Both are outdoor, public treasure hunts with a slight distinction. Geocaching uses coordinates on a GPS (global positioning system) to locate a waterproof container called a cache. Letterboxing uses a series of clues and sometimes a compass to find the letterbox.

Since I recently learned about these hobbies, I’ve been researching them to see if they’d be a good fit for our travels. I kept seeing both terms and wasn’t sure if they were different or interchangeable. As it turns out, while they share similarities, they are distinct activities. Read on to find out more!

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Letterboxing Basics

Letterboxes are hidden in public places like parks and nature trails and can be found by following clues from the letterbox owner. Most letterbox seekers use online forums to access clues for local letterboxes, though some are shared exclusively by word of mouth. The actual letterbox can be any durable, weather-resistant container, such as a metal tin or plastic box.

A unique aspect of letterboxing is the stamping element. Letterboxers carry a personal stamp and ink pad to mark their findings. When you find a letterbox, you’ll discover a logbook and a stamp inside. You stamp your personal logbook with the letterbox’s stamp and leave your own stamp in the letterbox’s logbook. This creates a fun and artistic record of your discoveries.

Geocaching Basics

Geocaching follows a similar premise, finding a hidden container in a public place, but with a major difference: navigation. Instead of clues, you use GPS coordinates to pinpoint a geocache’s location, entering waypoints into a GPS device or a smartphone app.

Geocache descriptions may also provide helpful hints, sometimes encoded for an extra challenge. A fun feature of geocaching is the potential prizes inside the caches. In addition to a logbook, caches often contain small trinkets or even money. If you take an item from a geocache, the geocaching honor code requires you to leave something of equal or greater value for the next explorer.

Five Key Differences

Both activities involve outdoor treasure hunting, but they have some major distinctions:

1. Navigation Method: Geocaching relies on GPS coordinates, while letterboxing follows written clues, which may include maps, compass bearings, riddles, puzzles, or ciphers.
2. Technology: Geocaching requires a GPS device or smartphone app, while letterboxing typically doesn’t require any electronic devices.
3. Container Contents: Geocaches usually contain a logbook and small tradable items, whereas letterboxes contain a logbook and a unique rubber stamp.
4. Logging Method: Geocachers sign the logbook with their username and date. Letterboxers use the box’s stamp to mark their personal notebook and leave their own stamp impression in the box’s logbook.
5. Size Considerations: Geocaches can be tiny (as small as a pill bottle), while letterboxes must be large enough to contain a logbook and a stamp, making them generally bigger than geocaches.

Both activities share the common goal of finding hidden containers in outdoor locations, but they differ in their methods, tools, and traditions. As much as the two have differences, the communities constantly work together, with many geocaches hosting letterboxes in them. The same people who love looking for a cache up a mountain over the weekend can often be found following a long list of clues to leave their stamp in a logbook. While geocaching has a custom of logging where caches are online and with map locations, letterboxing does not. Letterboxers don’t appreciate it when a location is posted online. They want to figure out their own clues.

Hybrid Letterbox-Geocache

A hybrid version, known as a Letterbox Hybrid, combines elements of both hobbies. This type of cache includes GPS coordinates for those who prefer direct navigation but also offers written clues for those who enjoy a more traditional letterboxing experience. These hybrids, listed on geocaching.com, contain a stamp that should not be removed from the cache—unlike regular geocaching items, the stamp is not a tradeable object. There may not be a tradable item in these because of size limitations.

How to Get Started

 To find a geocache, the most popular online forum is geocaching.com. On this site you will need to create a login to access geocache details. With a free account you can access all the basic information you need to geocache. A couple of helpful features listed in the online geocache description are the difficulty rating, terrain rating, and size of geocache. Also, make sure to check the logged visits section for updates on the cache status and possibly more clues.

There are two main ways of joining the letterboxing community, and both will require that you create online accounts.  The website will actively allow you to print out and save all the required clues you need to find the letterboxes. Atlas Quest is the leading website for letterboxing. Not only is it a great community site but it also gives you lots of information about getting started and other FAQ’s.

The other recommended place to join the letterboxing community is through the letterboxing.com (also known as Letterboxing North America – LbNA) website. Similar to geocaching.com, this is one of the original online sources where you can find information on letterboxes around the world.

Conclusion

While letterboxing and geocaching share the excitement of outdoor treasure hunting, they cater to different interests. If you enjoy using technology and tracking specific locations, geocaching might be for you. If you prefer following clues, solving puzzles, and collecting unique stamps, letterboxing could be a better fit. Both offer a fantastic way to explore new places, engage with a like-minded community, and add adventure to your travels.

