Cape Cod Geocaching Sites

That's just what you'll find in geocache locations all over Cape Cod.

Places like this geocache site, where anyone can get to the treasure - if you just know where to look ...

Cape Cod has hundreds of geocaching sites ...

• In parks


• On nature trails


• Along some of the Cape's many biking trails


• Near kettle ponds and by the seashore


• In lots of geocache sites where you'll experience local history, truly beautiful scenery, and the "real" Cape Cod.

Actually, the caches aren't buried at all. They're hidden. No shovels or digging necessary.

What you'll find is more entertaining than valuable.

My husband and I went on our first geocache hunt only a few months ago, but so far we've found ...

... Plastic boxes holding small toys, trinkets, and some with notes from others who've also found the cache.

The rule is: Take a souvenir from the box, if you'd like. But be sure to leave something of equal value in its place.

I didn't take anything from the baseball cache. It was all Red Sox stuff. I'm a die-hard Yankees fan!!

... And several "micro-caches" - small metal tubes with a log book rolled up inside, where you can add your name and the date you found the cache.

Perhaps best of all, we've found some truly amazing places. Places we might never have seen, if our search for treasure hadn't lead us there.

Like the absolutely gorgeous little wildlife sanctuary we found on our first hunt. We'd been driving past it for years, and had no idea it existed.

What a peaceful spot!

I'm not sure which was better. Finding the treasure ... or being there to see an osprey dive from about 50 feet in the air, catch a fish, then fly it back to the chicks waiting in the nest for their lunch.

That experience made our day!

Some hiding places are just a short walk across a parking lot or down a paved pathway.

Other geocaching sites are a little more challenging, and a few might even require some hiking and climbing.

Before you go, just pick a site that's as easy or challenging as you're comfortable with.

Two things:

• Internet access - to get a list of active geocaching sites, treasures and clues to help you find them

and

• A basic handheld GPS, or a GPS-enabled device such as an iPhone - to guide you to the treasure.

The best place to start is by visiting Geocaching.com. It's the go-to website for everything you'll ever want to know about geocaching.

After a really quick (and free) sign up on their homepage, try typing your home ZIP code or postal code in the search box.

Voila! Up comes a list of all the geocaching sites and treasures to be found in your area.

You'll see GPS coordinates for each cache, a brief description of the size and type of treasure that's hidden there, and often some clues to help you find it.

This is also where you'll find the ratings to let you know how easy or tough your search will be. A big help if you're not in great shape or if you'll be taking little kids with you!

Just choose which geocache you want to search for, and off you go ...

Geocaching Safely ...

1. Don't take on more than you can handle.

   If you're a little out of shape, or if you'll be taking children with you, start out with geocaching sites that have a 1 or 2 star difficulty rating on Geocaching.com. Those are the easiest.

   And if you get into the hunt and find it's even the tiniest bit beyond your capabilities ... Stop! It's not worth risking injury. There are easier geocaching sites out there. Go for one of those!



2. Always mark your starting location on your GPS.

   If you do happen to get lost, how will you get back to your car?

   Get into the habit of marking your starting location as a waypoint, always. (Even if you think you know where you're going and how to get back.)

   That way, you'll have a starting point to track back to.

3. Take some basic safety items with you, just in case.

   A fully charged cell phone. Extra batteries for your GPS. Some drinking water. A small first-aid kit for scrapes and bug bites. You get the idea.

4. Wear the right clothes.

   Our terrain on the Cape is pretty flat; but it's often sandy, pebbly or covered with wet leaves.

   Plus, we do have scratchy, picky and biting things like briar thorns and bugs here.

   Ditch the tee shirt, shorts and flip-flops in favor of a long-sleeved cover-up, long pants, and comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.

5. Be aware of Ticks and Tides!

   Ticks:

   Deer Ticks, to be specific. They can carry Lyme disease.

   If your chosen geocaching sites involve any grassy, weedy or boggy areas, it's doubly important to wear cover-up clothes.

   And to check yourself and the kids at the end of your hunt, to be sure none of the tiny little critters has "hitched a ride".

   Tides:

   Some of the most fun geocache hunts on Cape Cod will bring you to the water's edge or even into the water.

   If you plan to walk out on a tidal flat - BE AWARE OF THE TIDE!!!

   The tide comes in very quickly, especially on Cape Cod Bay.
   If you're too far out when the tide begins to come in, you could be in very big trouble.

   Find out when the tide will turn, and pay attention!



6. Get Others Involved in The Fun.

   If you're going geocaching alone, let someone else know where you're going and when you expect to return.

   Better still, spread the fun around. Invite a friend to go with you.