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North Dakota State Parks
12 Months - 12 Hikes Challenge Event Caches
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023



For the third year, the North Dakota Park & Recreation Department (NDPRD) has issued a statewide “12 Months – 12 Hikes” Challenge. To participate, just pick and hike one of the 22 qualifying trails in one of the 14 participating state parks and recreation areas. You have the entire month to complete a hike. You can complete your hikes all in one park or explore any of 14 locations across the state.

New this year: If you miss a month, you can complete your hikes on one of the six bonus hiking trails with partnering park districts to help you meet your challenge.

The North Dakota Geocaching Association (NDGCA) would like to help everyone complete the hiking challenge. To do this, we will be hosting an event in a different state park each month, so we can get together with other geocachers. 

Everyone is welcome, even if you have never found a geocache.

Event dates are subject to change.

2023 Upcoming Events:
March 17 - Event GCA3XGA - Lake Stevenson State Park (Host: Jim S. - Minotranger)
March 25 - Event GCA42PY - Lewis and Clark State Park (Host: Angie W. - Jangie)
April 1 - Event GCA59X3 - Sully Creek State Park (Host: Alida H. - i.findit)
April 22 - Event GCA4RFV - Johnny Gisi Memorial Park - Bonus Hike (Host: Mike - GillfamND)

2023 Past Events:
January 28 - Event GCA0KVB - Lake Metigoshe State Park (Host: Jeff - cedirtboyz)
February 18 - Event GCA3XH2 - Cross Ranch State Park (Host: Jim S. - Minotranger)


2023 North Dakota Geocaching Association
13th Annual Camping and Caching Event
June 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 2023
Lake Sakakawea State Park, Pick City, ND


Lake Sakakawea State Park is going to be the venue for this year's Camping and Caching event. Lake Sakakawea State Park is located near Pick City northwest of Bismarck.

State Park Camping: parkrecnd.com - Find a Campground or RV parks and Make campground reservations online

A day pass ($7.00) or annual vehicle permit ($35.00, good at all ND state parks) is required to enter Lake Sakakawea State Park.

Camping reservations can be made 95 days before the start of the reservation. This is a busy state park, so book those camping sites ASAP!
March 19th 2023 for Thursday June 22nd (Early bird campers)
March 20th 2023 for Friday June 23rd
March 21st 2023 for Saturday June 24th
ND State Park reservation site.
Reservation open at 7am Central Time on the first day of the 95-day window after that they can be made 24/7

For those that do not camp, there are a couple of hotels in the area:
Knights Lodge - (701) 654-9559
Sakakawea sunset inn - (701) 654-7600

Friday, June 23rd, time TBD

NDGCA Camping and Caching Meet and Greet
Location: TBD
If you're in the area early, we plan to meet at for a meet and greet.

Saturday, June 24th, time 8:00AM

2023 NDGCA Camping and Caching - Main event
Location: N 47° 31.845 W 101° 27.277 The big shelter in Lake Sakakawea State Park

Tentative schedule:
8:00am-10am Welcome, Activities, & Information
Afternoon actives TBA
6:00pm-8:00pm Potluck party!
Please bring a dish to share and your beverage of choice. Silverware, napkins, & plates will be provided.
During the dinner we will have a silent raffle going on to support the NDGCA. Donation items for the auction welcome

Sunday, June 25th, time TBD

2023 NDGCA Camping and Caching - Goodbye Event
Location: TBD
We will end the weekend with a breakfast or a CITO.

Other events this weekend:
Meet & Tour – Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery (June 23rd GC?????)
2023 NDGCA Camping and Caching – Meet & Greet (June 23rd GC??????)
2023 NDGCA Camping and Caching – Main Event (June 24th GCA5ZEB)
12 Months/12 Hikes 2023 – Lake Sakakawea (June 25th GC??????)
TBA – Possibly Campfire, Goodbye Breakfast, CITO
More information will be posted as it becomes available from the camping and caching event committee.

2022 North Dakota Geocaching Association
12th Annual Camping and Caching Event
June 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2022
Williston, North Dakota


Williston and Lewis & Clark State Park are excited for you to explore the northwestern corner of the state this upcoming summer during Camping and Caching!

