Table of Contents

This page 12/19/2024

Hosting a Geocaching Event in Maryland (Event Stacking)

Event Stacking refers to holding multiple events that are in close proximity to each other and are at the same/overlapping time with intent of the same audience attending. Events are social gatherings of geocachers, holding too many in close proximity diminishes their value to the community, events are not just an excuse to obtain a 'smiley'. If an event is submitted and another is either already published or also waiting review and the stacking guideline applies, the following clarification of the guideline will be used:

• Events will be published within a similar time period only if they are more than 15 miles apart (as the crow flies).
• Events closer to each other than 15 miles will only be published if the end time of the first is more than 3 hours before the start time of the next. Driving distance will be considered in situations where where the straight line separation of two events may be less than 15 miles when driving distance is significantly increased because of something like a body of water, mountain, etc.

This section will discuss CITO (Cache In Trash Out) events in relation to event stacking. A CITO and event that are near each other (time and location) are not considered event stacking.

• The CITO must begin or end 30 minutes before or after any other nearby event.
• The CTIO and event can not be at the exact same location.
• The CITO must be it's own stand alone event.
• The CITO and event can be hosted by the same cache owner.
• CITO's that are near each other in time and location will be considered stacking (see section above this one).
• The CITO must comply with event guidelines.

You may also find the help center section on events helpful.

Hiding a cache in State Parks and Forests

1. You must receive approval from the State Forest and Park Service (SFPS) prior to placing a cache. To obtain the approval you must submit the Cache Approval Form to the appropriate park office. In most cases, you will be advised of a decision within three (3) business days or less.

2. In cases where a cache is not approved, the SFPS will recommend a more appropriate location for placement.

3. A transparent container is required. DO NOT use PVC pipe, Ammo Cans or any other Military looking containers that may cause alarm should an unsuspecting person happen upon the cache. (Tupperware, Gladware, Pretzel Barrel, etc). NOTE: Ammo can may be allowed in various Western Regional State Parks. Please discuss this with the Ranger prior to hiding a cache if you would like to use one.

4. Do Not dig any holes or disturb the surrounding environment. Do Not attach caches to live trees or structures of any kind.

5. Do Not place your cache in plain view. Attempt to conceal the cache to minimize the chances that a non-participant will spot it, which could cause worry, theft or vandalism. Try to hide the cache off the beaten path by at least a few yards to provide the finder some measure of privacy to sign the log without arousing undue alarm.

6. Clearly mark the container with the appropriate identification, such as "Geocaching.com" and the name of the cache. Place a stashnote inside explaining the sport to any non-participant who may discover the cache.

7. Think when hiding and/or seeking a cache. Use common sense!

8. As a cache seeker, or cache owner, you must abide by park hours and all other rules and regulations. Carry documentation such as the cache detail sheet, so that you can explain your activity to anyone who may ask.

Western Region:  Cache Submittal Form

Central Region: Cache Submittal Form

Southern Region: Cache Submittal Form

Eastern Region: Cache Submittal Form

Hiding a cache in County and Municipal Parks

Hiding a cache on United States Owned/Controlled Areas

National Park Service:

Geocaches are not generally allowed on property managed, owned or operated by the United States National Park Service Exceptions can be granted with the express consent of the Park Manager and the NPS.

In 2002, the National Park Service issued a blanket ban on all geocaches. This lasted until October of 2009, when the NPS published a revised guidance document. Now, the NPS leaves the decision on geocaches to the discretion of individual park superintendents. The guidance document further suggests that geocaching may be a beneficial educational and recreational activity in some parks. Any caches placed on NPS land - which includes National Historic Sites and National Monuments - must obtain explicit permission from the appropriate park manager before they will be published on Geocaching.

National Wildlife Refuges:

The US Fish & Wildlife Service has issued a blanket ban on all physical geocaches in NWRs. Virtual caches and Earthcaches placed in these locations require explicit permission from the NWR manager. Other exceptions can be granted with the express consent of the NWR Manager,

National Recreational Areas:

National Recreation Areas administered by the National Park Service fall under the NPS rules cited above. Some NRAs, however, are managed by the adjacent National Forests and these agencies can sometimes follow different sets of rules. Reviewers will in general not post caches in any of these areas unless explicit permission is obtained.

Appalachian Trail:

There is a current moratorium on caching on the Appalachian Trail. This is because most of the Appalachian Trail is on property under the stewardship of the National Parks Service (NPS) which does not allow geocaching on their lands. In Maryland there a few areas not managed by NPS and/or they cross over into state park land. Reviewers will in general not post caches in any of these areas unless explicit permission is obtained.

Other hiding consideration/restrictions

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.

Post Office: P.O. Box hides

While no fiscal cache is allowed at U.S. Post Offices the popular Unknown/Puzzle hides at these locations require the permission of the post master at the location.

Controlled Access Highway

Stopping on, or parking at the edge of such a location is ONLY allowed for emergencies.

Other Restricted Locations:

• Annapolis Mall
• Camp David Area
• Cracker Barrel restaurants per their national office, no longer want geocaches on their property. For a time, they did expressly allow them.
• Everett Mall
• Frederick City Watershed (Frederick Municipal Watershed)
• Hagerstown Outlet
• Lake Roland
• White Marsh Mall

Railroads:

By federal law, the land extending to 100 feet on both side of railroad tracks is private property. See relevant law here
The guidelines for placing a cache state that caches placed on or near a railroad will not be listed, 150 feet proximity is used as a general rule. Consider this 150 feet distance when placing your cache. We do allow for exceptions based on the actual location but mostly when there is no access to the tracks based on a fence or other actual barrier.

School Grounds:

Many communities consider it trespassing to be on school grounds without permission.  Also, due to the heightened risks of terrorism, and crimes against children, caches on or near school grounds or day care centers will need written permission from the school administration or day care owners.  When requesting permission, the administrator needs to be made aware that solo or groups of cachers may visit at various times throughout the day and week.

Maryland presents a challenge as many parks are right next to the school and even share the fields. In these cases the reviewer will consider where the cache is located along with how much the general public would be in the area where the cache is.

Cache Publication

General:

When we review we start with events first, then traditional hides followed by all the other cache types. You need to plan for it to take 7 days for your cache to be reviewed and published. When you submit your cache the message states to allow for 7 days. Normally the process is much quicker but if there are issues that need addressed, that will require more time for publication. We generally review once daily, early in the morning. We generally do not ask if you have permission to hide your cache, as per the guidelines you have already done so. Some areas require us to verify that you have permission, many of those requirements have been detailed above.

Challenge Hides:

Challenge cache hides are the most challenging and time consuming to review. They are always the last to be reviewed and almost all take at least an hour or more to review. There are many additional steps involved to make sure a challenge cache can be published. You might find the following link helpful, look at sections 2.12, 2.14, and 2.15.

Can I request to have my cache published on a date and time?:

You sure can. just put a note in the reviewer note section when you submit the cache. Be clear in your note with a day and time (time has to be on the hour or half hour).