We hope to encourage you to find your adventures with information we’ve learned while traveling and now not only do I hope this helps you find a new hobby, but I found one for us when we travel. I wrote a few articles about letterboxing to help give you as much information as possible so that you can decide if this is for you. We hope you will get out and find adventures that make you happy and provide lots of memories. Whichever activity you choose (or if you try both!), you’ll experience the thrill of discovery while making lasting memories. Happy hunting!

The post Letterboxing vs. Geocaching: What’s the Difference? appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

Letterboxing has no central governing body to establish an official set of rules, but guidelines and protocols have been established to help keep the peace and order—as with any hobby with thousands of participating members. Some guidelines and protocols have even become so sacred that they have morphed into rules, though no method exists to enforce them. In a nutshell, letterboxing does have rules, guidelines, and protocols and those that choose to break them tend to find themselves on the outs with the community and possibly the law. You must also keep in mind that anytime a letterbox is placed in federal, state or private land there are rules that you must follow. Here are the letterboxing guidelines:

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace principles are a set of guidelines for outdoor etiquette in order to minimize the impact we have on our environment. It is a basic principle of leaving things as you find them. It is important for letterboxers to follow this philosophy so they don’t start developing a reputation for damaging environmentally sensitive areas and possibly being banned from areas. For more information on Leave No Trace check this site.

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Care must be taken in both planting and finding letterboxes. While planting a letterbox avoid hiding a letterbox far off the trail where others will trample vegetation, flowers, or otherwise cause damage. Use natural hiding places for your letterbox instead of digging holes or moving large rocks. Letterboxes should be placed in publicly accessible areas yet stay out of sight of anyone not looking for them. Consider what different seasons may mean to the box. In winter will leaves falling off the tree expose the box or will spring runoff cover the box in water?

While looking for a letterbox, remember to leave the area just as you found it. If you look under a rock, replace the rock back where you found it. Don’t pull out plants or rip up the ground looking for a letterbox. Avoid trampling vegetation while searching for the letterbox. And sometimes—if a letterbox is poorly located—your best option might be to let the box go. A well-placed letterbox should not require any damage to the surrounding area to get. It’s not worth damaging the area to get the box. Even better, if you discover such a letterbox, you should notify the owner of the box suggesting that the letterbox be moved to a better location or the clues removed so others don’t damage the environment.

Safety: Part 1

The safety of you and other letterboxers is of upmost importance. While hiding letterboxes, avoid unsafe areas such along a cliff edge or high in a tree that requires climbing to acquire it. That’s not to say you cannot hide letterboxes halfway up a cliff that requires rock-climbing skills to acquire—but make sure your clue explains that the letterbox is intended for experienced rock climbers only. Make sure that whenever you place a box in an area that requires more than just basic skills, be sure to put as much information in the clue so the hunters of boxes can determine if they’re able to get to it.

If you are looking for a letterbox, know and respect your limits. Do some research before you go: Know how long and difficult of a hike the letterbox requires. Know the weather forecast. Learn from rangers the local trail conditions. And if you ever find yourself in a dangerous place, turn back and let the search go. No letterbox is worth the danger of getting injured!

If you are lucky enough to see wildlife, do not approach or disturb it. Do not feed the animals—even if it is small, cute, and apparently harmless. No wild animal is truly harmless. As with anytime you are involved in outdoor activities, keep an eye out for poisonous plants, like ivy or sumac. Dress for protection against ticks and snakes. Be aware and prepared for changing weather conditions. This isn’t a complete list of things that may harm you, but just to remind you to be prepared. Of course, we can’t prepare for everything and as humans we tend to find new ways to hurt ourselves.

This doesn’t mean that letterboxing is an inherently dangerous, its not. Just know your experience level outdoors and don’t push for letterboxes that exceed your skill level. Most outdoor accidents are preventable. Use caution when reaching into holes and recognize potential hazards before you become a victim of them! Keep in mind also that there will probably be other people in the area so be sure to lock your car and be aware of your surroundings. With a few precautions and common sense, letterboxing is a safe and healthy activity. Stay aware of your surroundings, know the potential dangers, and use your common sense.

Security

The world today leads to security concerns being at unprecedented levels. Whether you are planting letterboxes or hiding them, consider the security ramifications of what you are doing—especially in urban locations.

Searching for letterboxes may look like ‘suspicious activity’ to someone that doesn’t know what you are doing. Which may cause authorities to question what you’re doing. The best solution for this is to not look suspicious. Get creative. Drop your water bottle and as you crouch to get it, get the box. Have a partner create a distraction away from you so that you can get the box without being seen. The possibilities are endless. If someone questions you, the best option is to tell the truth and maybe get a new person who wants to letterbox. But if you feel they may not be receptive to that just say you’re on a scavenger hunt, most people understand that. The best policy, of course, is to search for a letterbox when there’s nobody around to see you doing it, and that should be your goal. But when you can’t, then be prepared if someone questions you.

