Hocking Hills is the Best Place for Geocaching in Ohio
With its deep caves, rugged gorges, and expansive state parks, Hocking Hills is a challenging and exciting destination for geocaching in Ohio. Home to over 300 caches, visitors can find all sorts of treasures like coins, small toys, ornamental buttons, books, and more hidden throughout the area. Ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, it’s the thrill of the hunt that is the most fun – and you can experience it all right at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy geocaching in Ohio.
What Is Geocaching?
Similar to a treasure hunt, geocaching is a popular recreational activity that involves finding hidden objects, or caches, using GPS coordinates. Although the size of the cache may vary, it is usually a weather-resistant container that has a logbook and other items inside. After you find one, be sure to put the cache back exactly as you found it, then visit Geocaching.com to log your find and share your experience with others.
Brief History: In the year 2000, web developer Jeremy Irish decided to start a hobby site for the activity and created Geocaching.com to improve the cache-hunting experience. Today, there are over 1.2 million geocaches hidden all over the world, and everyone from couples and families to friend groups from all walks of life can enjoy the excitement of the hunt.
The Hocking Hills Adventure GeoTrail
Created by the Hocking Hills Tourism Association, the Hocking Hills Adventure GeoTrail consists of three themed trails and 10 caches located at various attractions throughout the Hocking Hills. Each cache has a number and keyword that you’ll use to fill out the GeoTrail passport, which you can pick up at the Hocking Hills Welcome Center. All you have to do is fill in the keywords correctly and you’ll receive a prize! Trackable geocoins will be awarded to the first 100 geocachers who complete the trail, and guests can visit Geocaching.com to get some coordinates and clues beforehand. Be sure to bring a camera with you to capture our area’s spectacular scenery along the way! The cache names are:
- Lazy River
- Fore
- Bird’s Eye View
- Superman
- Giddy Up
- Cowboy
- Roy & Dale
- Come Fly With Me
- Pony Tail
- Kick Up Your Heels
Book Your Stay at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls!
Before you start planning your next quest for treasure, be sure to book your stay at our Hocking Hills resort! Our inn will provide you with a print-out of local geocaches (there are even a few hidden on our property!) and will pack a gourmet brown bag lunch to bring with you on your journey. Afterward, return to one of our beautiful geodomes, yurts, cottages, or cabins where you can relax and reminisce about your adventures in Hocking Hills, then join us for a hearty and delicious meal at our onsite restaurant, Kindred Spirits. We can’t wait to hear about what you discover!
For more information on geocaching in Ohio, download our free Hocking Hills vacation guide.
Photo Credit: Gunnar300 | Thinkstock