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The following information describes the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) policy governing all forms of "treasure caching" activities on the Fort Ord Public Lands. For purposes of this policy, "treasure caching" is defined as all forms of treasure hunting/hiding where an item is left in an area for others to find using navigational techniques. Generally, the location of these items is advertised through electronic media, such as the internet. This policy/management plan does not address the activity known as "virtual geocaching" or "waymarking" where coordinates are generally advertised on websites of some natural or cultural feature on the ground, however, there are no containers left on the ground to visit. This policy/management plan also does not address the activity known as "event caching" where a location is generally posted online and participants are encouraged to assemble at the said location at a certain date and time.
What type of container is allowed?
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- Please use only trails that are signed open and shown on our Fort Ord Public Lands Trail Maps. Cross-country travel, use of unsigned trails and bushwhacking is not allowed.
- Please limit your cache searches to daylight hours. The BLM lands are closed from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise.
- Enjoy your cache hunting on foot, hoof or bicycle wheel because vehicle use (including motorcycles, ATV's and four-wheel drives) are not allowed on the BLM road and trail systems.
- When considering a treasure to leave, please remember that this is a family-friendly sport and never leave anything pornographic, offensive, or flammable. Please never leave food items.
Caches that have been approved by the BLM will never be more than 20 feet from one our designated trails or roads, so save the effort looking far off trail. Also, be sure to avoid tampering with anything that is not within a clear container because there is still a chance that dangerous military artifacts may be in the area. Always obey signs that indicate closed areas that include habitat restoration sites and dangerous munitions sites. And remember, the lands you visit are home to several species of rare and endangered plants and animals, so please tread lightly and respect the natural environment.
If you have any questions about your visit to this area, feel free to contact the BLM at (831)394-8314 or (831)630-5000.
Mid Peninsula Open Space District
Mid Peninsula Open Space Policy (This is not a web page but a PDF and will download automatically.) and the Mid Peninsula Open Space Geocaching Webpage
Kind of a boiler plate agreement with the Geocaching Community in the Bay Area that is rarely enforced. Just put it here for reference.
Mission Trails Regional Park
Although there doesn't appear to be a written policy on MTRP Official Website, it is commonly understood that caches must be placed within 35 feet of an existing trail.
Ocotillo Wells District Geocaching Policy
Andrew S. Ahlberg
California State Ranger
Ocotillo Wells SVRA
Desk: 760 767 1322
Cell: 760 791 8233
Geocaching Policy
Purpose:
The purpose of the Ocotillo Wells District Geocaching Policy is to successfully manage the popular activity of geocaching within the Ocotillo Wells SVRA, Heber Dunes SVRA, and the area known as the Freeman Acquisition. The term Geocaching will be used generally to represent not only Geocaching, but related similar activities such as Letter Boxing, Bench Marking, etc.
Goal:
The goal of this policy is to provide guidance for the public taking part in Geocaching so that the activity can continue in a safe manner while protecting the natural, cultural, and historic resources that are within the Ocotillo Wells District, as well as maintaining public safety. Ocotillo Wells District recognizes the popularity of this activity as well as the opportunity it offers for high quality recreation for individuals, groups, and families. Additionally, Ocotillo Wells District hopes that all participants in this hobby practice the "Cache In Trash Out" (CITO) policy described on the Geocache Website.
Authority:
California State Parks Division of Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation is responsible for managing all activities within the Off Highway Vehicle Parks within the California State Park System. Ocotillo Wells District retains all rights and authority to authorize and manage the activity of Geocaching within its boundaries. If the District Superintendent or Designee determines that a cache was placed in violation of this policy the District Superintendent or Designee retain the right to remove the cache. If a cache is removed, the Ocotillo Wells District will attempt to contact the cache owner and return the cache. If the owner cannot be contacted the Ocotillo Wells District will handle the cache as lost property as described in the DPR Lost and Found Policy.
