Idaho Power’s recreation parks from Hells Canyon to Hagerman offer fishing, picnicking, camping, boating and birdwatching.

And, geocaching. Really. It’s one more outdoors adventure.

I got word this week that the geocache program is still active and it’s an incentive to do more exploring across Southwest Idaho.

A lot of people don’t know about all of the utility company’s recreation parks and sites, and the geocaching program is a way for them to discover new camping and fishing places.

Geocaching is an outdoor adventure game played by using the global positioning system (GPS). Participants go on an outdoor treasure hunt searching for hidden containers, called geocaches, and then share their experiences. Caches are typically waterproof containers of varying sizes and shapes, holding miscellaneous items such as logbooks and trinkets.

Idaho Power’s parks, which are open year-round, make it easy to pursue the activity. The day-use parks have picnic areas and heated restrooms. Its campgrounds have electrical hookups for RVs and heated restrooms and shower facilities. One of the closest picnic sites is at Swan Falls Dam and makes a good afternoon drive. A couple of parks in the Hagerman area make good day trips with side outings to hot springs and lunch or dinner in Hagerman.

“Usually about this time, once the water and other seasonal maintenance is done at the campgrounds, I ask our parks guys to check on them (the geocaches) and make sure the caches are intact,” said Brad Bowlin, Idaho Power communications specialist.

The public can help, too. If visitors find one damaged, they can email the company at questions@idahopower.com and mention geocache in the subject line.

Here’s how to get started. Go to idahopower.com and click on Our Community and Environment and then Recreation. Then click on Geocaching and start your adventure.

Here are recreation sites that have geocaches: Swan Falls Park and Recreation Area near Kuna; Scout and North parks at C.J. Strike Dam near Grand View; Bliss Reservoir Park near Bliss; Malad River Park and Lower Salmon Falls Park near Hagerman; and Woodhead Park, McCormick Park and Copperfield Park in the Hells Canyon area.

Good luck on the hunt for geocaches.