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:
October 29 - Event
GCACX8D - Ft. Abraham Lincoln (Host: Amy Z. - gloworm77)
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)
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)
May 6 - Event
GCA7JDT - Icelandic State Park (Host: Chad T. and Jane T. - Trycacheus and TheOtherHalf)
June 3 - Event
GCA86WJ - Beaver Lake State Park (Host: Jim S. - Minotranger)
June 25 - Event
GCA693K - Lake Sakakawea State Park (Host: Amy Z. - gloworm77)
July 30 - Event
GCAAPVQ - Fort Ransom State Park (Host: Phyllis - Butterfly_77)
August 19 - Event
GCAAMVC - Little Missouri State Park (Host: Kelsie - Jasperie)
September 17 - Event
GCAAQ0K - Turtle River State Park (Host: Chat T. - Trycacheus)
2024 North Dakota Geocaching Association
14th Annual Camping and Caching Event
June 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 2024
Jamestown, ND
Watch this space for more information as we get closer to the event.
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.
The camp sites at the park are going fast with the summer vacation season in full swing. If you haven't booked your camp site yet, do so as soon as possible.
ND State Park
reservation site.
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
May 29 Update:
The T-shirt ordering website is now live.
The last day to place an order for T-shirts is is June 16th.
All T-shirts will be delivered at the event as shipping is not available.
Visit
https://ndgca.itemorder.com/shop/home/ to place your order.
Friday, June 23rd, 2:45PM - 3:45PM
GCA692Y - Meet & Tour – Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery
Location:
Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery
If you're in the area early Friday afternoon, join us for a tour of the Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery.
Friday, June 23rd, 5:30PM - 7:00
GCA6948 - Maker Magic: 2023 NDGCA Creating the MAGIC!!!
Location:
N 47° 31.849 W 101° 26.872
The Meet and Greet has been designated a Maker Magic event. It has the same GC code as the original event.
5:30pm Dinner:
Taco-In-A-Bag (walking taco) dinner provided by NDGCA
The event is in the camp area in Lake Sakakawea State Park. Bring your camp chairs for sitting.
6:00pm Creative Caches Talk:
Discussion lead by the one and only Trycacheus of Glibly, ND
Some of the topics coverered:
* Have you ever found a Trycacheus hide and wondered how did he come up with that?
* What materials has Trycacheus found that works best in the elements of North Dakota?
* What creative caches has Trycacheus learned to avoid?
Bring your questions, comments, and favorite stories about all things about hiding and finding creative caches.
6:30pm Build a CREATIVE Cache Contest:
We will bring containers to start everyone out the same.
We will have tools available to help you spice up those containers and make them the best creative cache.
Voting on the creative caches will be on Saturday June 24th at 6pm at the Potluck Party.
Saturday, June 24th, 8:00AM
GCA5ZEB - 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
Saturday, June 24th, 9:00PM - 10:30PM
GCA6VEJ - Always room for S’more - Campfire
Location:
N 47° 31.879 W 101° 26.892
Sit around the campfire and talk about the geocaching and eating S'mores. S’more fixings will be provided by NDGCA
Sunday, June 25th, 5:30AM - 6:30AM
GCA6VHF - Lake Sakakawea 12 Month/12 Hikes Event
Location:
Lake Sakakawea State Park – North Country Trail
Come join us on a sunrise hike of the North Contry trail at Lake Sakakawea State Park.
Sunday, June 25th, 9:00AM - 11:00AM
GCA6VHF - Batty Box CITO
Location:
Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery
Come help build Bat houses to help the bat population.
Other events this weekend:
Meet & Tour – Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery (June 23rd GCA692Y)
Maker Magic: 2023 NDGCA Creating the MAGIC!!! (June 23rd GCA6948)
2023 NDGCA Camping and Caching – Main Event (June 24th GCA5ZEB)
12 Months/12 Hikes 2023 – Lake Sakakawea (June 25th GCA693K)
Batty Box CITO – Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery (June 25th GCA6CHF)
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° 37.709Microtel 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