Letterboxing is a outdoor recreational activity which combines collecting, puzzle-solving, and treasure hunting.
Briefly, letterboxing enthusiasts hide and hunt weatherproof containers in remote or scenic places. Each container holds a guestbook, a rubber stamp and stamp pad. The planter of the letterbox distributes clues to its location; solution of these clues may require a combination of skills such as mapreading, orienteering, and puzzle-solving.
Letterboxers carry their own stamp book and personal stamp when hunting for hidden boxes. Upon finding a letterbox, they will impress their own book using the found stamp, and leave their own stamping or personalization in the letterbox guestbook.
Letterboxing has its roots in Dartmoor, England, in 1854.
More information
More information
Subcategories 1
Related categories 3
Sites 34
US-based portal offering FAQ, links, forums, and a members-only section where clues can be submitted.
An explanation and guide from Rachel Doody.
Community with forums, searchable clues, trip planner, recording of finds, event listings, trackers, tutorials, photo galleries, and chat room.
A personal blog with history, clues, how-to's, and information about carving, book binding, hiking, orienteering and other aspects of letterboxing. Ontario, Canada.
Chuck and Molly's letterboxes in Connecticut.
Official site supports letterboxing in publicly owned state forests. Includes clues and a map of letterbox sites in state forests.
Includes a forum, image gallery, map of the area, contact details, and the history of the activity. UK.
Kathryn writes about letterboxing as a hobby and boxes she has found or placed. Philadelphia, PA, US.
Account first published as "More Dartmoor Letterboxes" by Anne Swinscow in 1986.
Clues to quick and easy letterboxes to find while traveling on Route I-95, from Maine to Florida.
Husband and wife team in Southeastern Michigan, US. Letter boxes found and planted, 2005 - 2008.
Clues for letterboxes located in Kansas.
Includes information and a map, also with catalogue of letterboxes. UK.
Forum with clues and discussion topics. Includes helpful hints on methods and supplies.
Clues, views, and news including boxes from Team Psychokiwi, Judi, Linton, and the Bunny.
A series of interviews conducted by Mark Pepe.
A low tech combination of art, treasure hunt and exploring nature.
Frances Moon with letterboxing exploring, finds and commentary.
Challenging letterbox clues by Randy Hall, the author of The Letterboxing Companion.
Couple from Kensington, Connecticut describe activities in eleven states and the island of Aruba.
Mark and Sue's weblog of letterboxing events in New England.
A letterboxing site from Bob and Sue. Kensington, CT USA.
An online message board/ forum for letterboxing.
Informal group and clues to the boxes they've planted.
Articles including getting started, outdoor ethics, and explanation of cryptic letterboxer codes. Also includes list of boxes found and clues for boxes placed in the northeastern region of the United States.
Abstract of an article by Chris Granstrom, with link to a few references.
A video created to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the introduction of letterboxing in North America. 2013.
Posted to Atlas Obscura by by Kelly Catalfamo.
(December 12, 2017)
A video post explaining and showing how letterboxing works.
(August 04, 2013)
A video post from The Rhode Show.
(September 28, 2012)
A video documentary by Molly Rose.
(July 10, 2012)
Posted to the Toronto Star newspaper by Francine Kopun.
(July 20, 2010)
Introductory article by Ashley Schwellenbach featuring a letterboxer and the founder of Atlas Quest.
(June 17, 2009)
Radio host Linda Wertheimer and Thomas Johnston, an enthusiast in Washington, D.C., find a letterbox near the White House. [audio]
(April 10, 2004)
US-based portal offering FAQ, links, forums, and a members-only section where clues can be submitted.
Includes a forum, image gallery, map of the area, contact details, and the history of the activity. UK.
Kathryn writes about letterboxing as a hobby and boxes she has found or placed. Philadelphia, PA, US.
Articles including getting started, outdoor ethics, and explanation of cryptic letterboxer codes. Also includes list of boxes found and clues for boxes placed in the northeastern region of the United States.
An explanation and guide from Rachel Doody.
A video created to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the introduction of letterboxing in North America. 2013.
A letterboxing site from Bob and Sue. Kensington, CT USA.
Abstract of an article by Chris Granstrom, with link to a few references.
A series of interviews conducted by Mark Pepe.
Includes information and a map, also with catalogue of letterboxes. UK.
Frances Moon with letterboxing exploring, finds and commentary.
A low tech combination of art, treasure hunt and exploring nature.
An online message board/ forum for letterboxing.
Clues, views, and news including boxes from Team Psychokiwi, Judi, Linton, and the Bunny.
A personal blog with history, clues, how-to's, and information about carving, book binding, hiking, orienteering and other aspects of letterboxing. Ontario, Canada.
Husband and wife team in Southeastern Michigan, US. Letter boxes found and planted, 2005 - 2008.
Community with forums, searchable clues, trip planner, recording of finds, event listings, trackers, tutorials, photo galleries, and chat room.
Official site supports letterboxing in publicly owned state forests. Includes clues and a map of letterbox sites in state forests.
Challenging letterbox clues by Randy Hall, the author of The Letterboxing Companion.
Informal group and clues to the boxes they've planted.
Mark and Sue's weblog of letterboxing events in New England.
Clues for letterboxes located in Kansas.
Forum with clues and discussion topics. Includes helpful hints on methods and supplies.
Clues to quick and easy letterboxes to find while traveling on Route I-95, from Maine to Florida.
Account first published as "More Dartmoor Letterboxes" by Anne Swinscow in 1986.
Couple from Kensington, Connecticut describe activities in eleven states and the island of Aruba.
Chuck and Molly's letterboxes in Connecticut.
Posted to Atlas Obscura by by Kelly Catalfamo.
(December 12, 2017)
A video post explaining and showing how letterboxing works.
(August 04, 2013)
A video post from The Rhode Show.
(September 28, 2012)
A video documentary by Molly Rose.
(July 10, 2012)
Posted to the Toronto Star newspaper by Francine Kopun.
(July 20, 2010)
Introductory article by Ashley Schwellenbach featuring a letterboxer and the founder of Atlas Quest.
(June 17, 2009)
Radio host Linda Wertheimer and Thomas Johnston, an enthusiast in Washington, D.C., find a letterbox near the White House. [audio]
(April 10, 2004)
Other languages 1
