Traditional geocaching gave birth to GeoCaching – an active urban game of the Encounter project. The game is quite similar to geocaching but has time limitations and hints.

Geocaches vary in size, difficulty, and location. Simple caches that are placed near a roadside are often called "drive-bys", "park 'n grabs" (PNGs), or "cache and dash". Geocaches may also be complex, involving lengthy searches, significant travel, or use of specialist equipment such as SCUBA diving, kayaking, or abseiling. Different geocaching websites list different variations per their own policies.

Container sizes range from "nanos", particularly magnetic nanos, which can be smaller than the tip of a finger and have only enough room to store the log sheet, to 20-liter (5 gallon) buckets or even larger containers, such as entire trucks.[2] The most common cache containers in rural areas are lunch-box-sized plastic storage containers or surplus military ammunition cans. Ammo cans are considered the gold standard of containers because they are very sturdy, waterproof, animal- and fire-resistant, relatively cheap, and have plenty of room for trade items. Smaller containers are more common in urban areas because they can be more easily hidden.

Geocache Locations
Locations Easy Moderate Difficult
Washington Traillinks ID #6055746
City of Snoqualmie Centennial Trail
Traillinks ID #6055771
Issaquah-Preston Trail
Traillinks ID #6397038
Whitehorse Trail
New York City Traillinks ID #9446427
Flatbush Avenue Greenway
Traillinks ID #9890951
Jones Beach Boardwalk
Traillinks ID #8661059
EPCAL ALternative Transportaion Path
Alaska Traillinks ID #6547134
Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail
Traillinks ID #6547132
Campbell Creek Greenbelt
Traillinks ID #6031609
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail