Cache Listing Requirements / Guidelines
Guidelines last updated May 7, 2008.
These are listing guidelines only. Before a cache is published on the website,
a volunteer will review the page for inaccuracies, bad coordinates, and compliance
with these guidelines. The physical cache site is not verified. As the cache owner,
you are responsible for the placement and care of your cache.
Prior to placing and submitting a cache you are expected to review the following
guidelines. In order to post a new cache and submit it for review you must indicate
that you have read the guidelines as required. Geocaching is a constantly changing
and evolving sport, and as a result these guidelines are subject to change as the
sport progresses. Please refer back to these guidelines prior to cache placement
to ensure that no changes have been implemented that would adversely affect your
planned cache placement.
First and foremost please be advised there is no precedent for placing caches.
This means that the past listing of a similar cache in and of itself is not a valid
justification for the listing of a new cache. If a cache has been published and
violates any guidelines listed below, you are encouraged to report it. However,
if the cache was placed prior to the date when a guideline was issued or updated
the cache is likely to be "grandfathered" and allowed to stand as is.
If you believe that your cache may be questionable, you are encouraged to add a
note to the cache page. For example, you could add an explanation in the "notes
to reviewer" section such as: "The train tracks running through this park are inactive
and have been converted to a rails-to-trails path." The reviewer will read the note
and take the information into consideration. Rest assured that notes to reviewers
will be removed before the caches are published. Most caches that are temporarily
put on hold or archived are done so due to a lack of information. Having all the
relevant information up front during the review process will help ensure a speedy
listing.
If your cache has been placed on hold, temporarily disabled or archived...
First please read the reviewer notes for an explanation. It is a common practice
for the reviewers to place a cache on hold while they obtain additional details
required for it to be published. A reviewer may temporarily disable a submission
to provide time for the cache owner to make necessary changes to the cache placement
or cache description. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t be published.
In order to ensure a prompt response when responding to a reviewer, please follow
the contact instructions given by the reviewer in their note. If no other instructions
are provided, click on the volunteer reviewer’s profile from the cache page and
e-mail the reviewer through Geocaching.com. If you reply directly to the automated
cache notification address, most likely you will not receive a reply.
If your cache has been archived and you wish to appeal the decision, first contact
the reviewer and explain why you feel your cache meets the guidelines. Exceptions
may sometimes be made, depending on the nature of a cache. If you have a novel type
of cache that "pushes the envelope" to some degree, then it is best to contact your
local reviewer and/or Groundspeak before placing and reporting it on the Geocaching.com
web site. The guidelines should address most situations, but Groundspeak administrators
and reviewers are always interested in new ideas. If, after exchanging emails with
the reviewer, you still feel your cache has been misjudged, your next option is
to ask the volunteer to post the cache for all of the reviewers to see in their
private discussion forum. Sometimes a second opinion from someone else who has seen
a similar situation can help in suggesting a way for the cache to be published.
Next, you should feel free to post a message in the "Geocaching Topics" section
of the Groundspeak Forums to see what the geocaching community thinks. If the majority
believes that it should be published, then Groundspeak administrators and volunteers
may review the submission and your cache may be unarchived. Finally, if you believe
that the reviewer has acted inappropriately, you may send an e-mail with complete
details, waypoint name (GC****) and a link to the cache, to Groundspeak’s special
address for this purpose: appeals@geocaching.com.
For all other purposes, whenever these Guidelines ask the cache owner to "contact
Groundspeak," use the contact@geocaching.com
e-mail address.
Table of Contents
Off-limit (Physical) Caches
By submitting a cache listing, you assure us that you have adequate permission to
hide your cache in the selected location. However, if we see a cache description
that mentions ignoring "No Trespassing" signs (or any other obvious issues), your
listing may be immediately archived. We also assume that your cache placement complies
with all applicable laws. If an obvious legal issue is present, or is brought to
our attention, your listing may be immediately archived.
Caches may be quickly archived if we see the following (which is not exhaustive):
- Caches on land managed by an agency that prohibits geocaches, such as the U.S. National
Park Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (National Wildlife Refuges).
