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Big Bear Lake Geocaching

Founded in 1907, we have served over 1.3 million guest nights over the last 113+ years!

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Win a FREE 2 Night Stay for up to six people at Shore Acres Lodge (non-Holiday)

How to Win

  1. Geocache!

  2. Sign the Log Sheet

  3. Like us on Facebook and “check-in” with a photo of your find!

  4. Every “check-in” and photo on Facebook counts as an entry for the Grand Prize Drawing. The more Geocaches you find (15 total) the more chances you have to Win! It is helpful to use the hashtags #makingmemories #bigbearvacations!

Prize winner will be announced October 15th 2017.

Geocaching FAQ

 

What is GeoCaching?

Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices (like a cell phone!). Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

The word geocache is a combination of “geo,” which means “earth,” and “cache,” which means “a hiding place.” A cache in computer terms usually refers to information stored in memory to make it faster to retrieve, but the term is also used in hiking/camping as a hiding place for concealing and preserving provisions. Geocaching describes a hiding place on planet Earth – a hiding place you can find using a GPS unit. A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit is an electronic tool that shows you where to go based on information it gets from satellites in space.

Rules of Geocaching

  1. If you take something from the geocache (or “cache”), leave something of equal or greater value.

  2. Sign the cache logbook.

  3. “Like” our Facebook and Post your Pictures on our Facebook Page by “checking-in”. It is helpful to use the hashtags #makingmemories #bigbearvacations!

What you need to go Geocaching

The only necessities are a GPS device or a GPS-enabled mobile phone so that you can navigate to the cache.

Geocache Type – Traditional Geocache

This is the original type of geocache and the most straightforward. These geocaches will be a container at the given coordinates. The size may vary, but at minimum, all of these geocaches will have a log sheet and contain items for trade.

What is typically inside a Cache?

In its simplest form, a cache always contains a logbook or log sheet for you to log your find. Caches may contain any number of items that turn the adventure into a true treasure hunt. You never know what visitors to the cache may have left for you to enjoy. Remember, if you take something; leave something of equal or greater value in return.

What should not be put into a Cache?

People of all ages hide and seek geocaches, so think carefully before placing an item into a cache. Explosives, ammunition, knives, drugs and alcohol should not be placed in a cache. Respect local laws at all times. Please do not put food or heavily scented items in a cache. Animals have better noses than humans, and in some cases caches have been chewed through and destroyed because of food items in a cache.

How do I find the Cache?
There are many things to know about searching for a cache. For instance, did you know that there is a slight “error” to every GPS device due to technological limitations? Your device can get you close to the cache, but after that you will need to search around on your own! We recommend you use a Free Online Source such as https://itouchmap.com/latlong.html, or a phone app such as Latitude Longitude by Financept (pictured to the right).

What should I do once I have found a Cache?

When you find the cache, sign the logbook and return it to the cache. You can take an item from the cache if you like – just make sure to leave something of equal or greater value in its place (do not take the stamp!). Please do not move a Cache from its original location. HIDE the Geocache so others can enjoy the treasure hunt…it is no fun finding out a Geocache went missing.

If you discover a cache has gone missing:

If you visit a Cache location and the Cache is missing, make sure take a picture or “Selfie” of yourself at the location and “check-in” and like our Facebook Page. That will still count as an entry for the contest! Notify Big Bear Vacations of the missing status of the Cache.

Geocachers Creed (www.geocreed.info)

When placing or seeking geocaches, I will:

  1. Not endanger myself or others

  2. Observe all laws & rules of the area

  3. Respect property rights and seek permission where appropriate

  4. Avoid causing disruptions or public alarm

  5. Minimize my and others’ impact on the environment

  6. Be considerate of others

  7. Protect the integrity of the game pieces

Download Geocache Locations pdf