The deed is done, as they say: The Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt medallion has been hidden — and now you’ve got some “noodling” to do.
Related: Get the clues here.
The object has been tucked away in secret locations around Ramsey County every winter since 1952. This year, to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the clever hunter who figures out the clues and finds the medallion could win $15,000, the largest prize ever offered.
First-time clue solvers and multigenerational family teams alike, take note: Some rules have changed for this year’s hunt, which is sponsored by Cub and the Winter Carnival. So make sure you’re up-to-date before heading out into the cold — and good luck!
How to find the medallion:
1. Follow the clues: New hints are published every day until Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, or until the medallion is found. Clues will appear daily on TwinCities.com and in the print edition of the Pioneer Press, and will also be released early in person at Shamrocks (995 W. Seventh St.) at approximately 11:30 p.m. or slightly beforehand each night of the hunt.
2. Go to the right place: The medallion is hidden on public land in Ramsey County — with a few exceptions. The medallion will not be hidden on the State Capitol grounds, at Como Zoo & Conservatory, Rice Park, Silver Oaks Park, Maplewood’s Preserves and Open Space, Wakan Tipi/formerly Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, Wicahapi/formerly Indian Mounds Regional Park, nor Hansen Park in New Brighton. It also will not be under any skating surface, ski trails, on a golf course, nor under or on any artificial turf surface or at any construction site.
3. Be a courteous hunter: Please do not destroy anything to find the medallion! We’re serious about this. When you’re hunting, you must abide by all laws and requests of police officers or local officials. All medallion hunting is done at your own risk. The Pioneer Press reserves the right to discontinue the contest any time if public property is destroyed.
4. Some fine print: No purchase is necessary to win. And if the medallion is not found by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2026, the hunt ends and the Pioneer Press may donate the prize money to a local charity.
If you find the medallion:
Call the phone number on the back of the medallion right away. We’ll tell you what to do next. (Please let us know before you tell others, so we can officially verify your win!)
If you find the medallion itself, you can win $5,000. An additional $5,000 will be awarded if the finder has a registered 2026 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt Patch. Then, if the finder also has a 2026 Winter Carnival button in addition to the hunt patch, they will win the final $5,000 prize, for a total possible package of $15,000. (Please note the prizes are sequential, i.e. a finder can claim the final reward for possessing a Carnival button only if they first possess a registered patch; no exceptions.)
Unlike in previous years, finders will not be required to provide print-outs or clippings of each clue to receive the initial $5,000 finders’ prize.
Please note a few more rules: If you find the medallion, you must complete the appropriate eligibility and release forms within 24 hours. Those under 18 may participate with a parent or guardian’s permission, but if the medallion is found by a child, an adult must provide authorization and claim the prize on their behalf.
Finally, while hunting in pairs or groups is certainly allowed, the Pioneer Press will recognize one individual winner. Groups cannot share a registered patch; each hunter should have their own patch registered to their name. To claim the full prize, Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt Patch registration must be tied to the winner’s name; it’s their responsibility whether or how to share the prize.
Full rules for the 2026 hunt are available online.
Keep up-to-date with the hunt:
By phone: at the automated medallion hotline — 651-228-5547 — to know whether it’s been found
Online: at twincities.com/treasurehunt
On Facebook: at facebook.com/PPtreasurehunt
In the forum discussions: at facebook.com/groups/TreasureHuntForum
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