International Geocaching Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Geocaching HQ first-party history identifies August 20, 2011 as the first International Geocaching Day and states that it is now celebrated every third Saturday in August. Current official guidelines require permission for cache placement and protect property, restricted areas and the environment.
About International Geocaching Day
International Geocaching Day is a worldwide community celebration held on the third Saturday of August. Geocaching HQ’s history identifies August 20, 2011 as the first International Geocaching Day.
The observance celebrates the GPS-based activity of geocaching, but the game is governed by location-specific rules. Official guidelines require appropriate permission for cache placement and protect land managers, private property, restricted areas and the environment.
Why International Geocaching Day matters
The day is a community milestone for people who enjoy finding and hiding geocaches and exploring places through GPS-guided activities. It is not permission to enter restricted land or ignore local access rules.
Responsible participation includes respecting published cache information, keeping nonpublic or puzzle-derived coordinates from being exposed unnecessarily, and choosing activities appropriate to the participants’ experience, age, terrain and conditions.
History of International Geocaching Day
Geocaching HQ records May 3, 2000 as the placement of the first geocache after improved civilian GPS accuracy became available. The activity then grew into an international community.
Geocaching HQ’s milestone history states that August 20, 2011 was the first International Geocaching Day, held alongside the first Geocaching Block Party at HQ. The organization says the observance is now celebrated every third Saturday in August.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Geocaching HQ / Groundspeak
Geocaching HQ / Groundspeak announced the first International Geocaching Day with the 2011 Block Party in its official newsletter and later milestone history.
Geocaching HQ / Groundspeak
Geocaching HQ / Groundspeak
First documented observance
Geocaching HQ identifies August 20, 2011 as the first International Geocaching Day.
Geocaching HQ
Geocaching HQ continues to publish International Geocaching Day campaigns and historical material.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Geocaching Day
Find a published geocache that matches your experience and current local conditions, using the official listing and access information.
If hiding a cache, follow Geocaching HQ guidelines and obtain the required landowner or land-manager permission before placement.
Avoid damaging plants, wildlife, historic sites or property, and do not enter restricted or unsafe areas to reach a cache.
For children or group outings, use appropriate supervision, protect personal/location privacy and choose terrain and timing suitable for the group.
International Geocaching Day Facts
The first International Geocaching Day was August 20, 2011.
International Geocaching Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of August.
The 2026 date is August 15 and the 2027 date is August 21.
Geocaching HQ requires necessary landowner or land-manager permission for cache placement.
Official guidelines prohibit cache placement that damages property, harms plants or animals, or relies on restricted locations.
International Geocaching Day Messages
Happy International Geocaching Day—may every find come with respect for the place that made the adventure possible.
Here’s to careful coordinates, curious explorers and responsible adventures this International Geocaching Day.
Celebrate International Geocaching Day by exploring thoughtfully, following local rules and leaving places in good condition.
May today bring a satisfying find, a good walk and a little more appreciation for the landscape around you.
Wishing geocachers a safe and considerate International Geocaching Day, wherever the next clue leads.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Geocaching HQ — 2011 first International Geocaching Day newsletter archive (opens in a new tab)
Official Organizer Contemporaneous History
Geocaching HQ — 25 years of geocaching milestones (opens in a new tab)
Official Organizer History
Geocaching HQ — Geocache hiding guidelines (opens in a new tab)
Official Guidelines
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Geocaching Day?
Third Saturday of August The documented recurrence rule is: Third Saturday of August.
Does International Geocaching Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is International Geocaching Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Global geocaching community observance coordinated by Geocaching HQ; outdoor recreation with land-permission, property, privacy, environmental and safety boundaries. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Geocaching Day?
The reviewed sources identify Geocaching HQ / Groundspeak as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Geocaching HQ.
Is International Geocaching Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: Global geocaching community observance coordinated by Geocaching HQ; outdoor recreation with land-permission, property, privacy, environmental and safety boundaries. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-05.
When is International Geocaching Day?
It is celebrated on the third Saturday of August. In 2026 that is August 15; in 2027 it is August 21.
When was the first International Geocaching Day?
Geocaching HQ identifies August 20, 2011 as the first International Geocaching Day.
Can I hide a cache anywhere for the day?
No. Geocaching HQ requires necessary permission and its guidelines restrict inappropriate, damaging or prohibited locations.
Should I share exact cache coordinates publicly?
Use the official service and the cache owner’s intended visibility. Do not republish hidden, puzzle-derived or otherwise nonpublic coordinates unnecessarily.
Is geocaching always safe for children?
Terrain and conditions vary. Adults should choose age-appropriate caches, supervise children as needed and follow local access and outdoor-safety guidance.
Other observances on August 21
These observances are also listed on August 21, 2027.
International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage
Proclaimed at UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference (2025)
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
A/RES/72/165
International Homeless Animals’ Day®
ISAR states it created International Homeless Animals’ Day in 1992 and observes it annually on the third Saturday in August; the 2026 date is August 15.
National Report Upcoding Fraud Day
National Day Archives currently records August 21 and attributes the observance to The Hesch Firm / Joel D. Hesch with a 2017 start. No surviving first-party Hesch founder source for this s…
Ninoy Aquino Day
Republic Act No. 9256