More than 5,500 geocachers from all over the world will travel to Morgantown, Fairmont and surrounding areas for GeoWoodstock — what is being called the largest geocaching event ever in the United States — from Thursday (May 22) to Sunday (May 25).
Large crowds and traffic congestion should also be expected at Mylan Park, the Mountainlair, Coopers Rock State Park, Mason-Dixon Park, Mylan Park, Pricketts Fort State Park, The Wharf, University Town Centre, Mon River Trail System and the Cheat Lake Trail.
“This is a monumental weekend for geocaching in the United States, and we’re so excited to showcase the wild and wonderful nature of West Virginia to attendees from all around the world,” said Mark Webb, event host and senior marketing strategist with WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing.
“They will have an opportunity to see the best of North Central West Virginia, from our parks to our trails to our various local businesses and Appalachian culture.”
Geocaching is like a real-world treasure hunt. People hide small containers, called caches, and share the GPS coordinates online. Then others use a phone or GPS to go find them, sign a log inside, and maybe trade small items. The concept has been around for decades and is celebrating its 25th year in 2025.
The main event will be held at Mylan Park on Saturday (May 24). For those interested in learning more about geocaching, there will be an introductory presentation at noon inside the Hazel and J.W. Ruby Community Center Event Complex.
Overall, geocaching remains a vibrant global activity, with more than 3.3 million active geocaches hidden across 191 countries, including all seven continents — even Antarctica.
In total, GeoWoodstock is estimated to bring in nearly $3 million of revenue to the area.
“Over Memorial Day weekend, you may see more people in parks and trails, traversing with their phones looking for a number of geocaches in the area. We hope our local residents welcome them into our community as they search for some of the thousands of geocaches in the area,” Webb said.
Note that visitors will likely pull up to a location, visit for a few moments to find the cache, and then move to the next location — which may look suspicious. Businesses have been notified of nearby geocachers to help alleviate this concern. As part of the event, geocachers will place hang tags in their cars to let locals know they are geocaching.
GeoWoodstock XXI was made possible in part by the Monongalia County Tourism Advancement Fund, courtesy of the Monongalia County Commission and the Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with a number of local and state sponsors and additional support from geocachers across the world.