- Caches that are buried. If a shovel, trowel or other "pointy" object is used to
dig, whether in order to hide or to find the cache, then it is not appropriate.
- Caches that deface public or private property, whether a natural or man-made object,
in order to provide a hiding place, a clue or a logging method.
- Caches placed in areas which are highly sensitive to the extra traffic that would
be caused by vehicles and humans (examples may include archaeological or historic
sites).
- Caches hidden in close proximity to active railroad tracks. In general we use a
distance of 150 ft (46 m) but your local area’s trespassing laws may be different.
All local laws apply.
- Caches near or on military installations.
- Caches near, on or under public structures deemed potential or possible targets
for terrorist attacks. These may include but are not limited to highway bridges,
dams, government buildings, elementary and secondary schools, and airports.
There may be some exceptions. If your cache fits within one of the above areas,
please explain this in a note to the reviewer. If you are given permission to place
a cache on private property, indicate this on the cache page for the benefit of
both the reviewer and people seeking out the cache.
In addition, there may be local regulations already in place for certain types of
parks in your region (state parks, county preserves, etc.). There are many local
caching organizations that would be able to help you out with those regulations.
If your area does not have a local caching organization please contact your local
reviewer for information on regulations. If you have complied with special regulations
by obtaining a permit, please state this on your cache page or in a 'note to the
reviewer'. A reviewer may request that you provide contact information for the person
who gave you permission to hide your cache.
If the Geocaching.com web site is contacted and informed that your cache has been
placed inappropriately, your cache may be archived or disabled and you may be contacted
with any information provided by the individual or organization who contacted us.
Cache Types
Cache Sizes
Cache sizes for all caches that have a physical container.
- Micro (35 mm film canister or smaller – less than approximately 3 ounces or .1 litres
-- typically containing only a logbook)
- Small (Sandwich-sized Tupperware-style container or similar -- less than approximately
1 quart or litre -- holds trade items as well as a logbook)
- Regular (Tupperware-style container or ammo can)
- Large (5 gallon/20 litre bucket or larger)
Traditional Caches
This is the original cache type consisting of (at a bare minimum) a container and
a logbook. The cache may be filled with objects for trade. Normally you'll find
a Tupperware-style container, ammo box, or bucket filled with goodies, or smaller
container ("microcache") too small to contain items except for a logbook. The coordinates
listed on the traditional cache page are the exact location of the cache. A container
with just an object or codeword for verification, and no logbook, generally, does
not qualify as a traditional cache. Caches that require the geocacher to do something
beyond finding the container and signing the logbook generally do not qualify as
traditional caches.
Multi-Caches
There are many variations to multi-stage caches. The most common is that in which
the first container or waypoint contains or provides coordinates to the next location.
Another popular variant is a series of multiple waypoints, each of which provide
partial coordinates for the final cache’s position. Please provide the coordinates
of all stages of the multicache. The posted coordinates are for
the first stage. Use the "Additional Waypoints" feature when submitting the multi-cache
coordinates for the other stages. If you don't want the coordinates for the rest
of the stages displayed, be sure to mark them as "hidden". Doing this will hide
the coordinates from view by anyone except the owner and website volunteers.
Offset caches are a variation on multi-caches. They are listed as a multi-cache
when selecting a cache type. They are not found by simply going to some coordinates
and finding a cache there. With the offset cache the published coordinates could
be of an existing historical monument, plaque, or even a benchmark that you would
like to have your cache hunter visit. At this spot, the hunter looks for numbers
or information already appearing on the marker or on some part of the marker or
site (geocachers NEVER deface public or private property). The geocacher is then
able to manipulate these numbers or information using instructions posted on the
cache page to continue the hunt.
