Geocaching in South Dakota State Parks

A boy finds a geocache filled with goodies.

Geocaching (pronounced "geo-cashing") is an outdoor treasure hunt using hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) units. The geocachers hide and seek "treasures" which are waterproof containers that typically include a pencil, small notebook to serve as a logbook for finders, and several trinkets like key chains, small toys and buttons.

Geocachers hide the geocache and enter the coordinates (latitude and longitude) on a website. Others download the coordinates, enter them into their GPS units and head out to find the geocache.

Once the cache is found, the finders enter their names and date into the logbook in the cache. The finders can then take an object from the cache while leaving something of equal or higher value. The finders replace the geocache in the same place where they found it so future geocachers can find it.

Geocaches can range in size from a small film canister to bigger than a 5-gallon bucket. There are several different versions of geocaching.

To find coordinates for your area, go to www.Geocaching.com and enter your zip code number. Geocaches are found around the world.

Always get permission from private landowners and managers of public properties before hiding a geocache, including in the South Dakota State Parks. Prior permission helps avoid trespassing, damaging fragile environments, and other mix-ups, such as having a bomb squad called to the site.

Geocache Sites in S.D. State Parks
Location	Latitude	Longitude	Elevation
Adams Homestead	N 42° 31.116'	W 096° 32.255’
Big Sioux	N 43° 34.823’	W 096° 36.254'
	N 43° 35.185'	W 096° 35.762'
Custer State Park	N 43° 46.176’	W 103° 23.786’	4304 ft
Indian Creek	N 45° 31.245' N 45° 31.284' N 45° 31.244'	W 100° 23.500' W 100° 22.945' W 100° 24.173'


Lake Louise	N 44° 37.397'	W 099° 08.286’	1,599 ft
Lewis & Clark	N 42° 51.562' N 42° 51.429' N 42° 52.008' N 42° 52.257' N 42° 51.962'	W 097° 32.601' W 097° 33.134' W 097° 30.831' W 097° 30.636' W 097° 31.409'



Oahe Downstream	N 44° 34.371' N 44° 25.332' N 44° 26.440'	W 100° 30.206' W 100° 23.053' W 100° 23.773'


Palisades	N 43° 41.342' N 43° 41.347' N 43° 41.174'	W 096° 31.106' W 096° 30.968' W 096° 31.478'


Pelican Lake	N 44° 51.294'	W 097° 12.611’
Pickerel Lake	N 45° 29.006' N 45° 29.334' N 45° 30.081'	W 097° 15.550' W 097° 15.720' W 097° 16.951'


Revheim	N 45° 31.192'	W 100° 23.992'
Richmond Lake	N 45° 32.114'	W 098° 37.252'
Rocky Point	N 44° 43.213'	W 103° 42.047’

Learn more about other GPS activities
View the SD state parks calendar of events