P.Moraski/Tower

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a treasure hunter, you don’t need a pirate ship or a map marked with an “X.” All you need is a smartphone or GPS device and a sense of adventure. Welcome to geocaching, the real-world game that turns the outdoors into a playground of hidden secrets.

Geocaching started back in 2000, when GPS signals became available for public use. The idea was simple: hide a container, post the coordinates online, and let others find it. Since then, millions of caches have been tucked away worldwide—in cities, parks, forests, and even along hiking trails in northern Minnesota.

Caches in Our Backyard The Iron Range and Arrowhead region offer a perfect playground for geocachers. Around Tower, you’ll find caches tucked near Lake Vermilion trails, the historic Soudan Underground Mine, and even close to popular fishing spots. A simple walk can turn into a mini-adventure when you know there’s a hidden logbook waiting to be discovered nearby.

In Cook, geocachers often enjoy the mix of lakeshore and backwoods locations. Some caches are cleverly placed along boating access points or near scenic overlooks where you’d probably stop anyway. It’s like a bonus prize on your day trip.

Ely, a gateway to the Boundary Waters, might be one of the most exciting areas to explore for geocachers. With miles of trails and plenty of hidden nooks, you never know if your next find will be near a portage trail, tucked behind a pine, or overlooking a quiet bay. Ely also has some creative puzzle caches—ones that require you to solve riddles before heading out to the coordinates.

Why It’s Fun Up Here Geocaching in northern Minnesota blends perfectly with the outdoorsy lifestyle. It gives families another reason to hit the trails, whether at Bear Head Lake State Park, McCarthy Beach, or along Vermilion River. Locals often say it adds a fresh twist to places they’ve visited dozens of times—because now, there’s something hidden just waiting to be found.

Winter Geocaching One of the best parts about geocaching in northern Minnesota is that the fun doesn’t end when the snow falls. In Tower, caches near groomed snowmobile and ski trails are popular winter finds. Around Cook, some caches are still accessible near trailheads and plowed parking areas, making them perfect for a snowy day adventure. Ely, with its winter festivals and frozen lakes, offers opportunities to snowshoe or cross-country ski your way to hidden treasures. Just be sure to dress warmly and keep safety in mind, as winter caching often means trekking through snowdrifts and icy paths.

Getting Started Download a geocaching app, pick a cache nearby, and follow the arrow. Don’t forget a pen to sign the logbook, and if the cache has small treasures, trade fairly—take one, leave one. Before you know it, you’ll be hooked on the thrill of finding something that’s been hidden in plain sight.

So whether you’re wandering the streets of Ely, boating near Cook, hiking around Tower, or even snowshoeing through a winter wonderland, remember—there might be a secret treasure waiting just a few steps off the trail.