Geocaching

Find a cache in the Milwaukee County Parks! Geocaching is a popular outdoor "scavenger hunt" that uses a global positioning system (GPS) device and internet-published coordinates to locate a virtual or physical cache. A virtual cache may be an amazing view; a physical cache may be a trinket or log book in a plastic container hidden under some leaves. Geocaching is an acceptable activity in the Parks when all the guidelines are followed.

Types of Geocaching allowed in the Parks

• Virtual Caching: (Preferred methods)
  Coordinates of stationary landmarks guide participants to the virtual cache. At an Earth Cache site, visitors learn about a geoscience feature. Virtual caches are verified only by e-mailed photos of the cache site
  
  
• Physical Geocaching:

  Participants seek a hidden - not burried - physical cache. A waterproof container stores the trade item or logbook. For a letterbox cache, there is usually a logbook and rubber stamp. Participants mark their personal logbooks with the stamp from the letterbox, and use their own personal stamp to mark the letterbox's logbook. For a micro-cache, a small container such as a film canister is used.
  
  
  
  

Basic Guidelines for Geocaching (for all participants)

• You must abide by all Milwaukee County ordinances.
  
  
• You must conform to the "Leave No Trace" outdoor ethics guidelines, that is, take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints. For more information on the principles of "Leave No Trace," visit the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics website
  
  
• If you discover any illegal or hazardous materials in the cache, you must contact a Milwaukee County Parks employee immediately.
  
  
• Those placing caches must also abide by the detailed Geocaching Guidelines.