JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into geocaching

Geocaching is the world's largest treasure hunt — over three million active caches hidden by strangers, waiting for you to find them. You can start today with nothing but your phone. Here's the gear that takes you from your first find to obsessively hunting puzzle caches on weekends.

By Colin B. · Published May 24, 2026 · Last reviewed May 24, 2026
A hiker studies something on the ground.

Photo by Theo on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Garmin eTrex 22x — Garmin eTrex 22x: accurate, durable, waterproof — the GPS unit every serious geocacher eventually buys.
  2. Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof — Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof: the trail shoe geocachers wear everywhere, wet trails included.
  3. Rite in the Rain All-Weather Pen — A Rite in the Rain pen for signing logs — indispensable once you're finding micro caches.
Budget total
$0
Typical total
$200
You can start geocaching for free with just your phone. The typical first upgrade — a Garmin eTrex — costs about $155 and is worth it once you're hooked.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
GPS DevicesGarminGarmin eTrex 22x$$$ See on Amazon →
Trail FootwearMerrellMerrell Moab 3 Waterproof$$$ See on Amazon →
DaypackOspreyOsprey Daylite 13L$$ See on Amazon →
Cache ToolsRite in the RainRite in the Rain All-Weather Pen$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Start with the phone app, not a GPS unit. The free Geocaching app (or the $30/year premium subscription) lets you find thousands of traditional caches before you've bought anything. Most beginners find 20–30 caches on their phone before they even think about hardware.

Premium app subscription ($30/year) is the first upgrade worth paying for — it unlocks mystery, multi-stage, and earthcache types, plus offline maps. Do this before you buy a GPS unit.

Your footwear matters more than your GPS. Caches are hidden off-trail in brush, on rocks, and up hills. Proper trail shoes prevent turned ankles and keep you comfortable for the 'just one more' spiral you'll absolutely get into.

The gear

What you actually need

GPS Devices

The free phone app gets you started, but a dedicated GPS unit changes the experience. Dedicated units have 20+ hour battery life, work without cell signal — crucial for rural caches — survive drops and rain, and are more accurate under tree cover. The Garmin eTrex line is what most geocachers eventually own. If you're still deciding, start with the phone app and budget the GPS unit for when you're finding caches every week.

GPS Devices — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Phone App

Free to start; uses cell data and your existing phone.

Cost
Free–$30/yr
Battery
3–5 hrs typical
Signal
Needs cell data

Best for Beginners exploring urban and suburban caches

Tradeoff Battery-hungry and dead in remote areas without offline maps downloaded

Dedicated GPS

Standalone unit; works anywhere with long battery life.

Cost
$150–$400
Battery
20–25 hrs
Signal
No cell needed

Best for Rural, backcountry, or high-volume cachers

Tradeoff Upfront cost; joystick interface is less slick than a smartphone

Best starter
Garmin

Garmin eTrex 22x

$$$

The eTrex 22x is the default first GPS for geocachers: accurate to within 3 meters, runs 25 hours on two AA batteries, and survives use that kills phones. The small screen is fine — you're navigating to a bearing, not reading an article. Geocaching.com integration is plug-and-play. At around $155, it's the sweet spot before upgrades start costing real money.

What we like

  • 25-hour battery on 2 AAs — lasts a full weekend of caching
  • Works without cell signal in rural and backcountry terrain
  • IPX7 waterproof — survives creek crossings and heavy rain

What to know

  • Joystick navigation feels dated compared to a smartphone
  • Small 2.2″ screen is functional but not scenic
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Catalyst

Catalyst Total Protection Case

$$

Before you spend $155 on a GPS unit, protect the device already in your pocket. Catalyst's Total Protection Case is IP68 rated, survives drops to 6.6 feet, and is the toughest case Catalyst makes. Start geocaching with your phone protected, then buy the Garmin once you're hooked. Verify your iPhone model before ordering.

What we like

  • IP68 rated — survives drops and water without destroying your phone
  • Lets you start caching today with what you already own

What to know

  • Model-specific — verify compatibility before buying
  • No substitute for a dedicated GPS unit in dead zones or low battery
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Garmin

Garmin GPSMAP 67

$$$$

The step up from the eTrex line: multi-band GNSS for 1–2 meter accuracy, a 3″ color display, and topographic maps built in. The GPSMAP 67 is what serious cachers move to once they're hunting puzzle caches in terrain-5 locations where precision matters. Not your first GPS — your second.

What we like

  • Multi-band GNSS hits 1-2m accuracy — crucial for terrain-5 caches
  • 3″ sunlight-readable color display — actually legible outdoors
  • Full topo maps built in; Bluetooth for phone syncing

What to know

  • ~$350 — too much until geocaching clearly owns your weekends
  • Larger and heavier than the eTrex line
See on Amazon →

Trail Footwear

Geocaches are almost never on perfectly maintained paths. You'll be stepping over roots, scrambling up rocky slopes, and stomping through wet grass hunting a magnetic nano stuck to a guardrail. Trail shoes keep you stable where sneakers slip, and waterproofing keeps your socks dry when the obvious path goes through a puddle. Spend money here before you spend it on a GPS.

