Table of Contents

Statewide

Challenges

The guidelines don't specify from what area "plenty of qualifying caches" is. For the purposes of this state, consider 500 miles to be a reasonable ending spot for the majority of challenges in regards to "plenty of qualifying caches". This does not mean that all challenge caches will have a max of 500 miles or it will be applied to every challenge but if we have concerns, that will be the distance we will use.

COVID-19 Updates

Guidance on New Cache Publications - UPDATED 6/9/21

Dear Pennsylvania Caching Community,

The Pennsylvania Community Volunteer Reviewers are pleased to publish event caches of all types again, because there are presently no governmental restrictions on events as a result of COVID-19. We continue to update the Pennsylvania section of the Regional Geocaching Policies Wiki in order to comply with current and emerging information and requirements from health and government experts.

We continue to publish all physical Geocaches statewide that meet the Geocache Hiding Guidelines.

Event hosts should consult State and County websites to make sure that their event cache submission complies with applicable laws and governmental orders, including at the County level. Post-publication, event hosts are expected to monitor for changes in the restrictions applicable to public gatherings. If an event was permitted at the time of publication, but subsequent developments places the event in violation of applicable laws, then the event should be disabled or archived.

Thank you for your understanding, and stay well.

Keystone, OReviewer and Skeetsurfer

Cache Maintenance Expectations

Geocaching HQ has asked the Community Volunteer Reviewers to "provide extra time for addressing maintenance issues on existing caches." See the Geocaching.com "Updates" page, "HQ's Response to COVID-19." The Pennsylvania Reviewer team is following this guidance. We don't want a cache owner to feel obligated to make a maintenance visit to their cache if they feel uncomfortable doing so. Accordingly, the community should not worry if they see a cache that has been temporarily disabled for several months, or one that has accumulated several consecutive DNF logs. We are keeping track of these caches and we will address the issues on a more flexible schedule. Cache owners who feel comfortable doing so are encouraged to visit their caches that might need maintenance. Cache owners with health concerns should post a brief explanation (without disclosing personal details) if their cache receives a "Needs Maintenance" log, a "Needs Archived" log, or a Reviewer log relating to maintenance. Cache finders are cautioned to check the recent logs before seeking a geocache that might be missing or damaged. Thanks for your understanding!

Allegheny County

Allegheny County Parks Department (Pittsburgh area)

Cache placements in Allegheny County Parks require permission. Work with the local park office. The policy requirements and a permit form are available in the Policies, Rules and Regulations section of the County website.

Covered

Allegheny County Parks Department (Pittsburgh area)

Cache placements in Allegheny County Parks require permission. Work with the local park office. The policy requirements and a permit form are available in the Policies, Rules and Regulations section of the County website.

Covered parks include Boyce Park, Deer Lakes Park, Harrison Hills Park, Hartwood Acres, North Park, Round Hill Park, Settlers Cabin Park, South Park and White Oak Park. Maps of the Parks can be found on the Parks Department website.

Squaw Valley Park (O'Hara Township)

Geocaches are not permitted in this park, due to concerns about hunters and complaints from neighboring landowners.

Allegheny National Forest (ANF)

No permit or express permission is required, but the guidelines in this link must be followed.

Geocaching is a permitted activity in most parts of the ANF.

Geocaching is not permitted in the Hickory Creek Wilderness, Allegheny Islands Wilderness, Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas, Hearts Content Scenic Area, and all developed recreation sites.

Berks County

Blue Marsh Lake, Army Corps of Engineers

The US Army Corps of Engineers at Blue Marsh Lake requires anyone desiring to place a Geocache within the Blue Marsh Lake area to submit an Application. This policy was established in May 2003.

Contact: Jeffrey S Piscanio
Natural Resources Specialist
Blue Marsh Lake
US Army Corps of Engineers
1268 Palisades Dr.
Leesport, Pa. 19533
610-376-6337 ext. 206

Permit: BlueMarsh-Application-Geocache-Permit.doc

You are required to add the approval logo on your cache page. The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description is:

And it will look like what you see below.

Berks County Parks and Recreation

Contact: Berks Parks System

Web: Berks County Parks

All caches placed in the Berks County park system must have the permission of Berks County Parks and Recreation.

