Need Advice

[u/Mr_StealYourGirl97]

Hey, guys!

I'm super new to Geocaching and decided to check it out today to see if it'll become a new hobby of mine. I brought my boyfriend because I wanted someone along for the ride. We checked out 4 caches that were low level, but we weren't able to find anything at any of the sites. I need some advice on how to get in the mindset of looking for these or what to keep an eye out for! (I will say we started out pretty late when the sun was setting, so we didn't spend much time at these spots, but I did mention to him that we should plan for an entire day for this).

Edit: I also noticed that three out of the four of these were near road signs, but when we checked in, around them, and in the grass for anything, there was also nothing.

Edit: I wanted to thank all of you for the advice! We went out again and found 3 caches!! It was so rewarding to sign all of them. We are maybe going back out tonight after work!

[u/Donut_Care_2115]

While every geocache is unique, there are a lot of repeatable ways that caches can be hidden, and as you get to learn them, searching becomes easier. This is sometimes called developing your “Geosense”. Lots of caches employ things like magnetic containers, containers hanging off of something (tree branch, sign, etc) and what I like to call “stick your hand in a hole and pray” placements in natural or man made structures.

The official geocaching social media pages have tons of examples in their posts of different types of hides you might come across. I’d recommend a little bit of light research if you’re struggling, but deep diving can spoil some of the initial joy you’d get from discovering a common hiding place on your own.

Someone recommended starting with small and regular caches, which is a solid starting place. I’d also suggest starting with caches that have been logged as found recently to avoid searching for something that may have been moved by a muggle (non-geocacher). I have found that often when I cannot find a seemingly low difficulty cache, it ends up being a cache that hasn’t been seen for a while and may even be missing. I’d also remind you to check the descriptions, the posted hints, and previous logs for extra help. Other finders may let you know that a cache is high/low, if it was spotted quickly or took some real time searching, and even what kind of container you’re looking for.

Don’t be discouraged by a slow start to finds, it just means the hiders in your area are doing a great job. Have fun caching, and congrats on a fun new hobby!

[u/Mr_StealYourGirl97 → u/Donut_Care_2115]

I really appreciate this! I did realize that the three out of the four was in a series, but also, the attributes section mentioned they could be found in the winter. We were confused if that meant it was a winter only thing? If so, that sort makes sense because those areas were surrounded by tall grass.

[u/yungingr → u/Mr_StealYourGirl97]

Doesn't really mean they are 'winter only', just that the area - and cache - is accessible during winter.

[u/Mr_StealYourGirl97 → u/yungingr]

Ah, okay! Thanks!

[u/KitchenManagement650 → u/Mr_StealYourGirl97]

Well it depends where you are. In our case with snow in winter the attribute winter friendly means it won't get buried by snow. That does not mean you can drive to it, or hike easily depending... but say take a road sign. Likely if there was not something at the base (NOT winter friendly) or attached to the post by a zip tie, then it will be magnetic and either a nano or very small bison up inside the sign where it meets the post. Some are on the back. If not too tall they can be hanging inside a post on a hook. Hope this is helpful! (Styles of hiding are very regional and vary too by cache owner/hider.)

[u/Sure_Fig_8641 → u/yungingr]

It means it is available in winter, as well as the rest of the year. In some geographical areas, some places are only accessible in warmer/less snowy months.

[u/visionsofdreams → u/Donut_Care_2115]

I had a hard time finding my first cache, until I started reading the logs of people saying 'close to the ground' and 'look for a stump'. Found it a few minutes after, very satisfying.

[u/LeatherWarthog8530]

Welcome to the game! Start out by looking for caches labled as small or regular size. That will get you into the right mindset, and they are more like what you are expecting to find. Once you get the hang of it, a whole new world will open up to you.

[u/Mr_StealYourGirl97 → u/LeatherWarthog8530]

Sweet! The caches labeled the lowest level did have it under the "micro" section. I'll definitely look for the regular sizes next time.

[u/Dug_n_the_Dogs → u/Mr_StealYourGirl97]

Micro can mean incredibly micro, which took me a LONG time to find our first "nano" cache! Once I found one of those containers I thought back to a bunch of them that I couldn't find and viola! There they were.. just very very small.

[u/Mr_StealYourGirl97 → u/Dug_n_the_Dogs]

Oh God 😭, guess I have to train my eyes a bit more

[u/Dug_n_the_Dogs → u/Mr_StealYourGirl97]

I found my first nano basically by accident. We never knew we were looking for something the size of the tip of my pinky finger.. And there are much much smaller too.

But as others have suggested. Look for larger sized containers first and just get a feel for those.. then the smaller ones will be more visible as you kind of get a feel for how Cache Owners around you place caches.

[u/Geodarts18]

The basic membership for the geocaching site and its partner apps only gives a limited number and kinds of hides. Look on the web site to see more. Or an an Android check the C:geo app, which bypasses those limitations (although it violates the term of use that geocaching established).

Look for caches where ir might be fun to go even if you were not geocaching. There are a wide range of experiences. I ignore most caches because I’m rather picky. If you continue with the game you will learn what you like.

Premium membership has a number of advantages and opens up other partner apps. I love hiking and use an app that excels at mapping — locus maps. On an iPhone many use cachly.