Mystery or Puzzle Caches
The "catch-all" of cache types, this form of cache often involves complicated puzzles
that you will first need to solve in order to determine the coordinates. The information
needed to solve the puzzle must be available to the general caching community and
the puzzle should be solvable from the information provided on the cache page. For
example, a puzzle that requires research on public websites in order to determine
the coordinates may be acceptable, while a puzzle that requires sending an e-mail
to the cache owner with the solution in order to obtain the coordinates may not
be. For many caches of this type, the coordinates listed are not of the actual cache
location but a general reference point, such as a nearby parking location. Unless
a good reason otherwise can be provided, the posted coordinates should be no more
than 1-2 miles (2-3 kilometres) away from the true cache location. This allows the
cache to show up on the proper vicinity searches and to keep the mileage of Trackables
that find their way into the cache reasonably correct.
Caches with mandatory requirements in addition to signing the logbook should be
listed as mystery caches. Examples include sending the cache owner a verification
codeword found inside the logbook, performing some task at the cache location and
taking a photograph, or writing the online log in a format or with content that
satisfies the cache requirements. The mystery cache designation assists finders
in identifying that something extra is required in order to log a find.
If you choose to submit a cache of this type please give as much detailed information
as possible to the reviewer when you submit the cache. Report the coordinates for
the actual cache location and any other relevant stages or clues using the "Additional
Waypoints" feature. The reviewer may still need more information before publishing
the cache. Please cooperate with these requests.
Letterbox Hybrid
Letterboxing is another form of treasure hunting that uses clues to direct hunters
to a hidden container. Each letterbox contains a stamp which is the signature for
that box. Most letterboxers have their own personal stamps and personal logbooks.
They stamp the letterbox logbook with their personal stamp, and use the stamp contained
in the letterbox to "sign" their personal logbook.
Letterbox hybrids are a mixture of letterbox and geocache. They should contain a
signature stamp that stays with the box, and they must conform to the guidelines
for geocaches and therefore must contain a logbook and involve GPS use as an integral
part of the hunt. A letterbox hybrid cannot be designed to be found using only clues.
Whether or not the letterbox hybrid contains trade items is up to the owner. In
most cases personal stamp and personal logbook are not necessary to be a seeker
of a letterbox hybrid.
Wherigo™ Caches
A Wherigo geocache uses your Wherigo cartridge to lead you ultimately to the physical
geocache location. The cartridges must reside at Wherigo.com. If a cartridge is
used as a requirement to find a geocache, it is considered a Wherigo cache, regardless
of whether it may also have a puzzle or multi-cache component.
Cache saturation applies only to physical containers, and not virtual elements.
Standard geocaching guidelines apply.
A device that can play Wherigo is not considered special equipment.
Event Caches
Event caches are gatherings that are open to all geocachers and which are organized
by geocachers. While a music concert, a garage sale, an organized sporting event,
a ham radio field day or a town’s fireworks display might be of interest to a large
percentage of geocachers, such events are not suitable for submission as event caches
because the organizers and the primary attendees are not geocachers. In addition,
an event cache should not be set up for the sole purpose of drawing together cachers
for an organized hunt of another cache or caches. Such group hunts are best organized
using the forums or an email distribution list.
For geocaching events that involve several components, such as a full weekend event
that includes a geocoin trading session, a seminar and a potluck dinner, multiple
event listings may be submitted if they each stand on their own merits as events
meeting the listing guidelines.
Event caches should be submitted no less than two weeks prior to the date of the
event, so that potential attendees will have sufficient notice to make their plans.
Events are generally published no more than three months prior to the date of the
event, to avoid having the listing appear for a prolonged period of time on the
nearest caches page and in the weekly e-mail notification of new caches. Exceptions
are sometimes made for events that are designed to attract a regional, national
or international group of geocachers, or if an overnight stay is expected as part
of the event, requiring advance reservations and travel planning (for example, a
campout). Contact your reviewer if you wish to set up such an event, which may be
published up to six months prior to the event date. Groundspeak can promote Geocaching
through events that may be an exception to the guidelines, if we deem that is necessary
to further the game.
After the event has passed, the event cache should be archived by the organizer
within four weeks.
