Getting Permission To Hide Your Geocache

Getting permission to hide your Geocache should be second on your list of things to do before hiding it. First, you need to find a good location to hide it. For this article we’ll assume you’ve already found the perfect spot and are looking for some tips for requesting permission to hide your Geocache there. We’re also going to assume you are hiding a traditional cache; multiple waypoint caches, puzzle caches, and other types have some additional rules that we are not covering here.

Let’s start with a few important rules.

    No–No’s For Hiding A Geocache

  1. You may not place a Geocache on land managed by an agency that does not allow Geocaches, such as military installations, national parks, national wildlife refuges, and cemeteries.
  2. You may not dig a hole to hide the Geocache and you may not hide the Geocache in a way that requires other Geocachers to dig to find it.
  3. You may not deface public or private property, regardless if it is natural or man–made.
  4. You may not hide a Geocache in an area that would be extremely sensitive to extra traffic, such as an historical site or archaeological site.
  5. You may not hide a Geocache close to active railroad tracks. Generally, 150′ is a reasonable distance, but check your local laws first.
  6. You may not hide a Geocache in an area that might be deemed a high–target area for terrorist attacks.
  7. You may not hide a Geocache within .1 mile of another Geocache.
  8. You may not hide a Geocache containing explosives, fireworks, ammo, lighters, knives (including pocket knives and multi-tools), drugs, alcohol or other illicit material.
  9. You may not hide a Geocache that solicits for charitable, religious, business, social, or other purposes.

 

    Other Considerations For Your Geocache

  1. Your Geocache must have a logbook so Geocachers can log their visit.
  2. You must maintain your Geocache at all times. Once you hide it, it is your responsibility.
  3. Don’t place food in your Geocache.
  4. Your Geocache contents must be all–age and family friendly.
  5. The hiding spot for your Geocache should be near a trail (when possible), but hidden from view of people passing by.
  6. Accurate GPS coordinates for the location of your Geocache is vital to the success of your Geocache.
  7. Choose a container for your Geocache that’s waterproof. The most popular choices are ammo cans and plastic Lock & Lock® containers.
  8. Camouflage your Geocache to blend in with the surrounding environment.

Drafting A Permission Request Letter

Provided that your Geocache meets the above criteria and you are willing to do some work to maintain the cache, you’re ready to seek permission from the agency that manages the land you want to hide your Geocache on. Some Geocachers skip this step unless placing the Geocache on private property (permission is required then), but asking permission is the right thing to do, and it is always encouraged; not to mention, the managing agency appreciates the courtesy.

Rather than writing a letter or sending an email, you may find it easier to meet face to face with someone from the managing agency. Regardless of the approach you use, here are a few example permission request letters that have worked for other Geocachers, which you may use in their entirety or portions thereof to gain permission. In the end, you want permission and you want that in writing (email, letter, or a custom permission form is fine).

written by briansnat

Dear ___________________:

I’m writing to request permission to place a geocache in _______. If you are not familiar with the term geocache, it’s the focal point of a sport called geocaching. Geocaching entails a person hiding a small container (the geocache), usually containing a log book and trinkets, then using a Global Positioning System receiver (GPSr) to mark the longititude and latitude of the geocache. The coordinates are then published on the Internet to allow others to find it.

Geocaching is a fun, family oriented activity that has the benefit of getting people outdoors and introducing them to areas of historic, natural, or scenic interest.

Managers of many parks and nature preserves have determined that geocaching is a beneficial, low impact activity and encourage the sport on their lands. They see the
additional visitors and increased exposure that geocaching brings as a plus. Similarly, geocachers often discover exciting new places through the sport, while getting exercise and gaining an appreciation for these areas.

I believe that ________ is one of the special places that would be of interest to geocachers and would like to explore the possibility of my placing a geocache there. Please contact me at_________ to discuss this.

Thank You,

written by Dave of the Wombles

Sir,

I am writing to request permission to place geocaches on land under the control of the council. I am a member of an organization called the __________________ which has the aims of promoting Geocaching in harmony with the environment and landowners.

Geocaching is a hobby which uses a global positioning system receiver to locate a hidden container. These containers are found by using latitude and longitude coordinates freely available on the Internet at http://www.geocaching.com/. It is a non–commercial hobby which encourages people to locations of interest, views and simply to get out and go walking.

It is a fun, family oriented activity that promotes people getting outdoors and introducing them to areas of historic, natural, or scenic interest. Children thoroughly enjoy finding a geocache and its contents, which are often small toys and trinkets. Finders are expected to exchange things from the cache.

Geocachers are usually environmentally minded people and are encouraged to follow the Cache In, Trash Out motto which has resulted in tons of rubbish being removed from around the world, thereby having a positive environmental impact of the activity.

Great care is taken to hide the containers out of view of the public eye (although they are never buried). This is partly to avoid being plundered by whoever happens to walk by and to preserve the sport. It also ensures that the addition of a cache will in no way detract from the beauty of the location. Typical cache containers range from tiny ones the size of a fingernail, through tubes and cylinders with room just for a small pencil and log sheet, up to plastic or metal boxes with space for several swap items and a log book.

Once a geocache has become established, it will get a visit every one to two weeks on average, although there are more visits initially.

I would be happy to provide you with any other information which you may need.

Yours,

written by Spoerke

Dear __________:

I am writing with the hope of receiving permission to place a geocache in __________________. If you are unfamiliar with the word geocache, a geocache is a hidden container that holds a logbook and may also contain items for trade; it is also the focal point of the free, family–friendly outdoor recreational sport called Geocaching. The people who participate in Geocaching are called Geocachers.

Geocachers are generally environmentally minded people who strongly believe in preserving the area they are in. One way they help preserve the area is by following the Cache in, Trash out motto, meaning Geocachers do their best to collect any litter they may come across. These efforts result in tons of trash being removed from parks, forests, lakes, oceans and other areas around the world every year.

In accordance with Geocaching rules, my geocache would not 1) deface any property, 2) contain any illegal or inappropriate material, and 3) detract from or devalue the surroundings in any manner. Furthermore, the geocache would be camouflaged to blend in with the surroundings and I would maintain the geocache at all times.

Managers of many parks and nature preserves have determined that Geocaching is a beneficial, low impact activity and encourage the sport on their lands. Likewise, Geocachers often discover exciting new places through the sport, while getting exercise and gaining an appreciation for these areas.

I believe that ________ is a place that would be of interest to Geocachers and I would like to place the geocache no later than (DATE), so please respond at your earliest convenience.

To learn more about Geocaching, please visit http://www.geocaching.com

Best,

date posted: | last edited: | author: Spoerke
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