Thursday, June 23rd 6:00pm - 9:00pm

WAGS: Pre-Event Movie Night
Location: N 48° 10.831 W 103° 37.709
Microtel Inn & Suites Conference Room
3820 4th Ave W
Williston, ND 58801

If you're in town early, we plan to meet at 6:00PM local time and show you a good time at a monthly "WAGS" event. We will be watching Finding ‘Ohana (PG). Some movie snacks, drinks, and games will be provided. All we ask is you come as you are, be it fresh off the geotrail or just rolling into town, and you bring your geo-chat/stories to share!

Friday, June 24th 5:00pm - 7:00pm

2022 NDGCA Camping and Caching - Meet and Greet
Location: N 48° 07.833 W 103° 13.681

The weekend kicks off with an evening at Lewis & Clark State Park. We have reserved the Friendship Shelter (next to the amphitheater). Campsites will become available to reserve 95 days in advance; March 21st is when June 24th can be booked. This meet and greet will include food provided by the hosts, games, and a campfire.

5:00pm (or earlier): Setup your site, come on over to the Friendship Shelter (next to the amphitheater) for some fun and games.
6:00pm: Taco-in-a-bag bar is served; please bring your own drinks and snacks for the evening.
10:00pm: (or once it gets dark): Join us for a night cache hike!

State Park Camping: parkrecnd.com - Find a Campground or RV parks and Make campground reservations online

A day pass ($7.00) or annual vehicle permit ($35.00, good at all ND state parks) is required to enter Lewis & Clark State Park.

Saturday, June 25th 8:00AM - 8:30PM

2022 NDGCA Camping and Caching - Celebration
Location: N 48° 12.024 W 103° 36.956
We'll head into Williston for the remainder of the weekend. Spring Lake Park will be our meeting spot, starting the morning of the 25th, and then returning for a potluck supper.

8:00am - 11:00am: Grab swag (first 12 will get a travel first aid kit) and all the information you'll need to get the most out of your weekend!
6:00pm - 8:30pm: Return for a potluck party! Please bring a dish to share and your beverage of choice for the potluck supper (hotdogs, burgers, silverware, napkins, and plates will be provided). We'll have lots of games, prizes, and silent auction items available!

Sunday, June 26th 8:30pm - 9:30pm

2022 NDGCA Camping and Caching - Goodbye Breakfast & CITO
Location: N 48° 12.016 W 103° 36.950

We will end the weekend with a CITO at Spring Lake Park. Come say goodbye, and help out clean up the park! Donuts and coffee will be provided for those who don‘t come out to the breakfast prior to this event (details found on FB or at Saturday's event).

Breakfast will be a non-event prior to the CITO at a local diner. Time and location is TBD.

We will share updates as they become available. We plan to reserve blocks of hotel rooms at Microtel and MainStay. Pathtags have been ordered; t-shirts have been designed (able to be ordered in March); games and fun are in the works!


A few extra places to visit while you're in the area: Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Unit), Williams County Fair, Williston Area Recreational Center, Fort Union, and lots of GZs!

We're excited to see you all this next summer!
The WAGS (Williston Area Geocachers Social)
Angie/Jangie
Kelsie/Jasperie
Matt/Mineral2
Neil/Rudy TFP

2021 North Dakota Geocaching Association
11th Annual Camping and Caching Event
June 25th, 26th, and 27th, 2021
Minot, North Dakota


Camping

The camping ground for this year's event is at Rough Rider Campground 701-852-8442 located at 500 54 th St NW Minot, ND 58703. Reservations can be made online at the camping ground's website. If you call, speak with Amanda Mason and let them know you are with the ND Geocachers.

Logo Wear

Logo wear for this year's event can be ordered from All American Trophy in Minot via their online store. Here are the designs selected for this year is event Front/Back.
Deadline for placing an order is May 31, 11:59PM.

Friday, June 25th 5:00PM - 8:00PM

GC99WP4 - 2021 NDGCA Camping and Caching Meet and Greet"
Location: N 48° 15.747 W 101° 25.187

Welcome social (event) to be held at the new Pioneer Village Museum location near Burlington on June 25, 2021 starting at 5:00 p.m. Pizza will be provided by the committee. Please bring your own drinks.

