One-of-a-kind crafted outdoor quests built around the real places near you. Pick your location, choose a theme, and a personalized storyline with GPS-tracked clues is ready in 90 seconds — playable immediately, almost anywhere, any time you like.
Every quest is generated on demand and self-guided. There's no app to download, no time limit, and no schedule to follow. Just decide where you'll be and our system does the rest.
Decide where you'll be — a downtown area or a city you're visiting. The quest is built around the real places within walking or driving distance of that spot.
Pick a theme, difficulty, and how many clues you want. A unique storyline with GPS-tracked clues, puzzles, and unlock combinations is ready in 90 seconds.
Follow the clues, solve the puzzles, and uncover the story as you go. Play immediately or save it for a free Saturday months from now. The quest waits for you.
Cryptic Quests is like a piece of interactive fiction set in the real world: every clue is a chapter in a single connected story, the locations are part of the plot, and the satisfaction comes from the narrative resolving as much as from finding things. If you've enjoyed scavenger hunts or treasure hunts, you'll recognize the shape - but the experience is closer to playing through a short story you star in.
Every quest created is original — below is a real one played by a real quester. Refresh the page for a different one. No two are alike.
In the summer of 1964, local historian Elias Thorne vanished from Forsyth, leaving behind a legacy of rumors and a tarnished reputation. The town whispered that he had stolen a cache of lost Ozark silver—wealth hidden away before the White River was dammed to create Lake Taneycomo. Today, a water-damaged envelope has arrived at your door, containing a frantic letter from Thorne and a set of coordinates that have been waiting sixty years for the right person to follow them.
Thorne’s letter speaks of a shadowy figure known only as the Watchman, a guardian sworn to protect the valley's true history from those who would exploit it. To find the truth, you must track down Thorne’s lost silver ledger, a document that supposedly proves his innocence and reveals the final resting place of the valley’s treasures. But Thorne’s path was never easy; he moved through the shadows of Forsyth, leaving clues where only the observant would look, fearful that the Watchman was always one step behind him.
As you begin your search, three questions remain: What really happened to Elias Thorne in his final hours? Who was the Watchman who pursued him through the fog of the White River? And most importantly, does the silver ledger still exist, or did it sink beneath the rising waters of the dam decades ago? The answers are buried in the stones and stories of this town, waiting to be whispered once more.
Your journey begins where the locals go for a thrill, a place that Thorne claimed was a portal to the valley's restless spirits. You must find the first marker of his trail before the secrets of 1964 are lost to time forever. The hunt is on.
No subscriptions, no hidden fees. Buy a quest credit when you want one and use it whenever you're ready — today, next weekend, or six months from now.
Everything you need to create and play your one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure.
From first-time questers to weekend regulars — here's what folks have to say after a day spent following the clues.
“This is a great way to introduce people to the city in different areas. I had a blast on the quest.”
“We enjoyed the adventure. It wasn’t too long or too difficult for my group to get our feet wet with this game. Looking forward to the next one.”
“We had a blast and a half! I took my 2 children and they loved looking for clues! My 5yr old even found a clue! We will definitely be doing more.”
“A lot of fun, we had a great time! ”
“I went on my first quest last weekend. I like the combination of searching for clues and competing. I liked the way the app is setup and the instructions are clear. The area we covered was perfect for our first quest. I'm looking forward to the next one...”
“Great experience!! Some of the clues were easier than others, but some of them took a lot of time to figure out. Overall a great quest and very fun time with friends.”
“Cryptic Quests is brilliant! Get out and pursue a mini adventure! Looking forward to more quests!”
“My first adventure with Cryptic Quest has me hooked. I really liked the website layout and the directions for the quest were simple. Being a competitive person, this was very exciting and enjoyable.”
“I’ve always been intrigued by “treasure hunts” and have always wanted to participate. I actually did my first quest last night and it was all that I had thought plus more. The clues were awesome and the storyline was fantastic. If you do get stuck, I love the hint option. I highly recommended this. You can do it solo or with a group! ”
Pick your spot, configure your quest, and a one-of-a-kind custom-generated adventure is ready in 90 seconds. No download. No deadline. Just you, your phone, and somewhere new to explore.
Start your first quest