Geocaching has been around for a few years; it is a great outdoor activity that the whole family can get in on! Perhaps this is why geocaching is becoming an increasingly popular activity to do while camping.

What exactly is geo-caching? It is like a modern day treasure hunt using technology along with a paper map. Treasure hunters use GPS coordinates and sometimes clues to find a cache hidden by other geo-cachers.

A cache is a mix of items like trinkets, a logbook and writing utensil, and maybe even a disposable camera stuffed into a waterproof box and hidden under a rock, behind a tree, or sometimes in a sneaky clever urban location. The geographic coordinates are posted to a geocaching website for other geocachers to find. The most popular site of geocache listings is geocaching.com.

Basic Geocaching Guidelines/Tips

  • Do not place a cache on private land without seeking permission of the owner. Also never place a cache in a national park or national wilderness area.
  • Do not enter or travel across private property to get to a cache more quickly.
  • Do not include offensive or inflammatory material in a cache.
  • Respect the area you are hunting in and tread softly in attempts to leave no trace you were there.
  • Place caches in a way that they are hidden and still can be accessed by hunters without harming the surroundings.
  • The cache box should be camouflaged to fit into a surrounding so it does not alarm anyone to thinking it is something else.
  • Don’t expose the hiding spot to others, move it from its destination to look inside and then place it back in its home.
  • It is good etiquette to sign the log as well as record your finding on the site it was listed at.
  • Always leave a trinket when you find one. Make sure they are of equal or greater value.
  • Travel bugs are different than trinkets and are meant to travel the world so it is ok to take them as long as you plan to place them in a cache of a different location. Log it online so the owner can follow where it travels.

Geocaching Supplies

In order to safely geocache you will need a few items.

  • GPS receiver
  • Topographic map for when you get close to the object
  • Compass
  • Flashlight: a great tool to have should your search go into the dusk hours
  • Water: it is always good to have water when enjoying the outdoors
  • Phone: there are many great apps for geocaching. You also want to let someone know where you are going just like with hiking, and keep the phone on you should you get lost.
  • First Aid Kit: always good to have on hand in the outdoors, especially with kids.
  • Insect Repellant: there are bugs in the woods.
  • Batteries: make sure you have extras for every device you are carrying.
  • Camera: to remember your fun adventures and log your finds. It is also great to bring a disposable to leave behind if the cache you find has one that is full.
  • Rain gear/coat: always a good idea, especially in the northwest.
  • Trading trinkets: bring some to leave and take one from the cache to remember your adventure.
Geocaching is a great way to get the kids involved and excited about getting outside. With millions upon millions of caches listed, there is bound to be one somewhere around your next RV camping destination. For more detailed information and insider tips on geocaching, check out some books on the subject or browse the web.

Let us help you get out on your next epic outdoor adventure. Rent an RV from NW Adventure Rentals and set out on the open road in search of treasure! For more tips on RV camping or information on RV rental, please feel free to browse our website or contact us anytime. NW Adventure Rentals has a luxurious fleet of motorhomes and travel trailers, conveniently located in the Pacific Northwest at our Seattle location!

Image by Peter Galvin Flickr

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