GPS Recreational Activities
Introduction
Geocaching combines outdoor adventure with technology, as participants use GPS coordinates to locate hidden caches in various environments. These caches, ranging from physical containers to virtual markers, are often placed in urban areas and remote wilderness locations, appealing to a broad spectrum of outdoor enthusiasts.
While geocaching offers recreational and educational opportunities, it presents challenges for public lands and wilderness areas. The activity can lead to resource degradation, social trail development, and conflicts with regulations designed to protect natural and cultural resources. For instance, caches left in wilderness areas may be considered litter or abandoned property, and certain behaviors associated with geocaching—like digging or creating unauthorized trails—can harm sensitive ecosystems.
The GPS Recreation Toolbox provides an overview of geocaching-related policies, guidance, and best practices for managing its impact in wilderness areas. It includes federal agency regulations, examples of successful management strategies, and Leave No Trace principles tailored to geocaching. These resources aim to help land managers balance public use with the preservation of natural and cultural resources.
Regulations
NPS
36 CFR 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7
Establish procedures for allowing or prohibiting certain activities, issuing permits, and informing the public.
36 CFR 2.1, 2.22, and 2.31
- 36 CFR 2.1
Regarding the preservation of natural, cultural and archeological resources, prohibits digging, destroying, or injuring park resources. This would apply to digging holes to bury caches, manipulating vegetation to conceal caches, creation of unauthorized trails, and other damaging behavior incidental to GPS activities. - 36 CFR 2.22
Prohibits abandoning property, which includes leaving property unattended for longer than 24 hours. This regulation also authorizes superintendents to designate locations where, or conditions under which, longer time periods may apply. - 36 CFR 2.31
Prohibits trespassing, tampering and vandalism, which might occur as participants search for caches.
Other Information
Leave No Trace Techniques for Geocaching
The essentials of responsible geocaching:
- Never bury caches.
- Never leave food items in a cache.
- Avoid sensitive areas such as wetlands, steep slopes or archaeological sites.
- Leave caches only on durable surfaces along existing trails.
- Keep vehicles on designated roads and trails.
- Replace rocks or other natural objects lifted during a search.
- Find routes that minimize impact.
- Leave places looking as if the seekers had never been there.
- Check with local land managers for restrictions before placing or seeking a cache.
Earthcache
Other
- Geocaching.com
- Backpacker Magazine DestinationsTo learn about what GPS-related activities visitors in your area are engaging in, search the Backpacker Magazine Destinations website. On this site, hikers/backpackers/mountain bikers/ATVers/dirtbikers/etc. post attractions or trips by uploading a .gpx file.
Articles
- Draper, E. (8/21/2006). Cache or trash? GPS hobby packs issues. Denver Post.
- Frawley, J. (2005). Geocaching. Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics' Forest Magazine, Spring 2005.