The hunt is on at Beltzville State Park and 24 other state parks across the commonwealth.

The park in Towamensing Township is part of a new Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Resources geocaching scavenger hunt that celebrates the 250th birthday of America and encourages folks to explore the outdoors as they learn more about history.

Through the America250PA GeoTrail, participants use a GPS device to find hidden containers, which are called geocaches or caches, at state parks.

Beltzville’s cache focuses on The Walking Purchase, an agreement between colonists and local indigenous tribes.

“The actual route of The Walking Purchase ran a few miles to the west of the Sawmill Trail, so it’s a pretty cool geocache for the trail,” said Rob Bergstresser, naturalist at Beltzville State Park.

Geocachers will need to walk about a half-mile to find the hidden cache.

“Quite a few state parks are running these caches, and if you find all of them, you get a special limited-edition completion coin,” Bergstresser said.

Geocaches hidden at two dozen other parks, including Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center near Nazareth, also reveal stories of Pennsylvanian’s past. Jacobsburg’s cache focuses on colonial government, while others tell of elk, soldiers at war, oil and George Washington’s raft.

“Geocaching is a worldwide scavenger hunt, basically, with thousands of caches all over the world, varying in difficulty,” Bergstresser noted.

Participants use Geocaching.com, or its app, to help guide them to the general vicinity of caches. The site and app are free; however, a fee is required to access “premium” features.

“It’s amazing how many geocaches are all around us, in places we never knew harbored hidden geocaches,” Bergstresser said. “The best part is, it gets people outside, into some great environments and it’s great exercise, too.”

Bergstresser is no stranger to geocaching. He holds “Introduction to Geocaching” programs at Beltzville each year, and announces them on the park’s Calendar of Events page and Facebook page.

DCNR secretary Cindy Adams Dunn unveiled details of the GeoTrail from Codorus State Park last week.

“America’s story lives on Pennsylvania’s land, and DCNR has long conserved the parks, forests and historic landscapes where that story was written,” Dunn said. “Through initiatives like the DCNR America250PA GeoTrail, we are creating new opportunities for Pennsylvanians to connect with the places that shaped our nation.

“And as we honor the past, we are investing in the future to ensure these lands remain protected and accessible for generations to come.”

Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA, was on hand for the announcement.

“Pennsylvania’s story lives in its landscapes — in the places where people worked, played and helped shape the nation,” she said. “The DCNR America250PA GeoTrail invites people to explore our state parks in a new way, connecting history and the outdoors through discovery and hands-on experience. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, this initiative helps bring our shared history to life and helps ensure that every corner of Pennsylvania has a place in this milestone.”

The DCNR America250PA GeoTrail will run through March 2028. For details on how to participate, including coordinates, rules, and park information, visit the DCNR America250PA GeoTrail webpage.