It’s Back: The Uncharted Lancaster Treasure Hunt Returns May 2

Surprise!! The Uncharted Lancaster Treasure Hunt is back.

I am excited to announce a special one-day event on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the Stevens & Smith Center Grand Opening Weekend and its Community Block Party for History. As part of the fun, I’ll be giving away a total of $1,000 in cash prizes.

Here is the best part: this year’s hunt is completely free to play.

The event will run from noon to 5 p.m. on May 2, with $1,000 in cash prizes up for grabs. The top five teams will earn a share of the prize money, with payouts of $400 for first place, $250 for second, $175 for third, $100 for fourth, and $75 for fifth. In addition to the cash prizes, teams finishing sixth through tenth place will receive an autographed copy of one of my Uncharted Lancaster books: Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure or Field Guide to the Strange, Storied, and Hidden Places of Lancaster County. All players who complete the treasure hunt will get an Uncharted Lancaster button (while supplies last).

This year’s format will be a little different from previous Uncharted Lancaster treasure hunts. One change is that victory will not necessarily go to the first team to finish. Instead, teams will be judged on speed and accuracy, with the best times and fewest errors rising to the top. Players should be prepared for a 1.6-mile trek as they explore downtown Lancaster on foot in a fast-paced adventure that will likely take most teams about 90 minutes to complete.

The hunt begins at the Uncharted Lancaster booth, located at 13–15 East Vine Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, during the Community Block Party for History. In a way, the first challenge is finding me. Just look for the trademark fedora.

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I hope you’re as excited to play as I am to put this treasure-hunting sprint together!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a “Team Selfie” required?
Strike a pose! Before you head out on your adventure, the app will prompt you to take a quick photo of your entire crew. This serves as your official “check-in” and helps prevent any leaderboard shenanigans. Plus, it’s a great way to kick off the hunt and document your team’s starting point!

How are points calculated?
Each challenge starts at a maximum of 1,000 points. To reward the fastest hunters, we use a point decay system. For every minute that passes, the potential reward decreases by 10 points. The faster you solve, the more you earn!

When do the timers start?
Entering your start code will immediately begin your team’s overall treasure hunt timer. The timer for the first checkpoint also begins at that moment. After that, each new checkpoint timer starts only when your team taps to open that checkpoint.

Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
Yes. Precision is key! Every incorrect guess results in a 25-point penalty. Read the clues carefully before you submit!

Can we use hints?
If you’re truly stumped, hints are available for all challenges. However, using a hint will deduct 200 points from that challenge’s total.

How many teams can participate?
A maximum of 400 teams may participate in the Downtown History Treasure Hunt due to the consumable materials required to complete this exciting game of skill.

What is “Geofencing” and how does it work?
Most challenges are locked until you are physically near the location. You generally need to be within a few hundred feet of the landmark to “trigger” the question. If a challenge hasn’t unlocked, try moving closer to the heart of the site.

How is the $1,000 in prize money broken down?
The top five teams will earn a share of the prize money, with payouts of $400 for first place, $250 for second, $175 for third, $100 for fourth, and $75 for fifth.

How are ties broken?
In the event of a tie, the team with the fastest overall completion time will place higher.

What do teams in 6th through 10th place win?
Teams finishing in 6th through 10th place will receive an autographed copy of one of Adam Zurn’s Uncharted Lancaster books: Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure or Field Guide to the Strange, Storied, and Hidden Places of Lancaster County.

What do all players receive for completing the treasure hunt?
All players who complete the treasure hunt will receive an Uncharted Lancaster button, while supplies last.

Do I need to change my phone settings?
Yes. Because the game relies on your physical location, you must enable Location Services (GPS) for the app. When prompted, select “Allow while using the app” to ensure the geofenced challenges unlock correctly as you walk.

Does the app use a lot of battery or data?
Using GPS and mobile data can be demanding. We highly recommend: 1. Starting with a 100% charge. 2. Bringing a portable power bank if you have one. 3. Ensuring Roaming Data is turned on so you stay connected.

What if my phone dies or the app crashes?
Don’t panic! Your progress is saved to your team account, not just your device. If the Captain’s phone dies, simply open the app on a teammate’s device and log in using the Captain’s email or phone number to resume exactly where you left off.

Can my friends join on their own phones?
To keep the leaderboard fair, we require that each team uses only one device to submit answers. While teammates should definitely help spot clues and solve puzzles, your team must travel together and log all progress through a single “active” device.

Do I need to enter buildings or traffic to find clues?
Safety first! All clues are designed to be visible from public spaces. 1. Never enter restricted areas or private property unless specifically directed. 2. Never step into the street to get a better look at a clue. 3. Always use designated crosswalks when navigating downtown traffic.

Bring a Writing Utensil
Not required, but having something to write with will make solving some of the challenges easier.

The “One-Minute” Rule
Since you lose 10 points a minute, spending several minutes looking for a “free” answer is better than taking a 200-point hint immediately!

Walk, Don’t Run
Staying observant of your surroundings usually helps you find clues faster than sprinting past them.

Captain Backup
Have your teammates keep their phones off or in power-save mode so they are ready to act as a backup if the primary device runs low on battery.

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Uncharted Lancaster Field Guide

📖 Learn about Lancaster County’s many unique places when you step off the beaten path with Uncharted Lancaster: Field Guide to the Strange, Storied, and Hidden Places of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania by Adam Zurn. This one-of-a-kind 239-page guidebook uncovers 56 fascinating sites, from the county’s very own fountain of youth to the oldest continuously operating short-line railroad in the western hemisphere.

Packed with history, local stories, and GPS locations, this book is your ticket to exploring the mysterious corners of Lancaster like never before. Whether you’re a lifelong local, a history buff, or just looking for a unique adventure, this field guide will spark your curiosity and send you exploring. Start your adventure here.