The Best Places For North Georgia Geocaching

Do you have children who are fascinated by pirate tales or magical quests? Do you enjoy a good puzzle, or a mission with purpose? Perhaps you love a good hike but feel that there should be a tangible reward (beyond amazing views) for a trail conquered. Geocaching may be the perfect fit for all of these scenarios and more - and there's no better place to start your mission than here in the North Georgia mountains! Ready to add a new natural adventure to your next getaway? Read on and find out more!

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is an adventure game that some refer to as high tech treasure hunting. Participants are called geocachers. The "prizes" they seek are known as caches, and the tools of the hunt are a smartphone or hand-held GPS device, and perhaps a pen/pencil and notepad. Geocaching is a great activity for all ages, and it's a unique way for everyone from solo travelers to family groups to get out and enjoy the outdoors while making new discoveries and gathering rewards! Geocaching is an affordable hobby and an accessible one. There are millions of active caches around the world - probably even within a mile of where you are now - and hundreds right here in North Georgia.

How Does It Work?

Geocachers of all experience levels seem to agree that www.geocaching.com is the ultimate site for locating caches. After signing up for a free account, you can enter a location to find GPS coordinates and hints for finding caches in that area. You can specify the radius to search around. For example, when searching for caches within 25 miles of Blue Ridge, Georgia (zip code 30513), more than 450 results are currently logged.

Record the coordinates of the cache(s) you wish to seek out. Use a GPS-enabled device to find a path to each set of coordinates you have selected. Caches can be hidden anywhere, and they can be very easy or quite a challenge to find. Those that are in plain sight are said to be the most difficult. There is no standard "look" of a cache. They come in all shapes and sizes, and you never know what may be hidden inside! There are many different types of caches, including multi-caches (a series of clue-finds leading to a container), earth caches (which lead to discovery of a place), puzzle caches (for an added challenge), and more.

Once a cache is discovered, geocachers are welcome to take a trinket from within it, but remember - if you take something, be sure to leave something of equal or greater value for future geocachers to find. After all, nothing is more disappointing than finding an empty cache! Every cache has a logbook, and each geocacher who discovers it is expected to sign the logbook to document their success.

Geocaching Terms You Should Know

Like many hobbies, geocaching has its own lingo that even the beginners should be familiar with. Here are a few of the basics to get you started:

Cache "Ratings" – When looking up caches online, be aware that they will have a difficulty rating. 1/1 is the easiest to find and 5/5 is the most difficult. D/T is a notation advising of difficult terrain on the path to a cache, recommending the find for more experienced hikers.

DNF – If you record the results of your quest on an online group to share with other geocachers, you may use this acronym if your mission was unsuccessful. ("Did Not Find" cache)

FTF – Were you the "First To Find" a cache? Brag a bit with this handy little acronym alongside your logbook signature.

Power Trail – A path with a large number of easy caches placed placed within close proximity to each other.

TLNL – "Took Nothing, Left Nothing". Some geocachers will use this acronym beside their logbook signature.

Trackables – A special object with a unique tracking code, sometimes found in geocaches. These "tokens" are tracked from one cache to another, and they can come in many forms including geocoins, and other items. Use the tracking code on the trackable to find its goal and see where it has been (via geocaching.com), then log the item's new location after you placed it.

Geocaching in North Georgia

There are a range of geo-adventures to be had throughout Georgia and in the Georgia State Park system, including a couple of GeoTours that can lead the way to discoveries across the entire state - the Georgia State Parks GeoTour and the Georgia History Trail GeoTour. 44 State Parks participate in the State Parks GeoTour, with 47 caches hidden among forests, waterfalls, canyons, and beaches. 19 state historic sites are on the History Trail GeoTour. Geocachers on the parks tour can earn souvenir geo-coins for finding 15, 30, and 40 state parks geocaches. Indoor caches on the History Trail feature combination locks that can only be opened after learning about the site's history and solving clues to discover the combination. Complete all History Trail caches to be eligible for a collectible geocoin. Many of the locations along the tours include access to nearby recreation areas for additional fun before or after your adventure!

• Stops along the Parks GeoTour nearest to your North Georgia cabin rental include: Fort Mountain State Park, Amicalola Falls State Park, Vogel State Park, and Smithgall Woods State Park.
• Stops along the History Trail GeoTour nearest to your North Georgia cabin rental include: Chief Vann House, New Echota, and Dahlonega Gold Museum.