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Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Situation / Oklahoma Events & Geocaches

March 20, 2020 (Moratorium on Events):  As the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve, there have been increased directives and recommendations from federal officials and city and state government officials in Oklahoma emphasizing that gatherings of greater than 10 people be avoided, cancelled and/or rescheduled. Additionally, the mayors of Oklahoma City and Tulsa have ordered the closure of all bars and limited restaurants to carryout/delivery.  Other public places where groups of people may gather have also been closed. The end date for these restrictions ranges from April 12 to indefinitely.

March 22, 2020:  In addition to Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the cities of Broken Arrow, Edmond, Lawton, Norman, and Stillwater have now closed all bars and restricted restaurants to carryout/delivery only.

Based upon this and in consideration of social distancing, new geocaching events, including CITO events, will not be published, until further notice.

Additionally, for events which have already been published, the hosts should consider either cancelling the event or postponing it to a future date when such restrictions are lifted, and social distancing is no longer recommended.

If you decide to cancel your event, the following steps should be taken:

1. Create an Announcement log to notify users that the Event is cancelled.

2. Archive the listing.

If you decide to postpone your event, the following steps should be taken:

1. Create an Announcement log to notify users that the Event is being postponed.

2. Either archive the listing and submit a new listing,

   OR

3. Request the reviewer to retract the listing (which basically takes it from a published state)

4. Edit the existing listing to change the date, time, and any other affected information

5. Submit the revised listing for review.

April 5, 2020 (Moratorium on Geocaches):  Due to the present "safer at home" order issued by Oklahoma Governor Stitt and the “stay at home” orders issued by many Oklahoma cities and towns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is prudent to revise the reviewing practices for the State of Oklahoma effective April 5, 2020.

Until such orders are lifted, only caches in those locations which are consistent with social distancing will be published, such as locations in extremely remote areas, on hiking trails not within city parks, and/or far from residential areas and businesses within or close to cities and towns.  Caches in or near residential areas, caches near businesses, or caches in locations that are officially closed will not be published.  If there is uncertainty about a particular cache location, caution will prevail and the cache will not be published.  While this approach may be imperfect, it is consistent with with the orders provided by state and local officials and preferable to stopping all cache publication within the state.

Your understanding in these unprecedented times is greatly appreciated.

Oklahoma State Parks

A geocache permit is required for all Oklahoma State Parks. The permits are issued locally at each state park office or visitor's center. The permit number should be added to the Description section of the cache listing (example: This cache was placed with permission of (Name) State Park, Permit No. XYZ). Permit numbers are uniquely assigned by each state park.

Ouachita National Forest

A geocache permit is required for placing a cache within the boundaries of the Ouachita National Forest. The permits are issued locally at the district offices within the National Forest. The permit number should be added to the Description section of the cache listing (example: This cache was placed with permission of Ouachita National Forest, Permit No. xx). Permit numbers are uniquely assigned by each district office. There are many "islands" of private property with the National Forest, so there may be locations within the forest boundaries where a permit is not required. The cache owner must provide this information, however.

Railroad Property

Geocaches placed within 150 feet of an active railroad tracks, including spur lines, are considered to be on property belonging to a railroad.  Explicit permission from the railroad company owning the line must be obtained before a geocache will be allowed within that area.  Exceptions are generally allowed for geocaches placed in public parks, recreation areas, parking lots, etc., especially where man-made physical barriers are provided between the tracks and the geocache's hiding spot.  However, exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis for the given situation and allowance of the placement should not be assumed by the cache owner.