BCPRD-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf

Geocaching-Guidelines.pdf

Geocaching-Permit-Form.pdf

Multi-Cache-Geocaching-Permit-Form.pdf

You are required to add the approval logo on your cache page. The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description is:

And it will look like what you see below.

Bucks

Bucks County Parks

Bucks County Parks are currently working on a permit system and until it is done, no caches are to be placed on their land.

Doylestown

Please obtain permission from Kristin Sweeney, Director of Parks & Recreation for Doylestown Township.

Cemeteries

While cemetery caches are fine, we are very careful about listing anything that is too close to a grave. Please include as much information as possible on where and how it the cache is hidden.

Centre Region Parks

Geocaches in Centre Region Parks must have a free permit that expires after 12 months with an option to renew.

Contact: Melissa Freed at CRPR: (814) 235-7819 (M-F, 8-5)

Web: Geocaching Policy Page (.pdf version)

Locations of Parks

Application: Form

Once your cache is permitted, you are required to add the approval logo on your cache page. The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description is as follows. Make sure to include your permit approval number and expiration date.

<a href="https://gcwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/display/GEO/Pennsylvania#Pennsylvania-CentreRegionParks "><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/gs-geo-images/369c0952-c580-44f1-b9e9-aa3358100ca0.jpg" /></a> Geocache Identification Permit Approval Number: Permit Expires on:

And it will look like what you see below.

Chester County

Bradford Cemetery

No caches allowed in Bradford county per Bradford Cemetery administration. Visiting the Bradford Cemetery for any type of geocaching will be considered trespassing.

Map

Chester County Facilities & Parks

Web: Chester County Parks

Application: Chester County Geocaching Permission Form.pdf

In Cache Information Sheet: Official Geocache form 2012.pdf

All caches in the Chester County park system must have the permission of Chester County Facilities & Parks. More information about the park system can be seen at https://www.chesco.org/4498/Parks-Preservation. Please follow all rules and regulations, which are very similar to the DCNR policy outlined below. In addition, parks are open during day light hours only and dogs are allowed if they are on a 6' leash.

You are required to add the Chester County Geocaching permit and information on your cache page. The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description is:

<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="4" width="100%" bgcolor="#4169E1" border="0" align="center">
<tr bgcolor="#87CEEB">
<td width="30"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://img.geocaching.com/cache/a996221a-174d-47f8-ac10-9ea1c98097c7.jpg"><img src="http://img.geocaching.com/cache/30692dc2-0a07-46b9-8fe5-fd94860f6490.jpg" align="absmiddle" /></a></td>
<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">This cache was placed with the permission of <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.chesco.org/4498/Parks-Preservation ">Chester County Parks & Recreation Department</a>. All caches must have the permission of Chester County Facilities & Parks Department. Please follow all Chester County Facilities & Parks <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/5774/Real-Estate-Rules-and-Regulations ">Rule and Regulations</a>. Parks are open year-round, 8 am to sunset. Dogs are permitted on a 6' leash. Hunting may take place within the parks during applicable hunting seasons. For more information on Chester County Parks and contact information, please visit <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.chesco.org/4498/Parks-Preservation">https://www.chesco.org/4498/Parks-Preservation</a>.</td>
</tr>
</table>

And it will look like what you see below.

Erie, Wegman's, US 19 (Peach St.)

Management does not allow geocaching on its property.

Erie, Millcreek Mall

Management does not allow geocaching on its property.

HJP Park & Open Space

Contact: Harold W. Ernsberger (mailto:%20director@hjpparks.org)

Web: Hamilton, Jackson, Pocono Park and Open Space Commission

All caches placed on the HJP Park & Open Space must have the permission. You must include the permission logo on your page.

HJP Geocache Policy.pdf

HJP Permit Application.pdf

The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description to add the permission logo is:

Lancaster County Conservancy

The conservancy does not allow public geocaching hides.

Lower Salford Township

All geocaches are banned on township property. Information on their parks can be found here.

