Table of Contents

Cemeteries

We don't mind cemetery cache hides at all, just stay away from all graves and be respectful in your hide. 

Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve

As of July 2016, the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve has implemented a geocaching policy which includes issuing permits for caches placed in their park.  A signed permit must be filled out either emailed to the reviewer or submitted with your geocache listing in a reviewer note. 

You can contact them here:http://www.coffeecreekwc.org/contact-information.html

Playground Equipment

Due to the heightened awareness of threat to children, we have found it best to not allow any caches on playground equipment.  

School Grounds and Proximity

We will not publish caches that are on school grounds or near a school.  Again, near school grounds and with GPS accuracy only being so good on the best days, most likely a cacher would end up on school grounds regardless.  In many counties it is against the law to even be on school grounds unless you have been checked in through the office and have a visitors pass. 

Nature Preserves

We have found that most everyone of these will either require a permit or caches are not allowed.  This is a case by case situation.

Additional permitted and No-Cache-Zone areas will continue to be listed and updated.  However, this list is an ongoing project and in no way covers all the area.

ACRES Land Trust

https://www.acreslandtrust.org/

All caches placed on these properties require permission and a permit from the office.  Please contact them here:

https://www.acreslandtrust.org/contact/

Angel Mounds State Memorial

No geocaches are allowed here.

CILT The Central Indiana Land Trust

No geocaches are allowed by this land management.

Elkhart County Parks

Elkhart County Parks initiated a geocaching policy which includes issuing permits for caches placed in their parks.  As of this writing, they do not yet have their policy or permit online but I do have contact information for someone who can assist you in obtaining a permit.

Link to their policy:  https://elkhartcountyparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/GEOCACHING-LETTERBOXING-POLICY-13-3.pdf

Link to their permit: https://elkhartcountyparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/GEOCACHING-LETTERBOXING-APPLICATION.pdf

For more information, contact:

Jerry Good
Marketing Coordinator
Elkhart County Parks

jgood@elkhartcounty.com

Fishers Parks & Recreation

Updated 9/4/2019

Fishers Parks & Recreation no longer requires a special permit. 

Hamilton County Parks

Parks included (but not limited to):

Bray Family Homestead Park
Cool Creek Park
Coxhall Gardens
Geist Park
Lafayette Trace Park
Morse Park and Beach
Potters Bridge Park
River Road Park
Strawtown Koteewi Park
White River Campground

These county parks require a permit.  A copy of the permit must be emailed to a reviewer and will be kept on file.

Please contact:

Dan Popiela
Cool Creek Nature Center
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation
317-774-2500
dan.popiela@hamiltoncounty.in.gov

Link to the Hamilton County Geocaching requirements and the geocaching permit: https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/849/Geocaching-Permit-Form-PDF?bidId=

(Note:  Redirect isn't working, please copy and paste the URL into your browser.)

Hendricks County Parks

As of 1/1/2020 the Hendricks County Parks Department has initiated a geocaching policy which includes issuing permits for caches placed in their parks.

Parks included (but not limited to):

McCloud Nature Park

Vandalia Trail

W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park

A copy of the policy can be found here: http://hendrickscountyparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Geocaching-Letterboxing-Rules.pdf

And a copy of the application can be found here: http://hendrickscountyparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Geocaching-and-Letterboxing-Application-1.pdf

Please contact:

Sarah Wolf, Senor Park Naturalist.

mccloudnp@hcparks.net

Holiday World

Does not allow caches on their property.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

All IDNR property will require a permit on file with your reviewer before the cache can be published. 

Link to old policy:  http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20090729-IR-312090578NRA.xml.pdf

Link to actual permit:  https://forms.in.gov/Download.aspx?id=9966 

Here is the newest policy:

NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION

Information Bulletin #46 (Third Amendment)

SUBJECT: Geocaching on DNR Properties

1. Purpose and Application

The purpose of this information bulletin is to provide guidance for the management of geocaching activities on a DNR property.

A person who participates in geocaching is subject to 312 IAC 8. A "cache" is a "device" and requires a license from the department under 312 IAC 8-2-10(6)(B). The standards for a license are outlined by this information bulletin.

2. Definitions

(1) "Cache" means a container that is used in association with geocaching. A cache typically includes items such as a logbook, pen, pencil, map, or trinkets.

(2) "Containerless cache" refers to the target for geocaching for which there is no container or logbook. Objects are not traded at the site of a containerless cache.  The term includes any cache type without a container listing a DNR property, or DNR GPS coordinates located on a DNR property as the cache location. 

(3) "Department" refers to the department of natural resources.