Tentative schedule:
5:00 pm - Start of event
6:00 pm - Pizza is served by host cachers
8:00 pm - End of event - return to your campsite or motel

Saturday, June 26 8:00AM - 12:00PM

2021 NDGCA Camping and Caching - Main Event
Location: N 48° 13.562 W 101° 17.888

Registration starts at 8:00AM on Saturday June 26, 2021 at Minot's Scandinavian Park. This is a special Community Celebration Event. Everyone who attends will earn a souvenir from Geocaching.com.
A preprinted document will list new caches (geoart) in the Minot area.

Saturday, June 26th 5:00PM - 8:00PM

2021 NDGCA Camping and Caching Pot Luck Supper
Location: N 48° 14.151 W 101° 16.530

Dinner is planned for Roosevelt Park at 5:00PM.
Barbecue brisket and pork will be provided along with plates and dinner ware. You must provide your own beverages.
Please bring a dish to pass.
During dinner we will have an auction to support the NDGCA. Please bring an item to donate to the auction.

Sunday, June 27th Time 7:30AM - 9:00AM

Location: N 48° 15.373 W 101° 17.802

Pancake breakfast at the American Legion. This is not an official event as we want to host a CITO event right after breakfast and the reviewer will not let us host two events so close to each other on the same day.

June 27th 9:00 - 11:00

GC99436 - NDGCA Camping & Caching 2021 CITO
Location: N 48° 15.376 W 101° 17.787 (Minot American Legion Post 26. 1949 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703)
The CITO staff will provide plastic bags, plastic gloves, limited trash gathering tools, and other equipment as needed to complete cleanup/beautification goals.
You may want to bring your own leather gloves and any other CITO tools you own.

Hands Across the Border Event
June 20, 2020 11:00AM-1:00PM
Maple Picnic Area
Manitoba Women’s Institute Picnic Shelter
International Peace Gardens



The Manitoba Geocaching Association (MBGA), the North Dakota Geocaching Association (NDGCA), and The International Peace Garden invite you to join us in "Hands Across the Border" - a geocaching event linking caching friends in two countries inspired by a challenge issued by the "Hands Across the Border" event between BC and Washington state held earlier this year.

Agenda:
WHEN: SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019 11:00AM to 1:00PM

WHERE: Maple Picnic Area, Manitoba Women’s Institute Picnic Shelter, International Peace Gardens (#14 on the map)

11:00AM - Meet and greet at GZ with activities planned by MBGA and NDGCA

12:00 PM - Lunch - MBGA and NDGCA will supply and bbq hot dogs on a grill, and will provide condiments. Geocachers: please bring a side, a salad or a dessert for a potluck to be shared with the group. (Group photo before lunch?)

Geocachers… please bring: A side/salad/dessert for the PotLuck lunch; your own beverages (There are hand pumps in some picnic areas, and a water refill station at the Interpretive Centre), chairs and/or a blanket to sit on.

In order to make this event as green as possible, we are planning a zero-waste lunch. All participants who are coming for lunch are asked to bring their own re-usable plates and cutlery. Please also bring your beverages and any additional food products in reusable containers as much as possible. Paper napkins (100% recycled content) will be provided, but bringing your own reusable napkins would be preferred. The goal will be to have little or no waste left after lunch is done. Thank you for helping making this an earth-friendly event.

We are hoping to place some international caches for release on the day of the event to enable people to find caches in two countries on the same day without leaving the country… pretty cool! The IPG are also hoping to release some new caches for the summer so there will be caching fun available in The Gardens.

Entry and Return Requirements/Procedures at the United States and Canadian Border Crossings:

Entry fee: $20 per vehicle. (Per vehicle whether there is one person, or six, still $20 so please car pool, if you can. It will save you money!)

Prior to arriving at the gate entrance to the International Peace Garden, visitors will drive past the USA Port of Entry or the Canadian Port of Entry. You are no longer in either of these two countries. Departing the International Peace Garden, a stop is required at the Port of Entry, of the country you wish to enter. Border Services requires and records identification on all vehicle passengers. A passport (or Nexus card) is the preferred document and expedites the process however, a birth certificate and government issued ID can be used instead of a passport. The International Peace Garden does not mandate the identification requirements. View a map of the entry location.

Camping is available in the Gardens Campground, and also in nearby campgrounds (eg Adam’s, Max and Williams Lakes)

There are picnic areas, playgrounds, hiking trails, and bike paths to explore the 2,339 acres that encompass the IPG.