Lower Saucon Township

Contact: Parks Manager (mailto: manager@lowersaucontownship.org)

Web: Lower Saucon Parks & Recreation

Policy: Permit Policy And Information

Permit: Permit Form

The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description to add the permission logo is:

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Parks Department

All caches in the Montgomery County Parks Department must have the permission, modeled after PA DCNR's guidelines. Each Park Superintendent handles the requests directly. You must contact the specific Park Superintendent for approval to locate any new caches in the parks. Listed below are the email addresses for each Park Superintendent.

Green Lane jellis@montcopa.org
Lower Perkiomen Valley Park & Schyulkill Trail mharris@montcopa.org
Norristown Farm Park kshellen@montcopa.org
Central Perkiomen Valley Park & Perk Trail rwood@montcopa.org
Upper Schuylkill Valley Park mharris@montcopa.org
Lorimer Park & county lands in Wissahickon John.Mandracchia@montgomerycountypa.gov

The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description to add the permission logo is:

Valley Forge Audubon's, Eva R. Meng Wildlife Preserve and Bird Sanctuary

Requires permission for hides on their land.

National Park Service

NPS managed land in Pennsylvania are off-limits to geocache placements (virtual or physical) without a special usage permit. This includes but is not limited to areas directly on the official A.T. corridor. Visit Link For Locations

Special Note: First State National Historical Park was created in 2013 from donated lands. Some of these lands already had caches on them. We will be considering these geocaches grandfathered (allowed to stay in their locations) until we hear from the NPS asking us to remove them. However, we will not be publishing any new ones on these lands without their permissions. NPS Maps of First State National Historical Park

National Wildlife Refuges

In Pennsylvania are off-limits to physical geocache placements. Visit Link For Locations

Northampton Township

All geocaches placed on township property require a permit before they can be published. Please pick up a form at:
55 Township Road
Richboro, PA 18954

Between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Please note that you must provide proof of residence to place a cache.

Information on their parks can be found here.

Pennsylvania State Forests and Parks (DCNR)

Caches in State Parks and Forests must have a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Information about their geocaching policy can be found at this link.

Here are the easy steps for the Pennsylvania permit process:

Scout your location and mark your waypoint(s) for the cache hiding place(s). Consider contacting the DCNR office in advance... they may suggest good hiding places, and tell you about areas to steer away from.
Set up your cache page on Geocaching.com, and submit it for approval, but say in the "Note to Reviewer" field: "PLEASE HOLD.... approval from DCNR is pending." This lets me (or another reviewer) know to hold your cache in the review queue until the permit is obtained. I will review your cache and let you know right away if I have any questions other than your permit.
Fill out the Geocache Identification form (found at the DCNR website linked above), including the URL for your cache page, its GC number, the coordinates for your cache, etc.
Visit the Park or Forestry office and submit your form. Your cache is then reviewed by the ranger or forester, which may or may not happen right then, depending on whether you've contacted them in advance.
You'll be advised when your cache is approved. Sign the Geocaching Agreement provided to you at the Park or Forestry Office. They'll also give you a FREE green sticker to put on your cache container.
Place your cache as described in your permit.
Post a Reviewer Note on the cache page saying that your permit was obtained. I will then list your cache on the website, assuming it meets all other guidelines.

Note: DCNR does NOT allow Members Only caches (PMOC) on their land.

Use the "placed with permission" logo, approved by DCNR, on your cache page. The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description is

And it will look like what you see here.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

All geocaches are banned on Pennsylvania Turnpike properties, including but not limited to rights of way, emergency pulloff areas, interchanges and rest areas.

Sharon, Buhl Park

Per the Buhl Park Trustees all new caches have to be pre-approved by Bud Mehalko Head of Buhl Park Security.

Phone 724-962-9648
—

Towamencin Township

All geocaches are banned on township property.

Information on their parks can be found here.

Upper Dublin township

Parks managed by Upper Dublin require a geocaching permit. For questions about the permit system or if land is covered under this permit, please contact Derek Dureka. A copy of the permit can be found here. A map of their parks can be found here. Additionally, you will need to include their logo on your cache page. The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description is

<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.upperdublin.net/departments/parks-recreation/"><img src="http://img.geocaching.com/cache/7ddd0a83-31fc-4122-ae94-4e4a9a15f46b.jpg" border="0" /></a></center> 
And it will look like what you see here.

