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Geocaching Impacted by Covid-19

Dear Caching Community,

I hope you are staying safe. 

On March 23, I made adjustments in cache reviewing practices as a result of covid-19 and the Governor’s Stay at Home orders. As the state continues to provide updated guidance, I will continue to revise I review caches – based on any statewide or local restrictions. As restrictions may vary throughout the state – so too may reviewing.

The information here is accurate as of July 20^th, and will continue to evolve. My primary focus continues to be the health and safety of the entire community, including cachers and non-cachers alike. I seek to comply with current and emerging information and requirements from health and governmental entities.

Physical Caches:

Caches which are in locations consistent with social distancing, such as on a hiking trails, and/or far from residential areas and businesses.  Any physical cache which is in one or more of the following areas WILL NOT BE LISTED until such time as all social distancing restrictions or guidelines are removed:

• In (or immediately adjacent to) the front yard of a private residence.
• Close to the entry of any business or public space
• In locations that are officially closed (such as many state parks)
• If I am unsure about a particular cache, I will not list it.  I realize this approach imperfect, but I feel it is both consistent with the Governor’s order and preferable to stopping all cache publication.
• Inside a building; such as libraries, public space, or businesses.

Event Caches:

At this time, I WILL list event caches which do meet the following criteria:

• Event is in an outdoor location (no indoor events will be listed at this time).
• The outdoor area must be large enough and conducive to allow for social distancing.
• The Event Host MUST be responsible to assure the attendees adhere to all local restrictions and guidance for gatherings and social distancing.

I will continue to monitor covid-19 information and will continue to revisit which caches I may publish. I will post the list of areas that are closed on our geocaching.com profile pages; I encourage you to let me know if something should be updated.

If your cache was previously disabled due to restrictions you feel are no longer applicable and meets the criteria above – I would encourage you to resubmit it for publication.

My commitment to look at each cache within 7 days of submission has not changed, though it’s possible that something may change between a first look and when a cache is ready for publication.

Thank you for understanding,

GeoCrater

Black Hills National Forest

The Black Hills National Forest allows geocaching within its boundaries.  Be aware that there are patches of private land scattered throughout the Black Hills, and as such those areas need permission from the land owner.

Mickelson Trail

Geocaches are permitted along the Mickelson Trail, providing the caches are placed in safe locations, do not interfere with those using the trail, and do not intrude or trespass on areas of adjacent private property.  All rules and regulations concerning the use of the trail apply, including payment of any use fees. SD GFP - Mickelson Trail

South Dakota State Parks

The South Dakota State Parks require permission from the park superintendent for cache placement. Please state that permission was granted on the cache page, and provide the name and contact information of the person giving permission in a reviewer note. Custer State Park does not give permission.

Custer State Park in the Black Hills does not allow any NEW physical caches.  Permission may be given for non-physical caches such as Virtuals and EarthCaches.  However there are a handful of grandfathered caches which have been allowed to stay, providing they continue to be maintained.

South Dakota Game Production Areas

South Dakota bans geocaches in Game Production Areas managed by the SD Fish and Game Department. 

Maps of these areas may be found here:    https://sdgfp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=946eccdaadf84df6aa2bcf08e9fb1aaf

Black Elk Wilderness

Geocaches are banned in the Black Elk Wilderness Area of the Black Hills.

National Park Service Lands

Properties operated by the National Park Service do not allow physical geocaches. This includes Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Jewel Cave National Monument, along with all other monuments and areas operated by the National Park Service.

National Wildlife Refuges

Geocaching is banned in all National Wildlife Refuges AND Waterfowl Production Areas, lands managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Maps of these areas (for the entire US System) may be found here:  https://gis-fws.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/fws::fws-national-realty-tracts-simplified/about

Army Corps of Engineer managed properties

Geocaching is allowed on CoE managed property but require are subject to specific permitting processes prior to placement.

Native American Lands

Geocaching is allowed / not allowed on Native Lands per the following conditions:

• Cache is within a public park in town - allowed
  
• Cache is along along an established county or state road ROW (maintained by State or county DOT) - allowed
  
• Caches are NOT allowed on BIA named or numbered roads are off limits, or other off road areas without specific, verifiable permission from the reservation land manager.

Cemeteries

At this time there is no prohibition concerning geocaching within cemeteries in the state of South Dakota. There are some municipal cemeteries that specifically ban any recreational activities within the cemetery grounds.  It is the cache owner's responsibility to verify those regulations before placing a geocache within any cemetery.  Geocaches must be respectfully placed around the perimeter away from any graves or markers.

School Grounds and Proximity

The guidelines specifically state "a geocache is problematic due to its proximity to a public structure. Examples include highway bridges, major roadways, dams, government buildings, schools, military installations, hospitals, airports and other areas defined in the Regional Geocaching Policies Wiki."

Generally - should some one seeking a cache be visible from the school buildings, parking areas, and/or playing fields - I consider the cache to be "too close".

This restriction applies even with verifiable permission - as this permission can not be clearly communicated to all "stakeholders" of the school - including the administration, teachers, students, staff, and parents.

Tree Climbing

Caches will not be listed if ladders, special equipment, or climbing is required to reach the cache.  These will require specific, verifiable permission.  All caches in city parks must be reachable from the ground, or be placed under the tree.

Sioux Falls Parks

Caches placed in trees that require climbing or using ladders will not be published within the boundaries of any public park in Sioux Falls, including the entire length of and either side of the Bike Path. All caches must be placed so no branches or any part of the tree or shrub will be damaged during cache placement or finding / logging. Sioux Falls Parks & Rec recommends that caches be placed on top of the ground by the base of the tree or shrub.

§ 95.004  PROTECTION TO TREES AND SHRUBBERY.

§ 95.007  INJURING PARK PROPERTY.