GeoWoodstock 2025 held in local area
May 24—MORGANTOWN — This weekend, Morgantown has transformed into a hub for geocachers as the city hosts GeoWoodstock, the largest "treasure hunting " event in North America.
The event is expected to draw thousands of visitors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and approximately nine countries, offering a boost to local businesses and showcasing the strength of the community in geocaching.
GeoWoodstock, which rotates locations each year, is the highlight for many in the geocaching world.
This year's gathering kicked off with pre-event activities Thursday at Coopers Rock State Forest, with the main event being held today at Mylan Park. The weekend's festivities will be wrap up Sunday at Pricketts Fort State Park in Fairmont.
"For those unfamiliar with geocaching, it's essentially an outdoor treasure hunt using GPS coordinates, " said Jim Whittaker, a long-time participant and volunteer.
"People hide containers, called caches, and post their locations online. Others then try to find them, sign a logbook, and put it back for the next person to discover. It is a great way to explore the outdoors—whether you are a family with young kids, or an empty nester like me and my wife."
Whittaker emphasized the role of community and volunteerism in making the event possible.
"There are so many people involved in putting this together. It was a collective effort, and would not have happened without people showing up."
The event is not just a celebration for geocaching enthusiasts, but a way to help bring attention to the local community.
The Visit Mountaineer Country Convention & Visitors Bureau, which covers Monongalia, Preston and Taylor counties, partnered with event organizers to help bring GeoWoodstock to north-central West Virginia.
"We are all about bringing tourism to our community, " CVB representative Tami Wood said. "This event will have a direct economic impact across all three counties. Local restaurants, hotels, shops—they are all going to benefit."
The CVB also is sponsoring the "Country Roads Challenge, " a special activity that sends geocachers on a trail of participating local businesses.
Those who complete the challenge earn a commemorative coin, which is a prized item for avid geocachers, as well as discounts to the participating businesses.
"This kind of event puts us on the map, " Wood added. "It's not just about the fun and adventure, it is about people discovering what this area has to offer."
GeoWoodstock includes a variety of difficulty levels, from simple urban "hides " to rugged mountain searches. Participants can use either traditional handheld GPS devices or smartphone apps to locate caches.
For many, it is more than just a hobby.
"It's about community, " Whittaker said. "We have folks who have been to every single GeoWoodstock since it started. People form lifelong friendships through this."
As Morgantown welcomed geocachers from all over, GeoWoodstock proved to be a testament to the strength of a community's passion for a pastime. Even Thursday's rain during the kickoff event didn't dampen the enthusiasm, as attendees showed up in full force and ready to explore.
Whittaker states with appreciation, "Thanks to all who have been a part of it. Whether you are putting the event on or attending, it would not be what it is if we did not show up."
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