Table of Contents

National Parks

All areas within the boundaries of National Parks located in Nevada are off limits to all geocaches and geocaching activities.

These parks include:

• Great Basin National Park
• Great Basin National Monument
• Death Valley National Park
• Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
• Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area
• Petroglyph Management Area
• Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Contact for Red Rock Canyon, Sloan Canyon, and Petroglyph is:

Marc Sanchez

Outdoor Recreation Planner

Red Rock/Sloan Field Office
Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area

702.515.5357

marc_sanchez@blm.gov

National Wilderness Areas

All areas within the boundaries of all National Wilderness Areas located in Nevada are off limits to all geocaches and geocaching activities – with the exception of the Mt Rose area.

The Mt. Rose allows geocaches which meet all of the published guidelines.

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

Power Trails

Please note - YOU will be the one responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of your cache as outlined in the Guidelines. If you are not going to be able to regularly visit and maintain your cache as required then please do not submit these caches.  Your prompt attention to any log that indicates things could be amiss will be greatly appreciated by all geocachers.  The rule is; if you can't fix it straight away then "Disable" it until you can, see this Help Center article - http://support.groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=235

You, as the Cache Owner, may not ask “the community” to maintain caches on your behalf.  In certain circumstances, you may designate other cachers to assist in maintaining.  These other cachers must be active local cachers, local to the area where the cache is placed.  However – you – as the cache owner - remain primarily responsible for all maintenance.

To assure maintenance of this cache power trail is performed, I would request the following wording be placed on each cache page in a prominent location:

To assure this cache Power Trail remains active and available for all who seek these caches, this cache (and the others in this trail) is maintained by the cache owner (Name).  (As appropriate – please add) These additional local cachers will assist with the cache maintenance:  Name/Link, Name/Link, Name/Link.

Cachers are encouraged to communicate any caches requiring attention by placing a Needs Maintenance note on this cache page.

US Army Corps of Engineers National Policy

1. Purpose. Geocaching may be allowed on public lands managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 (CFR 36) and any applicable State or local rules and regulations, provided the activity is conducted in a non-obtrusive manner. Geocaching can be an appropriate and compatible recreational activity on public land and water, as long as common sense guidelines are followed. Some Corps projects have used the popularity of the sport as an innovative tool to distribute information, such as water safety, in geocaches on Corps-managed lands.

2. What is Geocaching. Geocaching is an outdoor adventure activity for users of global positioning systems (GPS). Individuals and organizations set up geocaches (caches) all over the world and share their locations, often through the Internet. Numerous websites are available, with one of the most popular being http://www.geocaching.com/. GPS users can then find the caches through published coordinates and site descriptions. Most commonly, a geocache is an object or container holding small objects for exchange. The finder may remove the enclosed "prize" and leave another, sign a logbook, or utilize a number of variations. Some "caches" are simply locations with unusual vegetation or unique land features the cache owner wants the cache hunter to experience (virtual caches). There is also a derivative form of the sport that searches for published coordinates of an existing historical monument, plaque, or benchmark. While geocaching has become the standard name for the sport, other terms include Navicaching, GPS Orienteering, GPS Stash Hunt, and Benchmarking.

3. Policy. In accordance with 36 CPR 327.19 or 327.21, District Engineers, or their designees, may develop permit systems or policies to track and/or control placement of geocaches on project lands, provided this use does not conflict with project missions or security. Simplicity and ease of compliance should be emphasized. Information needed from the proposed geocache owner will include the cache coordinates (location), his/her name, and his/her address and phone number. The intent of collecting this information is to keep track of the location and number of caches on the project and to contact the owner if the cache needs to be removed. During application, the project should ask the proposed cache owner to provide a current picture form of identification with an address to confirm the applicant's identity. This information is voluntary, however the applicants request can be denied for failure to comply with the information request. The project is required to store this information in a secure manner. Geocache objects or containers should be clearly identified as such when placed on public lands. Transparent containers are required, due to homeland security issues. Caches should not contain alcohol, illicit, or other inappropriate materials. It is the due diligence responsibility of the Project Operations Manager to work with the cache owners and jointly conduct periodically cache inspections to insure they are not being used for illicit and/or inappropriate materials.

a. Individuals or groups that participate in geocaching activities on Corps projects must assume responsibility for coordinating these activities with the appropriate Corps project. This will help prevent potential conflicts with management activities, such as controlled bums, timber sales, wildlife planting activities, etc.

4. Restrictions. It is the due diligence responsibility of the Project Operations Manager to establish designated areas where geocaching will be allowed and other areas where it will be restricted. Geocaching activities will not be allowed to occur in restricted areas where there could be conflicts with project missions, project security, or the safety of the general public.

Examples where geocaching would not be allowed include but are not limited to:

a. In designated restricted areas.

b. If the cache, directly or indirectly, would negatively affect ecologically, environmentally, or socially sensitive areas (threatened or endangered species, critical habitats, cultural resources, tribal lands without consent, etc.).

c. In areas that may pose safety risks, such as unstable banks, cliffs, or other potential hazards.

d. Where geocaching activities may interfere with established public uses, such as launching,  picnicking, swimming, etc.

e. Below normal operating pool levels.

f. Where geocaching activities may interfere with the operation of the project.

g. In areas where the security of the project and/or public safety would be at risk.