If you are planting a letterbox, paying attention to security concerns is even more important. ‘Suspicious boxes’ have been reported to the authorities and met their demise by being destroyed or thrown away. Take measures to ensure your letterbox is not mistaken for something more sinister. Use small containers such as film-canisters that are less likely to be mistaken for something dangerous. Or use clear containers so people can see the contents from the outside and be assured there is nothing suspicious inside. Label the outside of your letterbox explaining what it is and provide contact information. Even with all those precautions, common sense dictates that you do not hide letterboxes where security is tight, such as in airports or near well-known national landmarks (Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and so on). Use common sense and put in a safe place.

Respect

Respect laws, rules, property rights and copyrights whenever you conduct letterboxing activities. Most of these are common sense and common courtesy, but ultimately, it all comes down to respecting others. Here are some things to keep in mind:

-Do not publish clues or stamp images that are not your own unless you have the owner’s permission. This is plain common courtesy.

-Don’t provide solutions to clues, especially on the community sites. The person who hides the box put a lot of effort into not only hiding the box but also writing the clue. It also ruins it for those who love the challenge of figuring out the clue.

-Do not plant letterboxes near other people’s existing letterboxes without permission. Also, do not use someone else’s letterbox as a starting point in your clue for your own box without permission. This is called poaching. Not only is it lazy, but it can cause environmental problems with more traffic looking for the boxes.

-Don’t put letterboxes in stone walls or other places where people could destroy existing structures. And yes, there are some people who don’t follow the Leave No Trace guideline.

-When placing a letterbox be sure to follow the rules of the property where you are placing the letterbox. Whether it is private or public property, federal or state lands be sure to know what is allowed.

-Don’t put anything in the box, don’t move the box to another location, or tamper with the box in anyway. Also be sure to rehide the box in a way that it stays protected.

These are some of the ways you can respect not only letterboxing but the environment. For more ways, click here.

Letterboxing with Dogs

Letterboxing with dogs has many benefits such as protection against bad people that otherwise might do you harm or just for companionship when nobody else is available to letterbox with you. When you’re letterboxing with your dog (or if you have another type of pet that can walk or hike with you) if you follow basic guidelines that you would whenever you are out walking or hiking with them then you will be fine. A few basics are keeping them on a leash, unless area is a leash-free area. You don’t want your dog to dig in the area, run around in areas off limits, or bother others in any way. Make sure you pick up after your dog. Be sure that your dog will not harm another person, so if seeing lots of people in an area will cause them to growl or snip at someone, it’s best to keep them home. And of course, if the area doesn’t allow pets, then leave them home.

Conclusion

Mostly everything we’ve talked about are things that you should consider anytime you are venturing somewhere new. Always be prepared by researching the area you are going to travel. Know what you will need with you to keep you safe and comfortable. Always follow Leave No Trace. Of course, some things apply to only letterboxing, but it really comes down to being prepared, using common sense and being respectful of others and the land. If you follow basic guidelines whenever you are traveling, you will have an enjoyable, fun trip filled with memories!

We hope to help people not only plan their adventures but keep them safe with knowledge and tips we have learned in our experiences and research. If letterboxing sounds like something you would like to do you can find lots of information on these websites: Atlas Quest or Letterboxing North America. We hope to encourage people to find their adventures and go have fun!

The post Trail & Treasure: Letterboxing Guidelines appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

If you love the idea of exploring the great outdoors, deciphering clues, and finding hidden treasures, then letterboxing might be the perfect hobby for you. This unique activity combines elements of orienteering, art, and puzzle-solving to create an engaging adventure for all ages.

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.

What is Letterboxing?

Letterboxing is an outdoor recreational activity that involves searching for hidden containers, known as “letterboxes,” by following clues and using navigational skills. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly accessible places (like parks) and distribute clues to finding the box in printed catalogs, on one of several websites, or by word of mouth. Individual letterboxes contain a notebook and a rubber stamp, preferably hand carved or custom made. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox’s stamp in their personal notebook and leave an impression of their personal signature stamp on the letterbox’s visitors’ book or logbook as proof of having found the box and letting other letterboxers know who has visited. Some of the notebooks in the letterbox also have room to write a brief note, like the date you were there and where you’re from. Many letterboxers keep careful track of their find count.

