Treasure Hunting in Walton County: A New Way to Explore Parks, Trails and Hidden Corners

Walton County Parks and Recreation has launched a geocaching program, placing approximately 60 hidden caches throughout county parks and facilities. The result is part outdoor adventure, part scavenger hunt and part invitation to slow down, look closer and explore Walton County in a whole new way.

Geocaching is a worldwide recreational activity where participants use a GPS device or smartphone to locate hidden containers, known as geocaches, at specific coordinates. With more than 3 million active caches around the globe, Walton County has officially joined the adventure.

Think of it as a real-life treasure hunt hiding in plain sight across the trails, green spaces and community spots that make Walton County special.

Getting started is easy. Create a free account at Geocaching.com or download the Geocaching app. No premium membership is required, since all county-maintained caches are available to free users. Search for the username “WaltonCountyParks” to view the full list of caches, coordinates and clues.

Some geocaches are small, waterproof containers with a simple logbook inside where finders can write their username and the date they discovered it. Others are larger containers that hold small gifts and trinkets left behind by previous explorers.

That’s part of what makes geocaching so unique. One visitor might leave a charm, another might trade in a keychain, a sticker or a small toy for the next searcher to discover. The items are usually more sentimental than valuable, but they add some extra fun to the experience. If you take something, the golden rule is simple: leave something of equal or greater value that is legal, family-friendly and never food, which can attract wildlife.

One local cache can even be found at the Walton County Visitor Information Center, located at 25777 US Hwy 331 S, where explorers have been sharing their discoveries and memories. Recent geocachers have praised the stop and the koi fish pond nearby.

“Nice spot! Easy and fun, and it was nice to see the koi fish pond! Thanks!” one visitor wrote.

Another shared, “The Koi are amazing. Kids enjoyed feeding them.”

For some, the stop has even marked the beginning of a brand-new hobby. One first-time geocacher wrote, “This was my first geocache! I took a lovely little charm and put in some Pokémon cards… Thank you so much for this neat experience!” It’s that blend of curiosity, discovery and community that makes geocaching feel a little magical. Each cache tells a story, not just through the logbook, but through the people who found it, the gifts they left behind and the places it encourages others to visit.

Many of Walton County’s caches are located along trails or in areas participants might not normally explore, making the program a fun way to uncover new corners of the county’s parks system. ADA-accessible caches, which can be viewed on geocaching.com, are also available for those who need them, helping make the adventure open to more explorers.

As you search, there are a few trail-friendly habits to keep in mind. Always return the cache to the exact spot where you found it, stay on marked trails and avoid disturbing plants, wildlife or natural features. Geocachers are also known for practicing “Cache In, Trash Out,” a tradition of collecting litter while searching to help keep parks clean for everyone. Some caches may also contain “trackable” items, which are pieces meant to travel from cache to cache. If you find one, log it online and help it continue its journey according to its mission.

Dedicated explorers who find at least half of the 60 caches can even earn a special challenge coin: a little treasure of their own to mark the adventure.

“It’s kind of like a treasure hunting game with adventure, and it gets you out on parks and trails and things of that nature,” said Garrett Willis, assistant recreation coordinator for the Walton County BCC Parks and Recreation Department.

Whether you’re a local, a weekend visitor or a family looking for something different to do outdoors, Walton County’s geocaching program offers a fresh reason get outside and explore.

The treasure is out there, so lace up your shoes and go find it! For more information, to request a hint or to inquire about hiding a cache on county land, visit mywaltonfl.gov or contact Garrett Willis at Garrett.Willis@mywaltonfl.gov.