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The policy allows geocaching in any state park or recreation area with a $35 use permit approved by the park manager. The policy also encourages virtual caching of trail markers and other natural features in the park by waiving the fee. Link >>

I just ran across this lovely case of “your tax dollars at work”. 

Evidently, here in MI if you want to place a geocache in a state park, you must get approval (normal), but then also pay $35 and the cache can only stay in place for four months.  There also appears to be a limit on the number of caches a given administrative unit can have active at one time - and that unit may cover several counties.

There’s more discussion in the Groundspeak Forums, where a poster relates a story of a park supervisor using Geocaching.com to find caches, and then remove them.

So not only is the $24 dollar parking permit not enough…now we’re actively trying to stop the public from from visiting publically held and managed property.

I see a trend here, because this sort of thing also happens in the four-wheeling community.  The trend is “look at our pretty woods, but don’t touch.”

I am encouraged by seeing that the Michigan Geocaching Organization is working with the state to work out a better arrangement for the use of our land.

Comments are closed, but you can read the comments other people left.

1. Joel Leo on June 10, 2005

   My brother and I are into Geocaching. ex. http://corvinedesign.com/gtest2.php?topic=Geocaching
   And for us to have to pay to hide one for 4 months is just crazy.  The one thing we do like to do it hide them in areas near the city where people dont often know that a pond or trail exists.  But why limit the exposure to the parks by limiting its appeal and reach?

2. Dave J. on June 10, 2005

   Hey, virtual caches are free?  That’s not so bad.  Can’t remove them anyway, so they are safe.

3. Mean Dean on June 11, 2005

   Once again we see how some do-gooders think they’ll raise additional revenue by raising taxes - when in reality people will just geocache elsewhere.

   Worse, the ‘see how pretty our pristine woods’ has proven disastrous in states such as California as unmanaged undergrowth creates fire hazards that in fact greater empiril the very woods that everyone is so desperately trying to protect (not to mention adjacent properties).

4. Michael Boyink (Author) on June 11, 2005

   Heh…reading the groundspeak forums again…in Ohio the DNR came to the gecachers *asking* that caches be placed there.

   It’s unfortunate…but I’m seeing it the Jeeping community as well…that out of state places to enjoy the out of doors are becoming more attractive due to issues like this.

   Ironic when you think Michigan has pitched itself as a outdoors destination for so many years..“Winter Water Wonderland” indeed…

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