This activity dates back to the mid-19th century in England, where it originated in Dartmoor National Park. Since then, letterboxing has gained popularity worldwide, with thousands of boxes hidden across various landscapes, from forests and parks to urban areas. Letterboxes are not always found outside though. Some have been found in museums, bookstores, coffee shops, etc. Most letterboxes are a single find someone left for you, but I have heard of people finding a whole group that as you find one it leads you to the next one, like a letterbox hike.

How Does Letterboxing Work?

Your first step is to gather the supplies you will need when you find a box. At minimum, you will need a small notebook, ink pad, rubber stamp (you’ll want your own unique stamp) to mark your finds and a pen to sign logbooks. You also have the choice of not putting anything on the logbook and just enjoy finding it without telling others.

Next you need to find clues to find where boxes are hidden. You can start your search for clues on letterboxing websites, forums or local guidebooks. Some clues are really straightforward, while others require riddle solving or using map coordinates or a combination of both.

Now you’re ready to start the hunt.  Follow the clues to locate the hidden letterbox. Some may be tucked away under rocks, inside hollow trees, or cleverly disguised in everyday objects. If you need to reach into a hole or somewhere similar, make sure you test the area with a stick or something to make sure there aren’t any unwanted animals in there. It’s probably a good idea to have gloves with you when reaching for the box so you don’t get cut or bit.

 Once you find the box, use the stamp inside the letterbox to mark your personal journal. Leave your personal stamp or signature in the logbook to document your visit. If there’s room it’s nice to leave a little note even just the date you found it.

The last step is important for fellow letterboxers. Make sure to rehide the box.  Ensure that the letterbox is properly concealed before leaving so that future seekers can enjoy the adventure. If the box is hidden outdoors, make sure it is properly sealed to keep it dry and protected from the elements. Keep in mind that these boxes are hidden for a reason, so you don’t want people to see you when you are pulling the box out and stamping the logbook.

What do I need to Letterbox?

To start finding boxes, all you need is a clue such as those provided on Atlas Quest or North America Letterboxing.  It’s also recommended that you have a signature stamp, a logbook, an ink pad, and something to write with. The signature stamp is what you’ll stamp into the logbook you find in the letterbox. Many letterboxes contain ink pads, but you should always bring your own in case there isn’t one and even if it does have one, the ink pad in the box could be frozen solid, dried up, and otherwise incapacitated. You might even want to bring several small ink pads with varying colors. Having something to write with is nice so you can write in the logbook the date and perhaps a comment about the weather or experiences in finding the box. And you’ll want your own, personal logbook so you can record all your finds with the stamp found in the letterbox.

Many boxes require a compass to find, so a compass should become part of your regular letterboxing kit. They’re cheap and lightweight, and don’t take much room. You’ll find gloves invaluable for those times when you need to reach your hand into deep, dark holes that letterboxes are so frequently found in. Take into account where you will be traveling to find the box and you consider items that will help you stay safe and comfortable. Think of it as packing for a daytrip. I always advise taking water with you if you’re going to be outdoors. Consider how long it may take to find the box; you may want to bring some snacks. Also recommended are sunglasses, hat, flashlight, travel first aid kit and don’t forget your cellphone and camera.

What is a Signature Stamp?

A signature stamp is a unique stamp that represents yourself in some manner and can be stamped into logbooks you find to show you’ve been there. You can use a store-bought stamp, but it’s more fun to create your own. No artistic talent necessary! Carving a stamp is surprisingly quick and easy to do with the right guidance and tools. If you’re too eager to get out and start finding letterboxes before carving a signature stamp, you can use your thumbprint. Many experienced letterboxers who forget to bring their signature stamp have been known to use this method as well! This link will take you to one stamp making tutorial. I’m sure there are more out there.

Do I need a Trail Name?

As you explore the websites you will see that many people have trail names. Trail names are optional, though a growing number of letterboxers are adopting them. Part of it is just for fun, though others have made the argument that for personal safety and security, it’s best not to be too loose with your real name. If you choose to go with a trail name, though, consider that it might follow you around for a long, long time to come. Don’t select one you may regret later. Even if you do decide to change your trail name, it will still be in your personal information so that people can still relate you to someone that have previously connected to.

What Type of Logbook Should I Use?

New letterboxers always have lots of questions about logbooks. What is the best type?  What should go in them? The answer is make it whatever you want it to be. Every letterboxer has their own way of doing logbooks. Some people stamp finds onto index cards that can be sorted and easily carried. Others create diary-like journals where they paste in pictures of the hike or the clue itself along with information about the date and time, who they hiked with, or any other notes they care to take. For others, you may just want a list of where you were, so just put the stamp and date when you found box. You can be as creative as you want. Keep in mind whatever you use should be white and unlined so that the stamp image is clear and concise.