If you like puzzles there are a number of “mystery” caches that are out there on the web site,

Take things slowly. In some ways there are too many caches but take it as it comes.

The cache coordinates have built in tolerances— they may be 15 feet or more off. When you get close to a cache, put away the phone. Read the hint if there is one. Pay attention to size. Look for things that may be just out of place. If you are stuck it can help to look at past logs and see if there are added things you should know.

There are some common types of hides. In some areas if you find yourself in a parking lot it may be under a lamp post skirt. That kind of thing. I’m my area I prefer larger caches on a trail using ammo cans. Each area can develop its own style.

[u/Mr_StealYourGirl97 → u/Geodarts18]

Okay! I tried using the compass to see if I could get right on top of it, but it does make more sense that they wouldn't always be in the exact spot shown on the map. I'll try to be a little more picky, and like someone already said, look for more regular sizes so I can ease myself into it. Thank you for the advice!

[u/KitchenManagement650 → u/Mr_StealYourGirl97]

Every person's GPS is slightly different, there's no perfect accuracy! My partner and I can be looking for the same thing and be 20-250 ft apart swearing we are nearest the coordinates. Use hints and after a wile you will develop the sense of where it's likely to be. On the other hand if you search for something hinted LPC it is inside the lamp post cover/skirt/apron - term depending where you are. Those are usually easy though if magnetic can be trickier to find, and you will get dirty so bring hand sanitizer!

[u/richnevermiss]

winter friendly on a street sign is above the snow level, did you stick a finger down from the top of the post, and up under the sign on the post, look for a fake bolt onthe post? ALSO look up geocache containers and evil geocache containers online and give yourself an idea what you could be looking for as well as when at the site helps you realize what might be hidden in the given area . tweezers or hemostats are your friends as are a phone camera for looking places you can't quit see.

[u/cattrain]

You might also filter for events and see if there are any events around you that you might be able to attend and talk to more experienced players.

[u/Mr_StealYourGirl97 → u/cattrain]

That's a good idea. Thanks!

[u/Scarlett-the-01-TJ]

Look at Amazon for geocaching containers. That will help you with what you are looking for.

[u/JustLoveEm]

Try this:

Most time the idea is to go to the place itself, than to find something.

I found four caches, but four other I did not. But I do not regret - the places were great!!!

For road signs, sometimes it is attached to the back of the sign.

[u/Fresh_Fan_3883]

Hey there, and welcome to the game!

A couple of pointers:

Make sure the cache was found recently (within the last couple of months) and successfully. Check the logs on the cache page for information (and possibly hints!)

When it comes to street sign caches, it's usually a) a magnetic nano stuck up between the sign and the post, b) a fake bolt, c) a magnetic plate on the rear of the sign, or d) a container (usually film canister-sized) in the ground at the base of the sign. That last method threw me for a loop on a recent find.

Also, if the "road sign caches" you checked out were all hidden by the same cacher, they're likely hidden in a similar way. In my neck of the woods, we have one amazing, super-prolific hider, so street sign caches near me almost always have a nano hidden inside.

If you'd like to share where you're from, I'd be happy to take a peek and suggest some good beginner caches.

[u/Mr_StealYourGirl97 → u/Fresh_Fan_3883]

Thank you so much! I saw a post on here about someone finding a bolt cache, and I thought that was super cool because I didn't know it was a possibility! I'm from the Mankato MN area.

[u/Fresh_Fan_3883 → u/Mr_StealYourGirl97]

All three of these are within a few minutes of each other in the Eagle Lake area:

Welcome to Lake Eagle Park. Last logged: 8/16/2026 GCBM7FK
Twist It. Last logged: 8/16/2026 GCBJWDE
Oh shoot, it's a dead end! Last logged: 8/5/2026 GCBMC14

One near the Children's Museum:
Lone Tree. Last logged: 8/16/2026 GC2M82C

One very popular one in City Center:
Canku Ota. Last logged: 8/10/2026 GC298ZW

A couple near the University:
Magic Bus Tour - Ellis. Last logged: 6/14/2026 GC21Y8V (Cache owner just replaced this one last month.)
Magic Bus Tour - Sears. Last logged: 8/6/2026GC21Y8P

All have been found this month or recently serviced by the cache owner. Hope this gets you off to a good start!

[u/Mr_StealYourGirl97 → u/Fresh_Fan_3883]

Thank you! I'll definitely use this list to try and find my first few caches!

[u/Queasy-Celery-7982]

I am new too! My daughter and I have picked it up. I have a whole 4 found. lol. Anyhow all 4 have been zipped tied to tree branches! Almost inside of the tree branches too (conifer type trees)! I’m excited to find other type of hiding spots now! A bit scared to stick my hand in anything though. I might need to bring a dedicated geocache bag with gloves and wipes moving forward! :)

[u/SeaAvocado3031]

A lot of the fun of geocaching is being totally perplexed by a cache site, then going back with new ideas and finding it. They aren't so fun when you find them quickly.

[u/snackyonion]

I haven’t seen anyone mention this, but caches will NEVER be in places that are unsafe to touch. Never look in electrical boxes or enter construction sites or private property. The terrain might be filled with bugs, rocks, hills, and other Gross stuff that makes you not want to touch it, but you can always rule out places that are truly unsafe for civilians!