Geocaching Software

If you're a GPS user and get tired of hand-entering coordinates into your GPS receiver, downloading geocache information directly to your device is an enjoyable alternative, called "paperless geocaching". The Geocaching.com site has data formats available to allow you to download geocaches and other waypoints for use with the various applications listed below.

There are also areas of the site where you can download KML files for Google Earth, such as browsing caches and Travel Bugs.

With the exception of some lower-end GPS units, you can usually purchase an interface cable and download coordinates directly to your GPS unit. Even if you don't download to your GPS unit you can use GPX files to help manage the geocaches you have found or plan to look for in the future. And if you have a GPS-enabled phone, consider using Trimble's Geocache Navigator or Groundspeak's Geocaching iPhone Application for real-time searches.

Groundspeak License Agreement

In order to download geocaching data from the web site, you must first agree to Groundspeak's license.

Before you can read and agree to the license agreement, you need to first log in to the web site.

View the Groundspeak License Agreement

Waypoint File Formats

• LOC - The original download format for the search results page on Geocaching.com. This contains only the most basic data.
• GPX (GPS eXchange Format) - Available for Pocket Queries, a Premium Member feature on the web site. The GPX file format has specific geocaching information that can be used by supporting applications.
• KML - Although originally used for Google Earth (formerly Keyhole - KML stands for Keyhole Modeling Language), KML is increasingly being used to read and display map data. Geocaching.com uses this format to view caches and to view the movements of trackable items.

GPS Devices Supporting GPX files

Some devices support and read Geocaching GPX files directly, like the Magellan Triton and Garmin Colorado.

Windows Applications

• ClayJar Watcher (GPX) - Geocaching Specific - Freeware application that helps you manage your Pocket Query GPX files
• EasyGPS (GPX/LOC) - A free application for managing both LOC and GPX file types
• Google Earth (GPX/KML) - In addition to viewing caches via Network KML, Google Earth can overlay the travels of trackable items on geocaching.com. Google Earth also uses GPS Babel to allow Premium Members the ability to drag a Pocket Query GPX file on to the application to overlay geocaches.
• GPX Spinner (GPX) - Geocaching Specific - Shareware application that can convert GPX files to iSilo and Plucker format.
• GPSBabel (GPX/LOC/KML) - A free console-based application for converting LOC and GPX to various other formats. Source code available.
• Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK) (GPX/LOC) - All in one application that allows you to manage GPX/LOC files, upload to your GPS, and convert to various other formats. Uses GPSBabel as the back end.
• MapSend Lite (GPX/LOC) is a free application from Magellan that now has built-in geocaching functionality.

Mac Applications

• Google Earth (GPX/KML) - In addition to viewing caches via Network KML, Google Earth can overlay the travels of trackable items on geocaching.com. Google Earth also uses GPS Babel to allow Premium Members the ability to drag a Pocket Query GPX file on to the application to overlay geocaches.
• GPSBabel (GPS/LOC/KML) - A free console-based application for converting LOC and GPX to various other formats. Source code available.
• GPS Connect for Mac OS X (GPX) - Garmin Specific application that works with GPX.
• MacCaching GeoCache Manager (GPX/LOC) - A geocache manager for Mac OS X.

Geocaching Mobile

Trimble's Geocache Navigator and Groundspeak's Geocaching iPhone Application retrieve data directly from Geocaching.com's database for real-time searches.

Applications for Handhelds

• GPXView (GPX) - Donateware application for managing GPX files on PocketPC 2002 or later.
• Cetus GPS (LOC) - Free PalmOS application that interfaces with your GPS through a serial port (or connected GPS). It can read waypoint files in LOC format.
• iSilo - Document reader for Palm OS^®, Pocket PC, Windows^®, and Windows^® CE Handheld devices. GPX Spinner can "spin" GPX files into this file format.
• Plucker - Alternate web viewer that works with Palm OS^® based handheld devices. GPX Spinner can "spin" GPX files into this file format.
• CacheBerry - CacheBerry (GPX) – Geocaching Specific - BlackBerry Shareware: View, search & manage Pocket Queries/GPX files.

Accessing Geocache Information

Once you agree to the license you are be able to click to download waypoints from the search pages and the waypoint details on the web site. In addition as a Premium Member you can generate Pocket Queries of geocache listings to put on your GPS devices and handheld applications.