Cache Placement:
Use environmentally friendly behavior when placing and/or seeking a cache. This would include, but not limited to, not causing damage to natural or geologic features, not bothering wildlife, staying on trails, not collecting naturally occurring items, or any other activity that could damage any natural resource. Please leave the area the same or better than it was when you arrived.
Use all due caution when placing a cache. Caches should not be placed in areas that would place a person in any danger. Some examples of a dangerous spot would be inside mud caves, on top of ledges, at the base of overhanging cliffs, etc.
Placement of the cache shall not require any change to the natural environment such as digging. The person hiding a cache may use nearby items, such as rocks, to aid in concealing the cache, if the items are loose on the ground.
Caches should not be placed within washes that will likely lead to the cache being swept away during flash floods. The flash floods that occur in this area take large amounts of water down stream into the sensitive San Sebastian Marsh. If a cache is placed within a wash, care should be taken so that it will not become dislodge and become merely litter.
Caches shall not be placed near or cause any travel near natural or historically sensitive areas.
Marks shall not be placed on any natural features to aid in the locating of a cache.
Caches shall not be placed within any State Park Structure or Facility.
Caches shall not be attached to any historic or archaeological or geologic feature.
Cache Containers:
Containers shall be of a sturdy nature that can withstand the desert environment. Hardened plastic is not recommended as the desert environment can quickly destroy plastic and then the container itself and its contents become merely litter.
Containers shall have the ability to be secured in a fashion that would not allow any wildlife to gain access to the contents of the cache.
Containers should be moderate in size. Containers shall not be larger that 8" X 12" X 4" in size.
Containers shall be marked 'Geocache' and the name of the cache as it appears on the Geocaching website.
Cache Contents:
Contents shall be of a family friendly nature, appropriate for all ages, and not be offensive.
Contents shall not be perishable, such as food, etc.
The cache should contain a log book for finders of the cache to log their visit.
Ocotillo Wells District is an advocate of responsible outdoor recreation and recognizes the enjoyment, fun, and recreation associated with Geocaching. Ocotillo Wells District recognizes that, in most cases, Geocaching is consistent with California State Parks Mission. Ocotillo Wells District retains the right to remove a cache that it feels is in an inappropriate location, is causing undue impact on the park resources, or for any reason is deemed inconsistent with the mission and/or statutes of the California State Park System.
Santa Clara County Parks
Santa Clara County Parks (This is not a web page but a PDF and will download automatically.)
Another boiler plate kind of gentleman's agreement between the Park District and the Caching Community that is rarely enforced. I just put it here for reference.
Coachella Valley Preserve
The land manager of the Coachella Valley Preserve (and the surrounding area) is currently working on a set of guidelines that will allow for caches go be place on Preserve lands, after being reviewed by the appropriate land manager. They have provided Groundspeak with shape files showing the approximate boundaries. Current caches are not grandfathered, but must be retroactively approved by the land manager prior to December 31, 2008. Any new caches submitted between now, and when the guidelines are complete, must be vetted by the Preserve before being published.
Once the new guidelines are completed, they will be posted here.
LARPD
Livermore, CA http://larpd.dst.ca.us/
Please see attached (3 docs). It is a work in progress.
http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/board/documents/district_rules®s.pdf
The above document mentions a permit (2/13/10), but I couldn't find on their website where to obtain the permit. //
Death Valley National Park
Google Maps (the default Reviewer map) shows old boundaries for the Park. Mapquest and Yahoo Maps do a better job, but here's a link to the official NPS map for reference:
[http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/DEVAmap1a.pdf|http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/DEVAmap1a.pdf
San Dieguito River Park (SDRP)
There are special guidelines and a permit required before a cache within SDRP can be approved. You can contact the Rangers at SDRP using the following contact information:
The San Dieguito River Park
18372 Sycamore Creek Rd.
Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (858) 674-2270
Fax: (858) 674-2280
Their Geocaching policies, and a copy of their permit application form, can be downloaded from this website under the heading, Park Policies: http://www.sdrp.org/library.htm#Policies