Have you ever heard of geocaching? There’s a lot we don’t know about Kansas, but hearing that there’s 12,000 hidden treasures just waiting for you to visit is shocking to some. If you love treasure hunts and finding things, grab a mobile GPS and let’s get to finding! Kansas is home to the oldest geocache in the world, and we’re proud to help keep it going. One visitor at a time!

For a list of rules, etiquette, and every logged cache out there, check out geocaching.com for a quick answer to most of your questions.

Before we get started on the World’s Oldest Geocache, what is geocaching exactly and how does it work?

Dean Shareski/Flickr Geocaching is like a scavenger hunt, where you use coordinates, clues, and sometimes even math and riddles to find a secret location with a cache, like following a treasure map. Then, once found, you either exchange one of the items inside for an equal value item or just log that you’ve visited this spot.

Kansas alone has more than 12,000 geocache locations, varying in difficulties.

Amy/Flickr If you’re looking within town and city limits, odds are they’ll be a little harder to spot if the creators of the cache get inventive. I would never have guessed this light bulb is actually a secret cache! That would be an exciting find to log in my book and on the website.

One of the first geocaches ever made, and the first in Kansas, is GC30 Mingo, an easy find out in the middle of nowhere, and a quick stop on any road trip that takes you through the area.

Ray’s Random/Google Do you see that little container buried in the ground? Many wouldn’t guess that there is actually treasure inside.

I’ve never visited this cache before, but what lies inside is a mystery you’ll have to discover for yourself.

Michael Bisping/Google It’s the 7th cache ever made, and is usually buried in the ground with only the lid exposed.

The world’s oldest cache was placed back in May 2000, which doesn’t sound like a long time away, but the official game is newer than you think!

Ray’s Random/Google Though it’s not the first one ever placed, it’s stood the test of time and is now the oldest one still in use. We’d love to see it last for 20 more years!

If you like, you can set up your own cache at your home or local park.

Robbie McConnell/Flickr Add direct coordinates or a code to break on the official website, where people will visit, favorite, comment about your cache, and you can participate in this worldwide event.

If you’re someone who loves riddles, code breaking, or even just math, you’ll love to explore this treasure hunt across our state or even just your local area.

DM/Flickr Make sure you’re prepared, though many of the caches have instructions or a list of things you’ll need. Sometimes a shovel is going to come along for the ride, and that’s okay.

For geocaches around you, across Kansas, or worldwide, check out the Geocaching official website. The page for this cache, GC30 Mingo, can be found here.

Dean Shareski/Flickr

Geocaching is like a scavenger hunt, where you use coordinates, clues, and sometimes even math and riddles to find a secret location with a cache, like following a treasure map. Then, once found, you either exchange one of the items inside for an equal value item or just log that you’ve visited this spot.

Amy/Flickr

If you’re looking within town and city limits, odds are they’ll be a little harder to spot if the creators of the cache get inventive. I would never have guessed this light bulb is actually a secret cache! That would be an exciting find to log in my book and on the website.

Ray’s Random/Google

Do you see that little container buried in the ground? Many wouldn’t guess that there is actually treasure inside.

Michael Bisping/Google

It’s the 7th cache ever made, and is usually buried in the ground with only the lid exposed.

Though it’s not the first one ever placed, it’s stood the test of time and is now the oldest one still in use. We’d love to see it last for 20 more years!

Robbie McConnell/Flickr

Add direct coordinates or a code to break on the official website, where people will visit, favorite, comment about your cache, and you can participate in this worldwide event.

DM/Flickr

Make sure you’re prepared, though many of the caches have instructions or a list of things you’ll need. Sometimes a shovel is going to come along for the ride, and that’s okay.

Geocaching is definitely a fun way to explore Kansas, and if you know of any hidden gems within our state, feel free to send them our way with this page here.

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