Cache Placement Guidelines

For the good of the caching community and those seeking your cache, consider the following prior to placing a cache.

General

Read the Terms of Use for Opencaching North America.
Respect all local laws and property rights.
Seek permission to place the cache from the property owner/land manager.
Do not dig, disassemble, or destroy property when placing or seeking a cache.
Do not hide a cache where the location or the container will raise suspicion with people in the area or law enforcement.
Use a clear container when possible and always mark the container as a geocache.

Do not place a cache near:

Keep in mind that your hide may become someone's first geocache find.

Consider the location prior to placing and listing the cache.

Would you want to bring a friend to this spot?
Is this spot appropriate for the additional traffic (people & vehicles) that this cache could potentially bring to the area.

Consider the container you intend to use.

Is it waterproof or will the contents, including paper log, get wet?
Will the container be able to withstand being exposed to the elements for an extended period of time? Some examples of poor containers are:
- Plastic bags used as the actual cache, because it breaks down quickly. (Inside a sturdy container they are great!)
- Glass jars, because they can shatter and injure someone.
- Candy tins, because they rust very quickly.
- Ammo cans that still bear military markings, because they look dangerous to the average person.

Perform regular cache maintenance

Periodically check the container, contents, and logbook. Replace or repair items as necessary.
If the area is developing 'geo-trails' from people seeking the cache, consider moving or archiving the cache.

A site that is attempting to capture caching policies of land managers all over the U.S. GeocachingPolicy