Mega-Event Caches
Mega-Events are a special designation reserved for only the largest event caches
– those which attract geocachers to attend on a regional, national or international
level. To qualify as a Mega-Event, the organizers must obtain prior approval from
Groundspeak – not from their volunteer cache reviewer. Among other requirements,
the organizers must demonstrate a substantial likelihood that at least 500 people
will attend the event. A Mega-Event Cache may be published up to one year prior
to the event date. A regular Event Cache can be changed to a Mega-Event Cache after
the fact, if the organizers demonstrate to Groundspeak that more than 500 people
attended.
CITO Event Caches
The idea of Cache In Trash Out (CITO) came about late in the year
2000 as a way for geocachers to contribute to the beautification of our local parks
and lands. You may find more information about the CITO program at
http://www.geocaching.com/cito/.
The CITO event cache category was added to differentiate cleanup events from other
types of event caches. Use this category when you are asking geocachers to show
up on a particular day to pick up litter at a park, remove piles of junk near a
popular waterfront, etc. Do NOT use this category for a physical cache that is placed
in an area that is need of cleanup – just mention the CITO opportunity on your cache
page.
CITO Events are set up and sponsored by geocachers – not by other organizations.
If you have an event you feel fits within the spirit of this unique category, yet
are still unsure, please seek permission from Groundspeak before submitting.
Earthcaches
This is a unique but limited cache type. An Earthcache is an educational site that
people can visit to view a unique geoscience feature on-the-ground.
All Earthcaches must be submitted and approved through the Geological Society of
America – the regional Groundspeak volunteer cache reviewers have no involvement
with Earthcache listings. The Earthcache submittal form and Guidelines may be found
on the Earthcache.org site. http://www.earthcache.org/
Logging an Earthcache find requires compliance with the requirements stated by the
owner and the Earthcache Website, including
answering the required questions by e-mail to the owner, providing original photos
if so requested, etc.
Guidelines that Apply to all Cache Types
For all physical caches and waypoints, think carefully about how your container
and the actions of geocachers will be perceived by the public. For example, a cache
hidden in full view of office or apartment building windows exposes a geocacher
to being seen by someone who may think the cache search looks suspicious. Your cache
may be hidden on public property, but there may be concerned residents on the other
side of that property line. And, while an ammo box or PVC pipe may be a great container
if hidden deep in the woods, it may cause alarm if discovered in an urban setting.
A clear plastic container or a microcache may be a better choice. In busy areas,
avoid containers that look suspicious, including attachment materials like wires
or tape. To reduce confusion and alarm when a cache is discovered accidentally,
clearly label your container on the outside with appropriate information to say
it is a geocache. Cover over any military markings with paint or a geocache sticker.
Include an explanatory "stash note" inside your cache. Common sense in selecting
hiding spots and containers can reduce the risk of your cache being perceived as
a danger to those who are unaware of our sport.
You as the owner of the cache must visit the site and obtain the coordinates with
a GPS. GPS usage is an essential element of geocaching. Therefore, although it is
possible to find a cache without a GPS, the option of using accurate GPS coordinates
as an integral part of the cache hunt must be demonstrated for all physical cache
submissions.
For all physical caches, there must be a logbook, scroll or other type of log for
geocachers to record their visit.
For all caches that include multiple waypoints please report all the additional
coordinates using the "Additional Waypoints" feature. If you don't want a set of
coordinates displayed on your cache page, be sure to mark them as "hidden". Doing
this will hide the coordinates from view by anyone except the owner and website
volunteers.
In the interest of file security, caches that require the downloading, installing
or running of data and/or executables may not be published.
Caches that require a geocacher to visit another website will not be published if
the finder must create an account with, or provide personal information to, the
other website.
If you are placing a large number of caches to be published on the same date (for
example, on the day of an event cache), please submit the cache pages for all of
the caches at least ten days in advance of the release date. Leave a "note to reviewer"
indicating that the cache is to be released on the date specified. This allows your
reviewer adequate time to review the submissions or to arrange for help from another
reviewer. (Note: Caches placed in connection with an event must be placed with the
intention of leaving them in place after the event, temporary caches are not accepted.)
Your cache should be in place and ready to hunt at the time your cache page is submitted
for review. If for any reason it is not ready, please either disable your cache
page so that it won’t be seen by the reviewer until ready, or include a "note to
reviewer" to explain your special circumstances (for example, waiting for a permit
from a land manager).