See GC894X7 for complete information, updates, and to log your "Will Attend".

2019 North Dakota Geocaching Association
10th Anniversary Camping and Caching
June 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2019


Load up your GPS and camping gear, invite your friends and family to join us for the 10th Anniversary of the North Dakota state wide camping and caching event located in Dickinson, North Dakota. Come for the day or camp for the weekend. This will be an event you don't want to miss.

Friday night starts with a meet and greet, and a campfire (weather permitting). Food to be provided by the NDGCA host group.

Saturday will be filled with games, caching, and prizes. Join us Saturday night for a potluck supper (bring a dish to pass and your own refreshments). Plates, plasticware, and napkins will be provided by NDGCA host group.

Sunday will conclude the weekend fun with a breakfast.

Please post a will attend

The Dickenson Convention and Vistors Bureau has generously agreed to create name tags for our event. The CVB will need your real name, caching name, and hometown for everyone in your group so the tags can be printed and ready to go when you get here. Please include that information in your will attend log or message/email i.Findit with it.

T-Shirts Available

Caching and Camping T-Shirts are available from Logo Magic Inc. in Dickenson via their online store. T-Shirts and hooded sweatshirts available in both adult and youth sizes. Orders can either be mailed (additional fee applies) or picked at the event when you register. Payment with a credit or debit card is required at the time the order is placed.

Orders must be placed by June 2, 2019.

Event Venue and Camping/Lodging Information

The event will be held at the Patterson Lake Recreation Area.

A block of campsites has been reserved at a discounted rate for NDGCA Camping and Caching attendees starting March 1st. Each person/family camping will need to call to make reservations (no discount is available if reservations are made online) and mention that you are part of the geocaching group. Campers age 60 and older will receive a 50% discount on their camping reservation.

How to access the discounted camping rate:
Call 701-456-2074 during normal business hours and tell them you are part of the geocaching group and request the discounted rate for Patterson Lake Recreation Area.
The rate for water and electricity is $13 per night.
Additional nights (besides Friday and Saturday) will also be at the lower rate.

For non-campers, there is a daily entrance fee of $2.00 per vehicle.
2019/04/12 - Updated Information: For the non-campers who wish to attend the event, a block of rooms has been reserved at the Microtel by Wyndham under the ND Geocaching Association. The rooms are $75 per night for a double/queen room. To reserve your room(s), please call the hotel directly at 701-456-2000 and state that you want a room from the ND Geocaching Association block. The rates will be honored where possible for your entire stay if you staying longer than just June 21 and 22. The block of rooms will be available until May 21 when any unreserved rooms will be returned to the hotel for use by other guests.

You can check out other nearby hotels and motels on the Dickinson Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

Nearby Attractions and Things To Do

There are many opportunities for new and exciting adventures in and around the Dickinson area. One of them is the Medora Musical held each summer in historic Medora about 30 miles west of Dickinson off of I-94.

Another attraction in Medora is the pitchfork fondue. YES!, they actually cook steaks on pitchforks in huge pots of boiling oil!

A fun attraction near Dickinson is the Enchanted Highway. A 32 miles stretch of highway located just south of I-94 at Gladstone, ND. An added bonus to geocachers, there are caches hidden at the sculptures along the way.

Schedule of Events
All times listed are in the Mountain Timezone (UTC -7:00)

2019 NDGCA Camping and Caching Meet and Greet on Friday, June 21st.
Location: Patterson Lake Recreation Area
Coordinates: N46° 51.947 W102° 51.197
5:00PM or earlier- The fun begins. Come on in and find your campsite and set up for the weekend
6:00PM - BBQ served by host cachers
9:30PM - 11:00PM Campfire

2019 NDGCA Camping and Caching X Games on Saturday, June 22nd.
Location: Pioneer Park
Coordinates: N46° 53.686 W102° 46.850
Partial agenda:
8:00AM - Registration and Instructions for the event
8:00AM - 6:00PM Caching and games agenda to be announced
6:00PM - 8:30PM Potluck at Pioneer Park

2019 NDGCA Camping and Caching Goodbye Breakfast on Sunday, June 23rd.
Location: Pioneer Park
Coordinates: N46° 53.686 W102° 46.850
8:00AM - Breakfast at Pioneer Park
11:00AM - Event Ends