TRAILS AND TREASURES
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt where you use GPS to find hidden containers, sign the logbook, and maybe swap a trinket. It’s a fun way to explore the Bay of Quinte—and we’ve added five new BoQ geocaches to the mix of plenty already hidden across the region.
ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE BoQ FIVE!
Hidden across the region—one hidden in each of our five partner communities—the BoQ geocaches are just waiting to be found!
1. PROCTOR PARK CONSERVATION AREA
Upon arriving you’ll be greeted by Proctor House Museum, a historic house that’s been restored to its mid-1800s appearance. Take the trails behind the house to explore the 37-hectare conservation area, which features a creek, cedar lowlands, and a maple/beech hardwood forest.
2. SAGER CONSERVATION AREA
Get a panoramic view of the region from one of the highest points you can access: a 30-foot-tall lookout tower that sits atop a drumlin that was formed by glaciers. We promise it’s worth the climb to the top!
H.R. Frink Conservation Area
Get a panoramic view of the region from one of the highest points you can access: a 30-foot-tall lookout tower that sits atop a drumlin that was formed by glaciers. We promise it’s worth the climb to the top!
Mohawk Landing Site
The ancestors of the Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte) arrived here by canoe on May 22, 1784, from Lachine, Quebec, where they were relocated from the banks of the Teyonontatátye River (Mohawk River) of present-day New York State during the American Revolution. This landfall is reenacted here every year on the May long weekend.
Brooks Ferry Landing, Greater Napanee
This off-the-beaten-path waterfront park is located on the south shore of Hay Bay. Free parking, a covered pavilion, shoreline access, and plenty of green space make it a perfect picnic spot.
MEET MIKE HICKS
Q&A With A Local Geocacher
How did you get into geocaching?
In 2009, I saw a friend post about geocaching on Facebook and thought it sounded fun. This was before cellphones could be used for geocaching, so I bought a Garmin GPS at Future Shop and tried searching for a local cache. After hours of searching without success, I gave up, returned the GPS, and forgot about it for a year. In August 2010, I decided to try again and found my first cache. A month later, I hit 100. Suffice to say, I was hooked. On New Year’s Day 2025, I found my 11,000th geocache.
What’s the most exciting thing you’ve found?
Friends! Geocaching is a community-driven game and without the contributions of others always hiding new geocaches, I would have found them all years ago. There is also the social aspect of the game: events are hosted and attended by like-minded people. I have made so many good friends because of geocaching.
What’s your favourite place to geocache in the region?
Everywhere that I’ve never been: that’s the biggest draw of geocaching for me. You could live in Belleville your entire life, and I guarantee geocaching will take you somewhere new. Geocaches are hidden by locals, and locals know best what interesting locations to show each other.
What are some recommended apps to use?
I use the free c:geo app most of the time on my Android phone. It has more advanced features for those familiar with the game. If I plan to go into dense woods or an area outside cell service, I will load my handheld Garmin GPS—I find it much more accurate. If you’re just starting out, I recommend the official free Geocaching branded app, since it’s user-friendly and good for those new to the game. For more advanced features, the paid app Cachly is also very popular.
What do you need to go geocaching?
MANDITORY:
- Handheld GPS or smartphone loaded with an appropriate geocaching app
- A pen or pencil to sign the logbook inside
OPTIONAL:
- Gear: a flashlight, first aid kit, bug spray, snacks, water, waders, or even a ladder—anything that will make your geocaching experience more comfortable
- Swag or trinkets for trading: if you take something from a geocache box, leave something of equal or higher value
- Trackables/geocoins: these are trade items that move from cache to cache
Connect with Mike and others on from the Quinte Area Caching Krew on Facebook for local geocaching community and events.