5. Management Considerations. Management considerations at individual projects may require other permanent or temporary measures to ensure that geocaching activities are compatible with other project uses. For example, a project may need to prohibit geocaching during active management in an area for timber harvest, prescribed burning, hunting, or other wildlife management activities. Some projects may want to encourage and actively participate in geocaching activities to promote the Corps message in a positive way.

a. In certain instances, it may be necessary to issue a Special Event Permit in compliance with Title 36, 327.21. Conditions that may warrant the need for a Special Event Permit may include one-time activities that are publicly advertised, commercial in nature, involve large numbers of participants, provide cash prizes or other significant awards, have the potential to conflict with other uses of an area, etc.

b. If a cache must be removed from public lands for operational, safety, environmental, cultural, or other reason, a reasonable effort should be made to contact the cache owner and request removal. If the owner cannot be found, or the cache is not removed within a reasonable time, the cache may be removed and impounded as abandoned property, under 36 CFR 327.15.

6. Summary. In general, geocaching can be a fun and appropriate recreational activity at Corps projects, provided the security or missions of the project are not compromised. It provides an opportunity for positive interactions and partnerships with local groups involved in this activity.

Monitoring of web sites and communication and participation with these groups can form healthy relationships with benefits to all involved. Working with these groups can prevent undesired behavior and promote the Corps as a willing partner. Regulation should be based on common sense needs of specific projects or regions, with minimum permitting burden on the recreating public.

7. Point of Contact. The point of contact is Mr. Tim Toplisek, CECW-SAD, (202) 761-4259.

Native American Reservations

All geocaches and geocaching activities within the boundaries of most Native American Reservations located in Nevada are subject to verifiable, documented permission.  Your Reviewer is able to provide specifics at the time of cache placement.

These reservations include those currently documented here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_reservations_in_Nevada

Nevada State Parks

Any geocaches and geocaching activities within the following State Parks should have verifiable, documented permission prior to hiding the cache.

School 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.

Bureau of Land Management

There are no designated geocaching areas on public lands managed by the BLM in Nevada.  However, BLM welcomes this activity in appropriate locations on public lands when it is conducted with minimal impact to the environment.

A special recreation permit (SRP) is not required if the geocaching activity complies with casual use conditions. The following conditions apply to casual use. The activity:

• is not a commercial endeavor.
• complies with land use decisions and designations, (i.e. special area designations and wilderness interim management policy).
• does not award cash prizes.
• is not publicly advertised.
• poses minimal risk for damage to public land or related water resource values.
• requires no monitoring.

Even if the use is determined to be casual, there still may be some concerns about the use, such as placing a cache:

• in Congressionally designated wilderness or wilderness study areas.
• at cultural resource sites.
• at areas with threatened or endangered species.
• any other special fragile areas such as caves, bog, wetlands, riparian areas, or steep slopes.

In this case it would be appropriate to issue a "letter of agreement" with special stipulations attached that would address the concerns.

If the geocaching activity or event does not meet the above conditions, the event should be treated as any other organized recreational group or competitive activity or event for which BLM would require the event organizer to obtain an special recreation permit.

The BLM believes that geocaching is an appropriate casual use of public land. However, if use increases or becomes a management issue in a particular area, the following minimum steps may be taken:

• Locate a person or group that is responsible for the cache and have them register the cache with the BLM. Make sure the cache is safe and environmentally sound.
• Prepare an environmental assessment or other appropriate National Environmental Protection Act document.
• Issue a letter of agreement or SRP with special stipulations to mitigate.
• Remove the cache from public lands if sites are not registered within a reasonable amount of time after notification. Normally, the cache would be determined to be abandoned property after 10 days unless the appropriate authorization has been obtained.
• Monitor the use to assess public health and safety and environmental protection issues.
• Take appropriate steps to properly manage the activity/sport if it becomes too large and begins to conflict with other authorized use.

Links containing the above information and more may be found here:  http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/geocaching.php
http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/geocaching-more-info.php

Event Stacking

Event stacking refers to holding multiple events that are close to each other in location and time with the intent of the same audience attending. Events are social gatherings of geocachers that encourage social interactions and support the geocaching community and as such offer more than simply a smiley. If an event is submitted and another event is either already published or also waiting for review and there appears to be stacking, the following guidelines will be used when one or both events are within Nevada:

Typically, events will be published within a similar time period only if they are more than about 30 miles or an hour's drive apart. Events closer to each other than these times/distances will only be published if the end time of the first event is at least 2 hours before the start time of the next. 

A CITO event may either be preceded or followed by a regular event (but not both). The main activity should be the CITO event, and the regular event is for CITO attendees to socialize together before or afterward. CITO events may not be used to clean up after another event. 

On the day before and the day after a Mega/Giga event, only events that are part of the Mega/Giga will be published within about 50 miles or a two-hour drive from the Mega/Giga event. 

On the day of a Mega/Giga event, no events will be published within about 100 miles or a three hour drive from the Mega/Giga event except for a single additional event hosted by the Mega/Giga committee. 

Other

There are other miscellaneous areas within the State of Nevada which prohibit geocaches or geocaching activities either on a temporary or permanent basis.  The Volunteer Reviewers for Geocaching.com will highlight these and work with the cache owners as appropriate.

Table of Contents

Contact regional reviewers to see if information is available.