At times a cache may meet the listing requirements for the site but the reviewers,
as experienced cachers, may see additional concerns that you as a cache placer may
not have noticed. As a courtesy, the reviewer may bring additional concerns about
cache placement to your attention and offer suggestions before posting. But as the
cache owner you are responsible for placement and care of your cache. Note: Exceptions
to the listing guidelines may occasionally be made depending on the novel nature
and merits of a cache. If you have a cache idea you believe is novel, contact Groundspeak
before placing and reporting it on the Geocaching.com web site.
Cache Maintenance
The cache owner will assume all responsibility of their cache listings.
The responsibility of your listing includes quality control of posts to the cache
page. Delete any logs that appear to be bogus, counterfeit, off topic, or not within
the stated requirements.
As the cache owner, you are also responsible for physically checking your cache
periodically, and especially when someone reports a problem with the cache (missing,
damaged, wet, etc.). You may temporarily disable your cache to let others know not
to hunt for it until you have a chance to fix the problem. This feature is to allow
you a reasonable time – normally a few weeks – in which to arrange a visit to your
cache. In the event that a cache is not being properly maintained, or has been temporarily
disabled for an extended period of time, we may archive or transfer the listing.
It may be difficult to fulfill your maintenance obligations if you place a cache
while traveling on vacation or otherwise outside of your normal caching area. These
caches may not be published unless you are able to demonstrate an acceptable maintenance
plan. It is not uncommon for caches to go missing, areas to be cleared, trails to
be blocked or closed, objects used for multi-cache or puzzles to be moved or removed,
etc. Your maintenance plan must allow for a quick response to reported problems.
The territory in which a geocacher is able to maintain caches responsibly will vary
from one person to the next. An active geocacher who regularly visits areas hundreds
of miles apart can demonstrate their ability to maintain a cache 100 miles from
home. A geocacher whose previous finds and hides are all within 25 miles of their
home would likely not see their cache published if placed 250 miles away from their
home.
If you have special circumstances, please describe your maintenance plan on your
cache page. For example, if you have made arrangements with a local geocacher to
watch over your distant cache for you, that geocacher’s name should be mentioned
on your cache page.
Cache Permanence
When you report a cache on the Geocaching.com web site, geocachers should (and will)
expect the cache to be there for a realistic and extended period of time. Therefore,
caches that have the goal to move ("traveling caches"), or temporary caches (caches
hidden for less than 3 months or for events) most likely will not be published.
If you wish to hide caches for an event, bring printouts to the event and hand them
out there.
We realize that it is possible that a planned long-term cache occasionally becomes
finite because of concerns with the environment, missing or plundered caches, or
the owner’s decision to remove the cache for other valid reasons. Please do your
best to research fully, hide wisely, and maintain properly for a long cache life.
Cache Saturation
The reviewers use a rule of thumb that caches placed within .10 miles (528 feet
or 161 metres) of another cache may not be published on the site. This is an arbitrary
distance and is just a guideline, but the ultimate goal is to reduce the number
of caches hidden in a particular area and to reduce confusion that might otherwise
result when one cache is found while looking for another. On the same note, don't
go cache crazy and hide a cache every 600 feet just because you can. If you want
to create a series of caches (sometimes called a "Power Trail"), the reviewer may
require you to create a multi-cache, if the waypoints are close together. A series
of caches that are generally intended to be found as a group are good candidates
for submission as a single multicache.
The cache saturation guideline applies to all physical stages of multicaches and
mystery/puzzle caches, as well as any other stages entered as "stages of a multicache."
The guideline does NOT apply to event caches, earthcaches, grandfathered virtual
and webcam caches, stages of multicaches or puzzle caches entered as "question to
answer" or "reference point," or to any "bogus" posted coordinates for a puzzle
cache. Within a single multicache or mystery/puzzle cache, there is no minimum required
distance between waypoints.
