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Joshua bought a handheld GPSr (in 2008 when apps weren’t like what we have today), found his first geocache close to work, and was immediately hooked. Since then, he’s found over 10,000 of the 3 million geocaches cleverly hidden worldwide.
Along the way, he’s met incredible people with his hobby, some of whom are now his closest friends. For a cache, he’s hopped the Slovakia border, dodged piranha-infested waters, and taken cactus spines to the skin — and he has the 400 souvenirs (digital badges for things like visiting different states or countries, completing challenges, or finishing GeoTours) to prove it.
His excitement for geocaching — whether through his weekly YouTube videos or his Comic Book —creatively approaches the hobby that newcomers and longtime cachers enjoy.
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first of all... what is geocaching exactly?
It's an outdoor treasure-hunting game with a worldwide community keeping the game going 24/7.
You find these treasures, called geocaches, by GPS coordinates. There are usually small trinkets, but it's more about the fun of the hunt than what's inside. Some trinkets stay with the container, some can be traded, and some move cache-to-cache.
First, someone hides a waterproof container and posts the coordinates (and sometimes extra hints) on geocaching websites and apps. Once you find the cache, you sign your name in the physical logbook and can also log it online.
There are usually difficulty ratings for how tricky the hide is and some geocaches even make you solve riddles, decode ciphers, or know trivia to find the final coordinates and open the container.
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geocaching will take you to waterfalls you didn’t know were there and uncover local history you might’ve missed.
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what’s a common mistake beginners make when geocaching and how can they avoid it?
New geocachers often follow the GPS arrow straight through the woods, bushwhacking unnecessarily. It’s better to stay on the trail until it’s clear you can’t get any closer without leaving it.
There’s a bit of a learning curve at first, but the Minnesota geocaching community is full of kind folks who love helping new players. Attending events is a great way to meet others and learn the ropes. I wouldn’t still be doing this if not for a few awesome geocachers who helped me early on.
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what gear or apps do you recommend for someone who wants to start geocaching?
The official Geocaching app is a great place to start. It teaches the basics really well. It’s limited unless you go Premium, but it’s worth it for the hours of fun you’ll get.
If you're headed into the woods, wear pants and proper footwear. Also don’t forget a pen! You have to sign the logbook to prove you found the cache.
is geocaching kid- and family-friendly? any tips on how to start out?
Absolutely. For younger kids, go for “regular-sized” caches since they’re more likely to have toys and fun swag. It’s also a good idea to have the kids bring along small items they’re willing to trade. If you take something, you're supposed to leave something of equal or greater value.
Stick with caches rated 2 or lower for both difficulty and terrain. And sometimes, I’ll pre-find a few caches before bringing the kids, just to make sure the experience is a good one. A bad first outing can turn them off from caching altogether.
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what makes minnesota a great place to go geocaching?
People hide geocaches in places they’re proud of and Minnesota is full of incredible parks and beautiful locations. It’ll take you to waterfalls you didn’t know were there and uncover local history you might’ve missed.
It even makes road trips better; most rest stops in the state have a geocache. I’ve also used geocaching as a way to visit every county in Minnesota, discovering small towns I probably never would’ve gone to otherwise.
any specific locations you want to call out?
Our North Shore is already incredible, but throw in a few geocaches and it feels like you’re on a real-life Goonies adventure.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan is a true hidden gem with rolling hills, wooded trails, peaceful lakes, and it’s packed with geocaches.
I also love that Minnesota has tons of quirky roadside attractions; like the “World’s Largest Ball of Twine by One Man,” the Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, Turkey Tom in Frazee, and Big Ole in Alexandria. Each of these spots has geocaches nearby too.
And don’t sleep on the Twin Cities. Geocaching isn’t just for the woods; there are hundreds of clever, creative caches hidden all around the metro. Some feel like mini escape rooms and bring you to unexpected places in the city.
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what’s one geocache that every cacher should add to their bucket list?
There’s a multi-cache in Lebanon Hills in Eagan called "Fire and Ice." It’s a gadget cache, so while it’s easy to find, it’s tricky to open. At one stage, you need to either warm or cool a sensor to unlock the next coordinates. In winter, bring hand warmers. In summer, bring a water bottle full of ice. It’s creative and super fun.
what’s the most unexpected or remote place geocaching has taken you in minnesota?
That would be “Alvin’s Phone Line,” the oldest geocache in Minnesota. It’s on public land about an hour north of Virginia, MN; completely remote. All that’s out there is a big ammo can and an old metal chair, but it’s a must-visit for every serious Minnesota cacher.
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what's the most unique item you’ve ever found?
Most geocache swag is standard; coins, little toys, buttons, stickers. But because people know me from YouTube, I’ve found trackable items that were created specifically to find me. People have even sent swag and notes that traveled from cache to cache just to reach me.
what do you do with a geocache once you find it?
Geocaches are meant to remain hidden so that others can find them. What’s inside depends on many things, but there should always be a log for you to sign. After you find the cache, sign the log and put it back where you found it.
You might find trackables (meant to move from geocache to geocache) or items to trade (if you take something meant to be traded, make sure to leave something of equal or greater value).
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how does geocaching change with the seasons?
In winter, caches can get buried under the snow, which makes them harder to find; but that’s also what makes it an adventure. Snowshoes or cross-country skis can turn a geocache hunt into something even more fun. Sometimes you can follow footprints right to the cache.
I like to check if a cache has been found recently before heading out in winter. If it hasn’t, it might be better to wait until spring.
Personally, I think fall is the best season for caching. The leaves are stunning, the bugs are mostly gone, and the GPS signal tends to be better once the leaves are down.
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what’s your strategy for tackling a geocaching road trip in minnesota?
Do a little research ahead of time and filter for caches with lots of “favorite points.” Points are a way for geocachers to award and find the best geocaches. Those are usually high-quality hides or ones that take you to a really cool spot.
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if someone wants to make their own geocache in minnesota, what advice would you give them?
Find at least 50 geocaches before hiding your first one. That way you’ll know what makes a quality hide. New players who place caches too soon often create low-quality ones.
Use a good, watertight container and pick a thoughtful location. Make sure to carefully read the geocaching.com guidelines. Your cache won’t get published if you don’t follow them.
A great cache either brings you to an awesome place or surprises you with something clever or unexpected.
have you hidden any caches yourself?
Yes, I’ve hidden 72 geocaches over the years!
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from top to bottom: All photos provided by Joshua Johnson
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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