Geocaching

Geocaching is a family-friendly activity that has become increasingly popular in public parks. Geocaching is an electronic treasure hunt using GPS to navigate and search for hidden containers (the cache). Those waterproof containers contain a log book and small items like toys, games, collectibles, etc. for cache hunters to trade. Descriptions, clues, and GPS coordinates are posted to the Geocaching website.

Grand Traverse County welcomes geocaches in our parks as long as the activity is practiced responsibly. Guidelines for cache placement and hunting are listed below. 

New all-parks sticker geocaches!

Grand Traverse County’s Parks and Facilities team is in the process of hiding 19 caches throughout county parks. These caches are very special because they contain custom stickers designed by Northwest Ed Career Tech Center’s Graphic Arts students! These are limited edition, only 100 printed of each (shout out to our buddies at Vinyl Disorder for helping us print affordably!). The 19 caches are listed below- all are available finds on geocaching.com. IF and ONLY IF you find them all, complete this form and we will send you a special “I saw all the parks 2025” sticker. Happy hunting!

Here are the caches, listed on geocaching.com under the username GrandTraverseParks. Ones in BOLD are currently available!

General guidelines for adding geocaches

• The person placing the cache and cache hunters must adhere to park rules at all times.
• No food products or any items with a distinct odor (soaps & deodorants) may be placed in the container due to wildlife concerns.
• Caches will not contain any food, hazardous or flammable materials, alcohol, drugs, or other illegal items.
• Cache containers must be neutral in nature so as to not cause alarm or concern for park guests or staff. Inappropriate containers include unmarked items, ammunition boxes, containers marked as biohazard or hazardous materials, or any other suspicious-looking items.
• All caches must be clearly labeled "Geocache" on the exterior and must contain a note inside or outside explaining the activity to an unintentional finder. The cache must contain the owner's contact information, including Geocaching.com username and email address.
• The cache must be registered on Geocaching.com and must adhere to all Geocaching.com guidelines.
• All geocaching activity must take place within established park hours and in areas that are open to the public.
• Cache owner is solely responsible for maintaining the cache.
• Grand Traverse County reserves the right to remove a cache that is determined to be inappropriate due to location, content, or negative impact on the park and its visitors, at the sole discretion of Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation. If a cache is removed, the parks department may attempt, but is not required, to notify the cache owner of removal.
• Caches are off-limits on closed roads unless traveling by foot.
• Access routes and caches are prohibited in fragile areas, such as rock shelters, bogs, wetlands, steep slopes, historic sites and structures, dunes, and other sensitive areas.
• Caches will not be placed alongside bluff edges or any location needing special equipment or any other safety equipment to be located.
• Caches will not interfere with or detract from other visitors’ experiences.
• Applicants will not bury, dig soil, or cut vegetation when developing a cache. A geocache is considered buried if mineral soil must be moved to access the geocache. Placing rocks, bark, leaves, logs, etc. over a cache or placing a geocache into a naturally occurring crevice or hole is not considered burial.
• Caches will be no more than 2 gallons or 12 inch x 12 inch x 12 inch in size.
• Containers will be labeled on the outside so that it will not be mistaken as containing hazardous materials.
• Caches will be publicly accessible. There will be no “members only” or subscription caches.
• Geocachers are encouraged to follow “leave no trace” outdoor ethic techniques.
• If at any point Geocachers violate park rules, the cache will be removed, and the individual violating will be ticketed/fined appropriately.
• Grand Traverse County does not take any responsibility for any injuries that may occur to an individual due to placement of or hunting for a cache.
• Grand Traverse County takes no responsibility for vandalism or other damage to a cache.

Placing a Cache

Registration is required to place a Geocache on Grand Traverse County park property. A permit is not required.

If you wish to place a cache on Grand Traverse County park property, please complete the form linked below prior to placing your cache.

Geocache Registration Form