Geocaching Opportunities

Geocaching Guidelines

Permit Required

• Any person wishing to place a geocache within NPCA conservation areas must receive a letter of written approval from the NPCA prior to any placement. Please complete the Permit Application Form below.
• All written approvals will be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of approval, unless otherwise stated. Only geocaches with permits are allowed on NPCA lands for the time specified.
• Any geocaches found without a permit will be removed by Conservation Authority staff.
• The NPCA reserves the right to limit the number of geocache permits issued to any one person
• The NPCA reserves the right to limit the number of geocaches in any one Conservation Area. The general guideline provides a limit of 3 caches permitted in any one Conservation Area for one 12-month period; and 7 at Ball’s Falls, Binbrook, Chippawa Creek, and Long Beach Conservation Areas
• Geocaches are not permitted within sensitive ecological, historical, or archaeological locations.
• Geocaches are not permitted in areas that could potentially cause danger to visitors trying to locate the geocache.
• All geocaches within NPCA Conservation Areas must highlight an educational message regarding a factual/environmental/historical observation regarding the location.

Rules of Permit

• The geocache owner is responsible for monitoring the site monthly and maintain family-friendly contents.
• Geocaches must not include any illegal or other dangerous material which can potentially affect plants, animals, the environment or individuals or attract any wildlife.
• Peanut butter jars are not permitted as geocache containers due to allergy concerns.
• Geocaches may only be hidden within 1 metres of the trail. Off-trail hiking is discouraged as it negatively impacts the environment.
• A “leave no trace” ethic must be followed. No digging, burying, cutting, or disruption of ground/rock or animal or animal habitat is permitted. This includes no placement of nails or screws in trees.
• Trail/web-cams are not permitted, as this contravenes an individual’s right to privacy under the ‘Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act’
• The geocache owner must remove all geocaches upon expiration of the permit.
• If the location of a cache becomes a problem (i.e. risk to park visitors or causing ecological damage as a result of visitation, the Conservation Authority reserves the right to request the removal of any cache. In such cases the owner will be required to move the cache to an alternative location under a new letter of approval, or remove it.
• If any terms of the approval are violated, the permit will be voided and the owner requested to remove the cache.

Geocaching Rules

• All geocachers must also follow and use existing trails. No off-trail activity is permitted.
• All geocachers must follow all Conservation Area rules and regulations including Conservation Area hours and seasons of operation, and points of access.
• Please visit www.npca.ca/parks for more information.