West Chester Parks And Rec

Contact: Rich Ashenfelder

Website: West Chester Parks and Rec

Cache Rules

Caches can only be active for 3 years.
Cache in – Trash out

Use the below logo, on your cache page. The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description is

<center><img src="http://http://img.geocaching.com/cache/6dd5adfe-b6f0-4dea-a504-03fcd63f444b.gif?rnd=0.9638417"> </center>
And it will look like what you see here.

Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County Conservancy

All geocaches on Westmoreland County Conservancy properties require permission.

Policy Guidelines and Contact Information

Map and List of Conservancy Properties

Westmoreland County Parks and Rec

All geocaches in Westmoreland County Parks require permission.

Link to Permit Requirements

Link to Application Form

Link to List of Parks

West Whiteland Township

Contact: Janice Gottesfeld

Website: West Whiteland Township Parks and Recreation.

West Whiteland Township's Internal Geocaching Review Process

Gecocache Identification Form is completed
Parks Superintendent inspects cache and location
Parks Superintendent approves or makes suggestions or does not approve
Upon approval, permit is issued
Geocache ID and photo of cache is placed on file with Parks and Police Depts.
Owner than takes cache information to geocaching.com for listing, upon the web site's review and approval the listing is posted.

York County Parks

Contact: Unknown

Website: York County Department of Parks and Recreation

York County Parks Geo Cache Policy

April 27, 2004

The following guidelines apply to all Geo Caches on County Park land:

Placement of Geo Caches on land administered by the York County Department of Parks and Recreation requires authorization of the Parks' Executive Director or his designee.

A Geo Cache contact person responsible for necessary upkeep of the site must be identified prior to approval by the Parks' Executive Director.

Before authorization can be given, a formal request must be made in writing. The formal request must include: date, name, address, phone number, email address, group responsible for Geo Cache, longitude, latitude of Geo Cache(s), directions to location, website(s) where Geo Cache will be advertised, wording used in all advertisements, type of canister used to hold Geo Cache and a list of materials located inside the Geo Cache. Accompanying the formal request must be a copy of a county park brochure map marking the location of the Geo Cache and a picture showing the exact location of the proposed Geo Cache.

There should be no earth disturbance or vegetative impact to any approved site. Nor should the cache be readily discernible by the general public.

Cache(s) shall not be placed in a plastic (PVC) pipe.

Cache name must be clearly visible on the exterior of all Geo Cache containers. A "official Geo Cache" sticker (park logo sticker) should be placed on the container. The cache name must be the same on the "official Geo Cache" sticker, identification form, and any web site postings.

The cache may not be placed within Natural Areas, stream banks, riparian communities, ecologically sensitive areas, unique geological features, dam structures, or unsafe areas.

A cache may remain at the approved site for no more than three (3) years at which time it must be removed, the site restored to its original condition, and the Park's Executive Director must be informed in writing of its removal within two weeks of the expiration date. This will control cache abandonment and assist in preventing renegade trail development within the county parks.

Unauthorized Geo Caches on County Park lands will be removed and treated as abandoned property, and the responsible person will be cited for littering.

Responsible party shall delete site location (s) from all publications and/or website(s) within seven days of removal.

Adopted by York County Advisory Board of Parks & Recreation: April 27, 2004

Geocache policies/wp/mf/4/19/04

Additionally, you will need to include their logo on your cache page. The html that you should copy and paste into your cache description is <center><img src="http://img.geocaching.com/cache/1afa6d2d-ced3-4f85-ad5a-a0610570c3d9.jpg" border="0" /></center>

And it will look like what you see here.

Pennsylvania Reviewers

Keystone, Mr. Ollivander, OReviewer, skeetsurfer

About This Guide

The local laws and guidelines for geocaching placement vary from place to place. As community reviewers learn geocache placement policies for a certain location, they can add it here. This site may not be a complete or accurate list of land policies. These policies are made by the land owner or manager, they are neither the reviewer’s nor Geocaching HQ’s. This guide is just for reference, if no policies for the area you’re looking for are listed, that doesn't mean no policies exist. You must still obtain permission to place your geocache from the landowner or land manager,comply with all applicable laws, and follow the Geocaching Listing Requirements.

If you have an update, email the community reviewer(s) listed.

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