Cache Contents
Use your common sense in most cases. Explosives, fireworks, ammo, lighters, knives
(including pocket knives and multi-tools), drugs, alcohol or other illicit material
shouldn't be placed in a cache. As always respect the local laws. Geocaching is
a family activity and cache contents should be suitable for all ages.
Food items are ALWAYS a BAD IDEA. Animals have better noses than humans, and in
some cases caches have been chewed through and destroyed because food items (or
items that smell like food) are in the cache. Even the presence of mint flavored
dental floss has led to destruction of one cache.
If the original cache contents list any of the above items or other questionable
items, or if a cache is reported to have the questionable items, the cache may be
disabled, and the owner of the cache will be contacted and asked to remove the questionable
items before the cache is enabled.
Caches that Solicit
Solicitations are off-limits. For example, caches perceived to be posted for religious,
political, charitable or social agendas are not permitted. Geocaching is supposed
to be a light, fun activity, not a platform for an agenda.
Commercial Caches
Commercial caches will not be published on geocaching.com without prior approval
from Groundspeak. A commercial cache is a geocache listing or geocache which is
perceived by Groundspeak, Groundspeak's employees, or the Volunteer Geocache Reviewers
as having been submitted to geocaching.com with the principal or substantial intent
of soliciting customers or generating commercial gain. The geocache is presumed
to be commercial if the finder is required to go inside a business, interact with
employees, and/or purchase a product or service, or if the cache listing has overtones
of advertising, marketing, or promotion.
Additionally, links to businesses, commercial advertisers, charities, political
or social agendas, or the inclusion of their associated logos are not permitted
on cache descriptions without prior permission from Groundspeak.
Grandfathered Cache Types
Cache types that are listed below are no longer available as options for new listings
on Geocaching.com. Cache descriptions and maintenance guidelines are listed below.
Grandfathered caches that are not maintained may be archived.
Not to worry, there is a separate website provided by Groundspeak Inc. dedicated
to marking these unique locations. Please visit
waymarking.com for details.
Virtual Caches
A virtual cache is an existing, permanent landmark of a unique nature. The seeker
must answer a question from the landmark and verify to the cache owner that he was
physically at the location.
WebCam Caches
These are caches that use existing web cameras placed by individuals or agencies
that monitor various areas like parks or road conditions. The idea is to get yourself
in front of the camera to log your visit. The camera must provide a photo detailed
enough to identify the cacher. The cameras must update at reliable intervals so
geocachers can log their visit.
Guidelines that apply to grandfathered cache types
Virtual Caches and Webcam Caches
These are special categories of caches that ask the seeker to find a pre-existing
item to log. We are no longer accepting new Virtual Caches or Webcam Caches. Caches
which existed before November of 2005 have been allowed to remain as grandfathered
caches.
Virtual Cache and Webcam Cache Maintenance Guidelines
The cache owner will assume all responsibility for their cache listings.
Although the cache is not something you physically maintain, you must maintain your
cache's web page and respond to inquiries. In the case of Virtual Caches and Webcam
Caches you must periodically check the physical location. You may temporarily disable
your cache to let others know not to hunt for it until you have a chance to fix
the problem. This feature is to allow you a reasonable time – normally a few weeks
– in which to arrange a visit to your cache.
You should also return to the Geocaching.com web site at least once a month to show
you are still active. Caches posted and "abandoned" may be archived by the site.
The owner will assume the responsibility of quality control of logged "finds" for
the cache, and will agree to delete any "find" logs that appear to be bogus, counterfeit,
off topic, or not within the stated requirements.
In the event that a cache is not being properly maintained, or has been temporarily
disabled for an extended period of time, we may archive the listing. Grandfathered
caches may not be unarchived.
Virtual Cache Logging Guidelines
Logging a virtual cache find requires compliance with the requirements stated by
the owner, including answering the required questions by e-mail to the owner, providing
original photos if so requested, etc. Answers to questions, hints or clues should
not be placed in the logs, even if encrypted.
Webcam Cache Logging Guidelines
Logging a webcam cache find requires compliance with the requirements stated by
the owner, including providing the required photo as the owner has requested or
following the example provided on the cache page.