(4) "DNR property" has the meaning set forth in 312 IAC 8-1.5-6.

(5) "Geocaching" means a game pursued by global positioning system (or "GPS") users. An individual or organization places a cache or caches and shares its or their location on the Internet. A participant in the game applies the GPS coordinates to locate a target cache or caches. When located, the participant records the find on a designated website such as www.geocaching.com. The game may provide that objects are traded at the cache.

(6) "Multi-cache" refers to containers that are located from information received in another cache.

3. License Applications

(a) A person must obtain an "official geocaching placement license" on a department form before placing a cache on or within a DNR property. A cache that is placed without first obtaining a license under this information bulletin may be removed by the department and disposed of as provided in "Personal Property Found on DNR Properties" (Information Bulletin #23).

(b) The property manager may issue, condition, or deny a license application.

(c) A person who is aggrieved by a determination by the property manager may seek informal review from the division director.  A determination by the division director is subject to administrative review under 312 IAC 3-1.

4. General Prohibitions, Limitations, and Requirements

(1)In the placement of a cache or other participation in a geocaching activity, a person must not do any of the following:

      (A)Violate 312 IAC 8 or another state or federal law.

      (B)Dig or otherwise disrupt the ground to place a cache.

      (C) Place a cache more than twenty-five (25) feet from a developed trail, road, or access point.

      (D) Place a containerless cache anywhere other than on or discoverable directly from a developed trail, road, or access point.

      (E) Locate any cache other than a containerless cache on a property administered in whole or in part by the division of nature preserves.

      (F) Locate a containerless cache on a property administered in whole or in part by the division of fish and wildlife.

(2) The maximum number of caches that can be approved on a DNR property at any time is the lesser of the following:

     (A) fifty (50); or

     (B) the number derived by dividing the total acreage of the DNR property by two hundred (200) acres. A DNR property containing between two hundred (200) and one thousand (1000) acres may have up to five (5) caches. A DNR property containing fewer than two hundred (200) acres does not qualify for geocaching.

(3) A property manager is not required to approve any multi-cache but may approve not more than five (5)multi-caches under an official geocaching placement license. No more than five (5) stages may be established in any one multi-cache.

(4) As soon as practicable after placing a cache, the person who holds an official geocaching placement license must record the exact location of the geocache on the copy of the license maintained by the property manager.

(5) The person who holds an official geocaching placement license must inspect any cache at least once every six (6) months to help ensure compliance with this information bulletin. During the inspection, the person must remove from the cache any food, alcohol, firearms, drugs, items unsuitable for minors, or other items that may pose a danger to people or wildlife.

(6) An official geocaching placement license expires

     (A) on January 1 of the year following the date of issuance; or

     (B) if issued after October 31, on January 1 of the second year following the date of issuance.

(7) A property manager may renew an official geocaching placement license for a subsequent period under the terms described in part (9) of this paragraph.

5. License Standards

The property manager shall exercise reasonable discretion in determining whether to issue, condition, or deny an application for an official geocaching placement license. In the exercise of discretion, the following factors and principles apply:

(1) A cache cannot be approved for placement in a sensitive archaeological, historical, or ecological area. Examples include historic buildings or structures, caves, or areas that contain rare, threatened, or endangered plant or animals.

(2) A scheduled resource management activity, such as a timber sale or a prescribed burn, shall be considered in evaluating a license application.

(3) A cache cannot be approved for placement in an area that could reasonably cause danger to a geocaching participant or to another person who visits the DNR property. Examples of inappropriate areas include cliffs, bluffs, trees, lakes, streams, roads and flood prone areas.

(4) For inclusion with the license application, the property manager may require a person issued an official geocaching placement license to provide a photograph of the cache, the site where the cache is placed, or both.

(5) Any other factor reasonably consistent with proper use and protection of the particular DNR property, including implementation of a master plan.

(6) A containerless cache is exempted from licensing under this information bulletin, but a person who administers or seeks a containerless cache must comply with 312 IAC 8.

6. License Suspension or Revocation and Site Reclamation

(1) The property manager may suspend or revoke an official geocaching placement license if a term of the license or of this information bulletin is violated or if the location of the cache is found to pose a hazard to safety or the environment. The property manager shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the license holder of the action, as well as to notify the designated website. The reasons for the property manager's action shall be recorded with the license. If the license holder elects to relocate the cache, a new license application is required.

(2) Upon the suspension, revocation, or termination of an official geocaching placement license, the license holder is responsible for removal of the cache, for site restoration, and for any associated expenses. A person who places a cache without a license has the same responsibilities as if issued a license.

