Geocaching

Core idea

1. Someone hides a geocache, records its coordinates, and publishes it on Geocaching.com.
2. Other players use those coordinates in the Geocaching® app or on a GPS device to navigate near the hiding spot.
3. Once found, players sign the log inside the container and then log their find online.

Geocaching is supported by Geocaching.com and the official Geocaching® app, which together provide maps of nearby caches, navigation tools, and a way to record and share your finds.

• Sign up on Geocaching.com or through the official Geocaching® app.
• View a map of nearby geocaches and begin finding caches.

Geocaching Premium membership

Geocaching also offers an optional Premium membership.

From the Geocaching Premium page:

• One year of Premium is listed at $39.99 (described as only $3.33 per month).
• You can also subscribe monthly for $6.99.

The Premium page highlights that Premium helps you "get the best of Geocaching" and "find more geocaches," and presents Premium alongside the basic experience.

Features highlighted on the Premium page

The Premium membership page lists features and tools such as:

• Access to advanced geocaches in the app
• Access to every geocache type in the Geocaching® app
• Premium-only geocaches
• Messaging tools
• Worldwide search and advanced search
• Lists to organize caches
• Offline geocaching
• Additional map types
• Ability to award Favorite points
• Instant notifications
• Personalized statistics
• Experimental features
• Attribute search
• Pocket queries
• Send to Garmin integration

These items are described on the Premium page as part of what you get when you go Premium.

Upgrading to Premium

The Premium page indicates that you:

• Sign in to your Geocaching.com account, or
• Create an account if you are new,

and then choose a Premium option (annual or monthly) to upgrade.

If a payment method cannot be authorized, the page notes that payments can fail for various reasons, and suggests checking that information is entered correctly or trying an alternate payment method.

• Go to Geocaching.com or download the official Geocaching® app.
• Create a free geocaching account.
• Once signed in, you can view a map of geocaches near you in the app or on the website.

2. Choose a geocache to find

• Use the map in the app to select a nearby geocache.
• Review the cache details, description, and difficulty/terrain information if shown.
• Check recent activity and any hint provided for extra clues about where to look.

3. Navigate to the geocache

• Head outside and use the Geocaching® app to navigate toward the cache.
• You can follow a compass view or turn-by-turn directions, depending on what is available.
• The app will typically get you within about 30 feet (9 meters) of the cache's location.

4. Search and find the container

• Once you are close, put your device away occasionally and search the area carefully.
• Geocaches come in many shapes and sizes, so check hiding spots like under benches, inside hollow logs, or attached to metal structures.
• When you find the cache, sign your username on the physical log sheet inside the container.
• Place the container back exactly where you found it.

5. Log your find online

• Open the Geocaching® app or sign in to Geocaching.com.
• Log your find for that cache to record your success and add to your find count.
• You can share details about your experience when you log the cache.

Following these steps lets new players move from creating an account to successfully finding and logging their first geocache using the official tools on Geocaching.com.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.