Geocaching?
Think of geocaching like a real-world scavenger hunt or Pokemon Go game. You basically use your phone’s GPS with an app to hunt down a geocache.
What’s a Geocache?
A geocache, also called a cache, is a small item hidden in a public place intentionally for the purpose of others to find it. It’s the treasure. The location of each geocache is registered so that you can use the geocaching database to find one whenever you are out and about.
What Does a Geocache Look Like?
Geocaches can be very unique and each one looks different! In my experience, geocaches are usually some form of waterproof container. I’ve found everything from ammo cases to the old plastic film canisters.
What’s inside a Geocache?
Inside the holding container, it’s not uncommon to find a roll of paper (called a “log”) where you can add your name—officially declaring proof that “YOUR NAME HERE was here.” Sometimes there are trinkets inside that you’re encouraged to swap out with something else that the next person will get a kick out of!
Examples of something cool you could find inside a geocache include:
- Drawings
- Small toys
- Small rocks
- Coins
- Keys
- Army guys
Where are Geocaches Usually Hidden?
I’ve personally found geocaches hidden in cemeteries, front yards (it will have a note telling you it’s on someone’s private property), business parking lots, dog parks, city parks, under bridges, forest preserves, under benches, tucked in a tree, inside a magnetic box, inside an ammo box, stuck to a sign… the possibilities are endless. Check each geocache’s notes to get an idea of where you might find a particular geocache.
What Equipment Do I Need to Go Geocaching?
The bare minimum that you’ll need to go geocaching is a GPS-capable device and the geocaching coordinates. A smartphone will do the job just fine. Or, you could grab a Garmin eTrex Handheld Navigator.
Other things that might come in handy to take on your geocaching adventure include:
▶ A Pen
(check out this space pen that’s perfect for writing in all conditions and angles)
▶ A Unique Item to trade
(stock up on charms, keys, tiny animals)
▶ Hiking shoes
▶ Bug spray & sunscreen
▶ Drinking water
▶ A Compass
▶ Portable Battery Charger
(like this solar power bank)
How Do You Go Geocaching?
Geocaching is super simple and there’s a very short learning curve. Once you get the hang of geocaching for the first time, you won’t need an instruction guide ever again. You’ll find that the hardest part is choosing which one to go after!
Step 1: Set Up a Free Account
The first step to taking your family geocaching on vacation is to get logged into Geocaching.com where you can setup a free account. Once logged in, you’ll be able to see the general vicinity of where all the geocaches are located. Spoiler alert: they are EVERYWHERE!!!
As part of the setup, you may want to download a geocaching app to help you track your finds and keep track of the coordinates (unless you’ve got a GPS receiver that you can type coordinates into). Some common geocaching apps available for free include:
- Geocaching (this is the official app)
- c:geo (Android only)
- Geocaches (iPhone only)
Step 2: Pick a General Destination [We’re a Fan of the Ozarks]
Once you’ve got your account setup and decided which device you’ll use to nail down the GPS coordinates, you’re ready to pick your first cache. As mentioned earlier, there’s no shortage of geocaches—so just pick one that’s close by and get out the door!
Step 3: Use GPS to Go Geocaching
Enter the coordinates of your first hunt into your chosen GPS device (such as your cell phone maps app or geocaching app) and travel to the general vicinity. Once you arrive at the general area, you’ll use your GPS to get closer and closer—like a treasure map!
When your GPS shows that you’re super close, start looking around you. Look up in trees, look on the ground, look in logs, look in all the nooks and crannies! If you still can’t find it, check the geocache’s official page to see if there are any hints available or read through the comments to see if others can steer you the right way.
See if you can spot this one hiding out:
When you find it, make sure to make your mark! Log into your account and check it off the list. Put it back as you found it for the next adventurer. Then, head off for the next one!
Tips for Families
If you’re taking your family out geocaching, here’s few tips to remember:
- Charge your phone before you go
- Take a car charger just in case
- Choose an easy find for your first trip
- Plan ahead and pick a spot that has several geocaches clustered nearby
- Let everyone get a chance to find it before pointing it out
- Take trinkets to leave behind! It becomes fun memorabilia
- Take photos of the experience and the cache
- Have fun! If you can’t find the first one, try another
- If you love the idea of geocaching, you can make and hide your own geocache!
Get Started Geocaching on Your Ozarks Family Vacation
If you’re planning your vacation to the Ozarks region, here are some resources to help you get there:
Book a rental car with Economy Bookings to get your roadtrip to the Ozarks started! Or check out hotel rates and book a stay with hotels in the Ozarks through Trip.com
Looking for more ideas? Try these:
– Rent a Boat at Lake of the Ozarks
– Go Diving at Table Rock Lake
– Mine for Gemstones
– Go Spelunking at Meramec Caverns
– Visit a Theme Park in Branson
– Go on a Guided Backpacking Trip
– Rent Mountain Bikes in Bentonville, AR
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