What is Geocaching?

Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a family friendly outdoor game. It is often referred to as “treasure hunting with a high tech twist” because you use the geocaching.com website and either a GPS device or a smartphone. There is no charge to play. A geocache (cache) is a container that someone has hidden. They record the coordinates (location) online so that you can find it. When you find it, you sign your user name inside, record your find online, then go find another cache. Geocaching is popular because:

• it gets kids (and adults) outside

• it’s free to play

• you go at your own pace

• you choose your level of difficulty

• it takes you to interesting places

There are very few rules to geocaching, but there are many expectations of geocachers.  They must strive to live in harmony with the environment they are visiting; stick to existing trails and strive for low impact.  Geocachers practice "Cache in, Trash out." 

There are over 6 million geocachers playing the game and over 2 million hidden caches around the world. You can find a cache hidden in almost every country of the world, and there is even a cache on the international space station.

What does a geocache look like?

A cache can be any size, from a micro that fits inside your hand to a five gallon pail, or bigger. It may be camouflaged to blend into its surroundings. The one rule is that it must have a logbook, something for you to sign. If the container is large enough it may also have swag, treasure to trade.  If you take something, you leave something in return. The cache may also have trackables, game pieces that travel from cache to cache. Their movements are tracked online.

How to play

Using a GPS

Go to geocaching.com and sign up, it’s free!

Choose a user name that you will sign the logs with, and a password. You can purchase a premium membership to get extra benefits, but it’s not necessary to start playing.

Download information about caches in the area you want to play

Most GPS units connect to the computer so you can send the coordinates directly.  You can also manually input the coordinates.

Using a Smart Phone

Download the free app for iphone or android and follow the instructions to open up an account.

Start playing

There are four simple steps to play:

1.    Zoom in on the map to an area you are interested in to view the caches.

2.    Go outside and find the cache. Look for paths or trails. When you get within about 10 m of the cache, put the GPS away and look around for anything that might look out of place or unusual. Remember the size you’re looking for, (micro, small, regular or large)

3.    Sign the log book, every cache has one.

4.    Go back online to record your find, or log it on the phone app. To log your find, select “Found it” and the correct date. If you can, take the time to say something about your experience without giving away the location.

Any geocacher that wants to can hide caches and share the locations of these caches on geocaching.com, following the guidelines. 

Difficulty ratings

Caches are listed with difficulty ratings.  While some caches are only a short walk, others may involve a day of hiking, paddling, rock climbing or scuba diving. Some caches are straightforward: find it and log in. While others require solving riddles and puzzles before the cache is revealed or unlocked.

For more details on how to play the game visit geocaching.com/guide/

Try the Tag Along with Tupper Adventure Lab, a touchless form of geocaching. Visit the Adventure Lab page for more information.

About the Geocaching Capital of Canada

The Geocaching Capital of Canada is comprised of a string of seven hamlets:  Irondale, Gooderham, Tory Hill, Wilberforce, Harcourt, Highland Grove and Cardiff.  

Most are located within the Municipality of Highlands East (Harcourt being the exception) and all are nestled on the eastern side of the Haliburton Highlands, on the edge of the rugged Canadian Shield. 

This is prime Geocaching Country, a geocacher's paradise offering creative caches hidden in and around magnificent forests and pristine lakes where you can enjoy leisurely and muggle-free geocaching on foot, by bicycle, on horseback, ATV or snowmobile, or by simply driving the scenic back roads. Bring your canoe or kayak and explore our many lakes while you’re here.

Find us

Just three hours north of Toronto, west of Ottawa and south of North Bay, and just minutes from Algonquin Provincial Park and Silent Lake Provincial Park, the Geocaching Capital of Canada is within easy reach.

Stay here

Come for the weekend or stay for a week’s vacation. Friendly folk offer fine accommodations ranging from campsites to resorts and B&Bs. 

We look forward to your visit.  Happy Geocaching.

Guided Tours Available

Yours Outdoors offers a half day introduction to geocaching. Their exceptional experience leaders will provide you with the basics, help you discover some incredible geocaches and get you hooked on this global treasure hunt.