Best starter
Merrell

Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof

$$$

The Moab is the best-selling trail shoe for a reason: fits wide, grips well on mixed terrain, and the waterproof version handles creek crossings and wet brush without soaking your socks. Geocachers who upgrade from sneakers always wish they'd done it sooner. Runs true to size.

What we like

  • Wide toe box accommodates most foot shapes without breaking in
  • M Select DRY membrane keeps feet dry through wet brush and puddles
  • Vibram outsole grips rock, root, and mud reliably

What to know

  • Waterproof liner reduces breathability on warm hikes
  • Stiffer than trail runners — less nimble on fast, technical terrain
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Columbia

Columbia Trailstorm Waterproof

$$

Columbia's entry-level waterproof trail shoe, regularly available under $90. Not as durable as the Merrell, but a meaningful upgrade over running shoes for someone who wants to try trail use before committing to a premium pair.

What we like

  • Often under $90 with waterproofing — solid entry price
  • Lightweight design for a waterproof trail shoe

What to know

  • Sole wears faster than Merrell or Salomon options
  • Less ankle support than a mid-cut boot on uneven terrain
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Salomon

Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX

$$$

When you're hunting terrain-4 and terrain-5 caches in the backcountry, Salomon's Contragrip outsole and Gore-Tex lining become genuinely worth the extra spend. Noticeably more precise foot placement on technical rock than the Merrell. The kind of shoe that stays with you for years.

What we like

  • Gore-Tex + Contragrip outsole — proven in backcountry conditions
  • Precise foot placement on technical rock and steep trails

What to know

  • Runs narrow — size up a half size if in doubt
  • ~$160+ — hard to justify until you're caching weekly on hard terrain
See on Amazon →
person walking towards trees during daytime

Photo by Elise Zimmerman on Unsplash

Daypack

For urban and suburban caching — parking lot micros, trail hides near the trailhead — you don't need a pack at all. But once you're running multi-stage caches or spending a half-day in the woods, a 10–15L daypack makes the experience dramatically better. You need somewhere to put water, a rain layer, your trade items, and the snacks you'll inevitably need when you're 'just doing one more.'

Best starter
Osprey

Osprey Daylite 13L

$$

Osprey packs are built better than the price suggests. The Daylite 13L is the ideal caching size: big enough for water, a layer, and cache tools, small enough that you forget it's there. Multiple pockets keep your gear organized. Osprey's lifetime repair guarantee means this pack will outlast multiple hobby phases.

What we like

  • Lifetime Osprey guarantee — the last daypack you'll need to buy
  • Front organizer pocket keeps pens, tweezers, and tools accessible
  • 13L is the sweet spot: enough for a half-day, light enough to forget

What to know

  • No hydration bladder sleeve — bottle storage only
  • Minimal frame padding — not ideal for loads over 15 lbs
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
CamelBak

CamelBak Hydrobak Light 1.5L

$$

For summer caching when you're covering serious ground, the ability to drink without stopping is a real quality-of-life upgrade. The Hydrobak is the hydration-pack entry point: minimal, light, and the 1.5L reservoir is enough for a 2–3 hour outing.

What we like

  • Hands-free hydration — drink without stopping or digging for a bottle
  • Featherlight design barely registers on your back

What to know

  • Minimal storage — supplement with a hip pouch for gear-heavy days
  • Bladder requires cleaning after every use to stay fresh
See on Amazon →

Cache Tools

Signing a paper log is the defining ritual of geocaching. Most logs are in decent condition — a pen works fine. But nano and micro caches have logs so small that tweezers are essential to extract and sign them without shredding the paper. A bright headlamp handles night caches and dark hollows. These three tools fit in your front pocket and cover 90% of caching scenarios.

Best starter
Rite in the Rain

Rite in the Rain All-Weather Pen

$

Log books in cache containers get wet. Regular ink smears on damp paper. Rite in the Rain makes both the waterproof paper cache owners use and the pens designed to write on it — the two products were literally built for each other. Buy two: one for your pack, one for your car.

What we like

  • Writes on wet paper — the only pen that works reliably in damp caches
  • Pressurized cartridge works upside down and in cold temperatures

What to know

  • More expensive per pen than a ballpoint — but you need one, not a box
  • Slightly wider line — matters in the smallest nano logs
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Victorinox

Victorinox Nail Tweezers

$

Nano cache logs — tiny slips of rolled paper inside 1-inch bison tubes — require tweezers to unroll without shredding. These Swiss Army tweezers are short, precise, and have been included in Swiss Army knives for decades. Keep them in your kit and you'll be the person who saves frustrated cachers when nobody else can sign the nano log.

