Outdoor / Adventure
Geocaching in the Smokies
Hundreds of geocaches are hidden throughout the Smokies corridor — in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and inside the national park. All you need is the free Geocaching app and a sense of adventure.
What to Know
Best Seasons
Year-round. Easier in summer and fall when vegetation is manageable. Winter caches in the national park can require snowshoes for mountain caches. Many caches are accessible on sidewalks and at pullouts year-round.
What to Bring
Smartphone with the app. Small items to trade (optional — many caches contain trinkets you can swap). Pen to sign the paper log inside the cache. Comfortable walking shoes.
Find the Right Fit
Download the App
Download the free Geocaching app (geocaching.com) and create a free account. The basic app is free and shows hundreds of caches throughout the area.
Pick a Cache Type
Traditional caches are physical containers at GPS coordinates. Multi-caches require finding multiple clues to reach the final container. Puzzle caches require solving a puzzle first. Start with Traditional caches rated 1/5 or 2/5 difficulty.
Start Hunting
Navigate to within a few feet of the coordinates, then search the surrounding area. Caches are hidden in trees, under rocks, in log hollows, behind signs, and in countless creative locations.
0 Options Across the Smokies
Sorted by visitor rating and review count. Click any card for full details, photos, and directions.
Tips and Getting There
Insider Tips
- The Smokies has caches ranging from roadside pullouts (trivial) to remote mountain summits requiring a full day hike. Filter by difficulty and terrain rating before you start.
- Look for nano caches in town — tiny magnetic containers hidden on sign posts and railings. Finding your first nano is surprisingly satisfying.
- Cache containers are often more creative than just a box — they are disguised as rocks, bolts, electrical boxes, and stranger things. Part of the game is figuring out what you are looking for.
Getting There and Parking
Geocaching requires no specific venue. Use the app map to find caches near wherever you are. The highest density of caches is in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge town centers, at trailheads, and at scenic overlooks throughout the park.
Finding the Right Geocaching for Your Group
For Families with Kids
Geocaching is one of the best free activities for families in the Smokies. Kids love the treasure hunt aspect. Start with Traditional caches rated 1/5 and work up to harder ones as confidence grows.
For Hikers
Many trailhead and summit caches have been placed by hikers for hikers. Adding a geocache hunt to a hike gives an extra reason to reach a specific viewpoint or summit.
For Competitive Groups
Split the group into teams and see who can find the most caches in a day. The Smokies corridor has enough density that a full day of dedicated hunting can yield 10-15 finds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is geocaching free?
The basic Geocaching app is completely free. A premium membership unlocks additional cache types and filtering. Most people find the free tier more than sufficient.
Are geocaches allowed inside the national park?
Yes. The NPS has an agreement with Geocaching.com that permits caches in national parks. Many park caches require approval and are placed by experienced cachers.
What do I do if I find a cache?
Sign the paper log inside the cache (most have one), optionally trade a trinket if it is a larger cache, then log your find on the app. Do not move or damage the cache.
What if I cannot find a cache?
Log a Did Not Find (DNF) on the app — it helps cache owners know if something might be missing. Do not give up after one miss; try a different approach or come back later.
Are there family-friendly caches in the area?
Yes. Filter by Terrain rating of 1 or 1.5 for caches accessible without hiking. Many urban caches in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are roadside finds suitable for all mobility levels.
What is in the caches?
Nano and micro caches contain just a paper log. Small and regular caches contain trinkets to trade plus a log. Large caches may have more interesting contents. You can swap a trinket of equal or greater value.
Stay Within Reach of Geocaching
End a day of cache hunting in a Vantage cabin with a hot tub and mountain views. Cabins minutes from hundreds of Smokies geocaches.
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