Geocaching

treasure hunting · outdoor adventure · GPS technology · puzzle solving

A real-world treasure hunt. Geocaching is like a massive scavenger hunt that happens all over Earth. Players use GPS devices or smartphones to navigate to hidden containers called caches, which can be anywhere from a city park to a remote forest.

Started in May 2000. The very first geocache was hidden just one week after GPS became accurate enough for regular people to use. Since then, the hobby grew so popular that there are now over three million active caches hidden worldwide.

Containers and treasures inside. Geocaches come in all sizes, from tiny pill bottles to large boxes. Inside, you might find toys, trinkets, or logbooks where finders write their names and the date they discovered it.

Uses GPS coordinates. Each cache is marked by exact GPS coordinates (numbers that pinpoint a location on Earth). Players enter these coordinates into their GPS device or phone to navigate close to the hidden spot, then use their detective skills to find the final cache.

A global community. Geocaching connects people from every country in a friendly outdoor adventure. Cachers often share stories online about their finds and create new caches for others to discover.