What we like

  • Precise tips unroll nano logs without tearing the paper
  • Short profile fits in any pocket or cache kit pouch

What to know

  • Easy to lose — attach to a keyring immediately
  • Spring tension is stiff out of the box — loosens with use
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Black Diamond

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp

$$

Caches hidden inside tree hollows, under bridges, and in culverts require light even in daytime. Night caching is its own compelling category. The Spot 400 throws 400 lumens in a waterproof package and runs 200+ hours on low. It's the standard trail headlamp — every outdoor person ends up with one eventually anyway.

What we like

  • 400 lumens and IPX8 waterproof — handles any caching condition
  • 200+ hours on low — one charge covers a full weekend

What to know

  • High-burst mode drains fast — use medium for most caching
  • Lock mode requires a deliberate 3-button press — read the manual
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first month of geocaching

Geocaching has a peculiar learning curve: most people find their first cache within an hour of downloading the app. Then they find 40 more in a week. Here's what you're actually learning, and when the hobby stops being easy and starts being interesting.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • A dedicated GPS unit on day one — The free phone app finds thousands of caches. Buy the Garmin eTrex after your first 20 finds, when you know geocaching has its hooks in you.
  • Trade item kits — You can find caches indefinitely without leaving swag. Trade items are fun but strictly optional — most veteran cachers stopped carrying them years ago.
  • Premium Geocaching app subscription — Free tier unlocks traditional caches, which is most of what you'll find in your first month. Go premium ($30/year) when you want mystery and multi caches.
  • Cache containers to place your own — Placing caches is a second-phase hobby. Find 50 first — you'll learn what placements you love and hate before designing your own.
  • Trekking poles — Useful for hard terrain, but unnecessary unless you're deliberately hunting difficult mountain hides. Most beginner caches don't require them.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Download the Geocaching app and create a free account at Geocaching.com. · Action
  2. Find a Traditional cache rated D1/T1 within a mile of home. That's difficulty 1, terrain 1 — it's meant to be found and won't require any scrambling. · Action
  3. Read the hint before giving up. Cache owners write hints for people exactly like you. There's no shame in using it. · Learn
  4. Log your find online — not just in the paper logbook. The online log is where the community lives and where cache owners get feedback. · Action
  5. Find five caches in your first week. Enough to build pattern recognition: what common hides look like, why every suspicious-looking guardrail skirt is worth checking. · Action
  6. Order a waterproof pen before you hit your fifth cache — wet logs are everywhere. · Buy
FAQ

Common questions

Do I need to buy anything to start geocaching?

No. The free Geocaching app and your phone are all you need to find traditional caches. Most beginners spend $0 in their first month. The premium subscription ($30/year) and a dedicated GPS unit are the two upgrades worth paying for — in that order.

What's the difference between difficulty and terrain ratings?

Difficulty (D) is how hard the cache is to find — 1 is obvious, 5 requires solving a complex puzzle. Terrain (T) is the physical challenge to reach it — 1 is flat ground, 5 might require climbing gear. Start with D1/T1 caches until you have your bearings.

What is a nano cache and why can't I sign the log?

Nano caches are tiny magnetic containers — about the size of a pencil eraser — that hide on metal surfaces in plain sight. The log is a rolled slip of paper inside that requires tweezers to extract without tearing. Buy tweezers. They cost $5 and save enormous frustration.

Is geocaching safe? What about trespassing?

Geocaches are reviewed by moderators before listing, which screens out placements on clearly private or unsafe land. That said, always trust your instincts — if a hide requires going somewhere that feels wrong, skip it and report it. The community takes placement quality seriously.

Do I need a paid GPS or is my phone fine?

Your phone is genuinely fine to start. The official app works, and with offline maps downloaded it works in most areas without cell signal. Dedicated GPS units are more accurate in heavy tree cover and have longer battery life — but buy one after your first 20–30 finds, not before.

What's a Travel Bug and should I pick one up?

Travel Bugs (and Geocoins) are trackable items with unique codes — you can move them between caches and log where they travel worldwide. They're a fun layer of the hobby, but not something beginners need to think about in the first month. Find caches first.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • Geocaching.com — The primary platform — all cache listings, the official app, and the community forums. Your first stop for everything.
  • Project-GC — Advanced stats, challenge caches, and maps for dedicated cachers. Worth bookmarking once you have 50+ finds.
  • Geocaching Help Center — Official docs — best for understanding cache types, rating systems, and rules before you hide your own.
  • r/geocaching — Active, welcoming community. Beginner questions are warmly answered. Great for regional recommendations.
  • Geocaching Podcast — Long-running show covering events, power trails, and community personalities. Best after you have 50+ finds.
a couple of people standing next to each other

Photo by Camila Seves Espasandin on Unsplash

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