(3) A person who is aggrieved by a suspension or revocation may seek administrative review under 312 IAC 3-1.

7. History

The Commission approved this information bulletin on November 16, 2004. The information bulletin was published in the Indiana Register and became effective on January 1, 2005. The Commission approved amendments in September 2005 to include the Division of Museums and Historic Sites among  DNR properties where geocaching placement could be approved. These amendments were effective November 1, 2005. In July 2009, the Commission approved amendments to allow virtual geocaching on properties administered by the Division of Nature Preserves, as well as to allow geocaching, generally, on the Interlake property in Warrick and Pike Counties. These amendments were effective August 1, 2009.  In July 2012, the Commission approved technical amendments, including removal of a reference to the Division of Museums and Historic Sites since this division was repealed by P.L.-167-2011.

For more information:

Amanda Goff, Stewardship Assistant

Indiana State Parks

402 W. Washington Room W298

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Office: 317.233.3864

Email:  agoff@dnr.IN.gov

Lake County Parks

All caches placed in Lake County parks are required to have a permit filed with the park office.

Here is a link to their website: https://lakecountyparks.com/209/Geocaching

These parks include:

Buckley Homestead
Conway Observatory at Buckley Homestead
Deep River County Park
Erie Lackawanna Trail
Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park (closed during hunting season)
Lake County Parks Greenhouse
Lake Etta County Park
Lemon Lake County Park
Oak Ridge Prairie County Park
Oak Savannah Trail
Stoney Run County Park
Three Rivers County Park
Whihala Beach County Park

Geocaching is banned in these Lake County Parks maintained areas:

Cedar Creek Family Golf Center
Deep River Waterpark
Gibson Woods Nature Preserve
Turkey Creek Golf Course and Banquet on the Green

Procedure for placing a cache in the Lake County Parks[/b]

[i]Permission is required prior to placing a cache in any of the Lake County Parks. Geocaching is banned at Gibson Woods Nature Preserve and in certain sensitive areas of other parks as well as on the golf courses and at Deep River Waterpark

Scout the area of the park where you wish to place a cache and then contact info@lakecountyparks.com with a request providing the specific area of a particular park for each cache.  The Lake County Parks coordinator will contact the park manager who will verify the acceptability of the location(s).  Do not place your cache until approval is received.  Once approval is granted via email you may place the cache in the park and post it on www.geocaching.com.

Additional regulations

    * Placing and searching for geocaches may only take place during normal park hours in park areas open to the public.
    * Some of the parks have parking fees when the gatekeeper is on duty.  Geocachers are subject to that fee.
    * Caches must be registered on the Internet with www.Geocaching.com and must comply with all guidelines established by Geocaching.com
    * Caches must not be placed so that finding them encourages park visitors to make new trails. Nor can they be placed in locations that will encourage erosion or trail damage.
    * Cutting or modification of any vegetation or modification of geographical features is prohibited.  Caches may not be buried, or located within a water body.
    * Altering park signs, fences, posts, trails, trail markers or any park building is prohibited.
    * Caches may not be placed on or near potentially hazardous locations.
    * Caches must not interfere with wildlife or other park visitors.
    * Caches may not contain inappropriate, hazardous or illegal materials such as flammables, explosives or food.
    * Caches may not be located on or in park buildings or structures or within designated historic or cultural resource areas.
    * Caches must be maintained by the owner. Caches that have been abandoned and not maintained will be considered as litter and removed.
    * The Lake County Parks reserves the right to remove any cache that has been determined to be inappropriate either in location or content, hazardous or has an impact to other park visitors, park neighbors or natural or cultural resources.
    * Make certain that your cache meets all the requirements and geocaching guidelines as posted on geocaching com.  Review these during your research. Issues of concern include cache saturation, commerciality, solicitation and long-term cache maintenance.[/i]

LaPorte County Parks

All caches that are currently located in a park owned or maintained by the LaPorte County parks system will need to have a Geocaching Permit on file with the parks office.

Permit applications are available at Red Mill County Park and the Luhr Park Nature Center.

The parks system has requested that all owners of geocaches fill out a Geocache Permit and return a copy to them.

Here is a link to their website: http://www.laportecountyparks.org/geocaching.html

Here is a link to their permit: http://www.laportecountyparks.org/Geocache%20Placement%20Permit%20Application.htm

Westfield Parks

The city requires a permit for caches placed in their parks.  A copy of the permit must be emailed to a reviewer and will be kept on file.

Here is a link to their website: https://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item;id=1639

Here is a link to their policy: https://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item;id=3245

Here is a link to their permit: https://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item;id=3246