Every summer, thousands of Utahns lace up their boots, study a poem, and set off in search of hidden treasure worth $25,000. Started in 2020 by Utah real estate entrepreneurs John Maxim and David Cline, the Utah Treasure Hunt has become a statewide phenomenon that brings together families, hikers, and puzzle-solvers alike.
If you’re new to the hunt, or just need a refresher, this page will get you up to speed on everything you need to know for the 2025 treasure hunt!
-> Already familiar with the Utah Treasure Hunt? Head straight to our 2025 Treasure Hunt Updates page for the latest clues, theories, and community chatter
The Utah Treasure Hunt is an annual event where a real $25,000 treasure is hidden somewhere in Utah’s outdoors. Clues to its location are embedded in a poem released by the hunt’s organizers, John and Dave. The hunt combines outdoor adventure with poetic riddle-solving, drawing participants from all over the state.
While Trails Utah isn’t affiliated with the Utah Treasure Hunt, we are huge advocates of getting folks into nature and exploring our incredible trail systems. So we aggregate the publicly available information to help all hunters get up to speed and out on the trails!
Each year, a new poem is released that contains clues pointing to the treasure’s location. The poem is the only direct source of information. As the weeks progress, if the treasure hasn’t been found, John and Dave release additional clues. Here’s how to follow the official clues:
Email Newsletter – Sign up at utahtreasurehunts.com/about to receive clues directly.
Instagram Stories – Clues appear next on their accounts: @onthejohn and @the.cline.fam
Official Website – Clues are later archived on utahtreasurehunts.com
We summarize all this information weekly in our 2025 Treasure Hunt Updates post.
-> Si hablas español y buscas una descripción general rápida, mira este video (¡todo en español!) que resume el lanzamiento de la búsqueda del tesoro de Utah de 2025.
Thousands of people across Utah are already preparing for the 2025 hunt. Whether you’re joining solo, with friends, or making it a family adventure, you’re not alone.
Follow updates, share theories, and dive deep into the puzzle on:
Reddit: r/utahtreasurehunt
Instagram hashtags: #utahtreasurehunt #utahtreasurehunt2025
Podcast: Cache Me Outside – A group of treasure hunt enthusiasts sharing thoughts and theories throughout the season.
For weekly clues and the latest theories, follow our 2025 Treasure Hunt Updates.
Did you know that John and Dave fund the $25,000 prize themselves each year? It’s truly their passion project.
While they’ve partnered with sponsors before, the $25,000 prize still comes straight from their pockets—putting both their passion (and wallets) to the test. Want to help them (and your business) out? Consider becoming a sponsor.
Sponsorships offer a unique way to join the fun—like the video clue reveals from Element United and First Class Fireplace, which reached 70,000+ highly engaged followers who rewatch every frame for hidden clues.
If your company wants to get involved, send John (@onthejohn) or Dave (@the.cline.fam) a direct message on Instagram.
While we’re not part of the Utah Treasure Hunt, Trails Utah shares the mission of making trails more accessible and getting people outside—and this treasure hunt does exactly that, so we want to see it continue.
What does Trails Utah do?
We advocate for, plan, fund, and build trails across Utah, connecting people to the state’s landscapes. See our projects, donate, or become a member to support our work.
