Wisconsin Geocaching Association

For your safety and the safety of other geocachers, the WGA asks that all geocachers placing caches in Wisconsin abide by the following rules set forth by geocaching.com and by the various local, state, and national government bodies which govern public land in Wisconsin. These rules and regulations are subject to change so please check back for any updates prior to hiding your next cache.

You are ultimately responsible for any caches you place, so make sure you know the rules for the area you choose. We encourage you to place a cache in a location that is unique in some way. The big reward for geocachers, other than finding the cache itself, is often the location.

Location Specific Rules And Regulations

State of Wisconsin (DNR) Managed Land: If placing a cache on a State of Wisconsin (DNR) managed land you MUST notify a DNR land manager BEFORE hiding your cache. To notify the DNR of your intent to place a cache on State land, please download and print the notification form (2500-118), fill it out with all the proper information, and submit it to the appropriate DNR land manager. Follow all instructions on the form and keep in mind that the land manager reserves the right to remove the cache at any time with proper notification to the placer. Note that the DNR prefers (but does not require) the use of clear cache containers in state parks.

If you are unsure whether the area you plan to place a cache is managed by the State or if you don't know who to contact for a particular piece of land, consult the web pages shown on the form. Some of these links can also be found on the State Of Wisconsin Managed Land Links wiki page.

Please include the following text on the cache page for caches hidden on DNR managed land:

The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to <NAME OF LAND MANAGER> of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://www.wi-geocaching.com/hiding
City of Madison Parks: If you are placing a cache in a City of Madison park, permission must be obtained from from the City of Madison parks department prior to placing the cache. Please contact the WGA Madison parks liaison, Rhonda Veroeven (rveroeven <at> wi-geocaching <dot> com), for more information.

Please include the following text on the cache page for caches hidden in City of Madison parks:

Anyone wishing to place a cache in a city of Madison park must contact Rhonda Veroeven who will gain permission from Madison Parks representative. To contact Rhonda please email at rveroeven <at> wi-geocaching <dot> com or through WISearchers at GC dot com

Geocaching activity is only allowed in general parklands in the City of Madison and Geocaching activity is prohibited at: Forest Hill Cemetery, Olbrich Garden, City of Madison conservation parks, Odana Golf Course, Monona Golf Course, Yahara Golf Course, Glenway Golf Course and areas with identified Indian Mounds.

All geocachers will be respectful of all public parkland. No digging or penetration of ground surface will be permitted. Trees, shrubs and plants will not be disturbed or altered at any time.

Questions related to access, policies, regulation and protocol regarding geocaching in the City of Madison parks will be submitted to WGA liasion R. Veroeven who will report directly to James Weisnstock, Parks Operation Supervisor.

Dane County Parks: Dane County has a geocaching policy in place that requires geocachers to fill out a permission form before placing a cache. Cachers also pay a $10 fee for an annual agreement to place a cache. In order to receive permission you need to contact the Dane County Parks office (608-242-4576 or dane-parks@co.dane.wi.us).

Milwaukee County Parks: Geocaches placed in Milwaukee County Parks require a permit from the parks department. You can download the permit form at http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/Geocaching21582.htm and return the form to parks@milwcnty.com. Hiders should wait to receive confirmation of the permit before submitting their cache to geocaching.com.

Washington County Parks: Washington County Parks has a geocaching policy in place that requires that a placement request form be submitted prior to hiding a cache in a county park. The full details of the policy and the form to submit can be found here: Washington County Geocache Placement Guidelines

Waushara County Parks: Waushara County has a geocaching policy in place that requires geocachers to fill out a notification form before placing a cache. The notification form is available on the Waushara County Parks Department website. For more information on this policy, contact the Waushara County Parks Department office at 920-787-7037 or wcparks@centurytel.net.

Vernon County Parks: Vernon County requests that the Wisconsin DNR notification form be filled out and submitted for caches placed in county parks and forests. Forms can be sent to Vernon County Parks, 220 Airport Rd., Viroqua, WI 54665. For more information, contact Rod Engh at 608-637-5485.

Ho Chunk Nation: Geocaches on Ho Chunk Nation land require a permit from the Tribal Preservation Officer. Should you wish to place a cache on HCN land, complete this form (PDF version) and send it to the TPO at bill.quackenbush@ho-chunk.com. You should wait to receive confirmation from the tribe before submitting your geocache to geocaching.com.

Private Land: If you intend to place a cache on private land, ask permission before putting it there.

Prohibited Locations: Caches are not allowed in sensitive areas and never in the following specific properties:
- National Parks
- National Monuments
- Wisconsin State Natural Areas (SNAs) (SNAs map) (see exception procedure for EarthCaches)
- Archaeological or historical sites
- St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (maps)
- University of Wisconsin - Green Bay (all properties including Communiversity Park)

General Cache Hiding Rules And Tips

When placing a geocache on public lands, it is highly recommended that the land manager responsible be notified of the placement. For locations without specific notification/approval requirements, the following generic geocache notification form (PDF version) (Word version) can be used.

Never bury a cache. A cache is considered buried if it must be dug up by hand or by tool. Placing rocks, bark, logs etc. over a cache is not considered burial, nor is placing a cache into a naturally occurring crevice or hole. If a shovel, trowel, or other pointy object is used to dig to hide or find a cache, it's not appropriate.

Be responsible for your cache. There is no time limit for placement of the cache but it is recommended the cache be monitored at least quarterly.

Do not place a cache in an area that could cause geocachers to cross dangerous or private land during their approach. Consider from where a geocacher might approach and how they might hunt your cache. Remember that their GPSR readings could easily be off from your posted coordinates by 100 feet or more. If warranted, provide parking coordinates and notes to allow a safe and permissible approach to the cache.

When placing a cache, be sure that it is at least 528 feet (0.10 miles) away from any surrounding caches. This includes all waypoints of surrounding multi or mystery caches.

Do not place a cache within 150 feet of railroad tracks. The right-of-way along the tracks is private property. Remember the error range of the typical GPSR when placing a cache anywhere in the vicinity of a railway.

If you place a cache or a stage of a multi-cache hunt within a commercial location, keep in mind the prohibitions against commercial caches. If a fee, purchase, or solicitation (monetary or otherwise) is required to gain access to the cache or waypoint, the cache is not allowed. Caches placed to promote commercial, political, religious, or other social agendas are also disallowed.

Do not place the following items into caches:
- Food of any kind (sealed beverages are permitted, but are not advisable during Wisconsin’s cold weather when they may freeze and burst inside the cache container).
- Pocketknives or weapons of any kind.
- Illegal items such as drugs.
- Material restricted from minors: tobacco, adult publications, alcohol, etc.

When choosing a terrain rating, keep in mind the following guidelines:
- A rating of 1 means that a person in a wheelchair can get to the cache location and also retrieve it. If you feel you have a cache that is handicap accessible, you can get a useful rating used by disabled cachers at Handicaching.com.
- A cache with a rating of 5 would require special equipment to get there, such as climbing gear, scuba gear, or a boat.