You can use index cards or a small notebook to get the stamp image and other information you want then when you get home transfer these to a photo album or scrapbook and add pictures of the area and any other information you want to remember. This saves you from carrying a large album with you. You can always keep the album in your car in case you run into another letterboxer and want to share information or show off all your finds!

Where can I acquire letterboxing supplies?

Rubber stamp stores have many of the supplies letterboxers will need—especially the ink pads. Carving supplies can be more challenging. Arts and crafts stores such as Michael’s carry lots of useful supplies. Be aware that the carving blocks and carving tools are not located in the stamp aisle. Most likely, you’ll find carving materials in the same area where you’ll find stencils and calligraphy items. You can also try Amazon or Stampeaz for supplies. You might want to check TheStampmaker.com where you can design your stamps on their site. I haven’t used this, but it looks pretty easy.

Why Try Letterboxing?

If you love exploring new places and are looking for a new adventure then letterboxing may be just what you’re looking for. It takes you beautiful, off the beaten path places you may have never found otherwise. It’s a fun activity for families or a group of friends. It also an adventure for a solo explorer with a reward of finding the box. Joining the letterboxing community brings a sense of camaraderie with others who love adventure.

Are there Rules for Letterboxing?

There are not official legal rules, but there are some basic guidelines that should be followed to not only keep you and others safe but to keep it fun for others. I’ll do a detailed blog on this subject, but here is a quick overview of these guidelines:

Leave No Trace– This rule applies to anytime you are out exploring. Basically, it is leaving things as you found them, don’t take or move anything from the area, take your trash with you, etc.

Safety– For those hiding the letterboxes don’t hide them in a dangerous spot, like the edge of a cliff. You can put them in difficult places, like half way up a cliff under a rock, but be sure you explain in your clues the level of difficulty so people can determine if they are able to get to it. As a person seeking the letterbox, make sure to read the clue carefully and determine if you have the ability to get the box. Also, keep in mind that you will most likely be in the wilderness looking for clues and you may run into wildlife, there will be things like ticks, etc. Do your research for the area and be prepared for what you may encounter while looking for the box.

Another part of safety is protecting your identity. Don’t put a lot of information about yourself in the logbook. Omit your address and phone number. Unfortunately, our world now requires us to be vigilant in our safety in every aspect of our lives.

Security– Keep in mind that you probably will run into other people along the way while you’re looking for your letterbox and very few, if any, of them will be letterboxing. You need to think about what it would look like to others if you’re digging around and looking a little suspicious. They may become uneasy and call for help. So, when you get to the area where the box is, do your best not to alarm people. If you’re lucky no one will be around, but if they are then try ways to not make it obvious what you’re doing. For instance, drop your water bottle near the box and then squat to get your bottle and try to get the box. Once you have the box, take it to an area where no one is and then pull out the logbook and do your thing.

Be respectful. As a person who is putting out the box, don’t put it on private property, a restricted area or a place where people could be harmed getting to it. If you are looking for the boxes, make sure you don’t damage the box and put it back where you found it. Using common sense and common courtesy will help everyone.

Pets or more specifically dogs, can be of great use not only for protection, but they are great company. That being said, be sure to follow the leave no trace guidelines with them and take precautions to keep them safe.

For a more detailed explanation of letterboxing guidelines, read our blog here.

Let the Journey Begin

To begin your letterboxing journey, visit websites such as Atlas Quest or Letterboxing North America to find nearby boxes and connect with the community. One of the great things about this hobby is that you don’t have to join the community website to find where boxes are hidden. Whether you embark on a solo adventure or make it a group outing, letterboxing offers an exciting way to engage with nature, exercise your problem-solving skills, and uncover hidden treasures along the way. It has also become a big community where you can chat with other letterboxers and get ideas on either or both of these websites. You can make this as simple or very artistic as you want and as personal or sharable that you want. If you just want to find the box and move on that’s fine or you can make an elaborate scrapbook or other way of saving memories of the boxes you find. You can find the boxes and keep it to yourself, or you can share it with the communities. To me, this makes it a great hobby because you can make what you want out of the experience.

Please remember that whenever you travel, even if near your home, that you should take precautions for the unexpected. Always have plenty of water and snacks with you. Always tell someone where you are planning to go and when you’ll return. We hope to give you information to help you be prepared for any trip you are planning with the knowledge and tips we’ve obtained through our travels. Letterboxing can be tremendously fun and create lots of memories. So, grab your stamp and start your adventure—your next great discovery is just a clue away!

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