UP TO $15,000 in prize money
Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt sponsored by Cub and the St. Paul Winter Carnival
This year, the Pioneer Press/TwinCities.com is partnering with the St. Paul Winter Carnival to celebrate its 140th anniversary with the biggest prize ever!
The Pioneer Press/TwinCities.com hides a small medallion on public land in Ramsey County. The rules are simple: No purchase is necessary to win.
The hunt starts on Sunday (Jan. 18), before the 140th St. Paul Winter Carnival kicks off on Jan. 22. A new clue appears daily (for 12 days or until the medallion is found) in print and online. Hunters read the clues to figure out where the medallion is hidden. The person who finds the medallion wins $5,000. Additionally, they can win an extra $5,000 if they have the registered commemorative 2026 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt Patch. If they have the first two listed items in celebration of the 140th Winter Carnival, they can win an extra $5,000 if they also have a 2026 St. Paul Winter Carnival Button.
Total WIN could be up to $15,000.
It’s as simple as this:
Solve the clues and find it. Have a registered Treasure Hunt Patch and a Winter Carnival Button, and you’ll win $15,000 (in that order, no exceptions).
2025 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt rules
No purchase necessary to win. Treasure Hunt clues will be published in the Pioneer Press and TwinCities.com starting Sunday, January 18, 2026. A new clue will appear daily through Thursday, January 29, 2026, unless the medallion is found before that date. Read the daily clues to search for the Pioneer Press medallion hidden on public land in Ramsey County. 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 or Wicahapi/formerly Indian Mounds Regional Park, Hansen Park in New Brighton or under any skating surface, cross-country ski trails, and golf courses, under or on any artificial turf surface, or at any construction site. Do not destroy anything to find the medallion.
If you find the Pioneer Press medallion, PROMPTLY call the number on the medallion for further instructions on qualifying for the $5,000 initial cash prize. Please refrain from engaging with or speaking to other media outlets before contacting the Pioneer Press. Receive an additional $5,000 if the individual who finds the medallion has a registered Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt Patch in their name (NO SHARING for groups, teams, or families). Each member must have a registered patch if you are hunting in a group. The Pioneer Press will recognize one winner with one prize. If the finder chooses to share the prize award, it will be their responsibility. Patches are immediately registered when purchased online by Friday, January 16, 2026.
If the medallion is not found by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, January 30, 2026, the Pioneer Press reserves the right to terminate the hunt and donate the prize to a local charity or park.
The Pioneer Press reserves the right to discontinue the hunt if public property is destroyed.
General Conditions: Individuals under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate in the hunt. The parent or guardian who claims the prize on behalf of a child must have a registered patch. The winner must execute and return a Certificate of Eligibility and General Release forms within 24 hours of notifying the paper that the medallion has been found. If the winner is under 18, the Certificate must be signed by their parent or legal guardian.
Non-compliance may result in disqualification. Any income tax liability is the sole responsibility of the winner. All participants agree that the Pioneer Press, TwinCities.com, St Paul Winter Carnival, Sponsor(s), and their respective affiliate companies, parents, subsidiaries, advertising representatives, and agent/consultants will have NO liability whatsoever and will be held harmless by participants for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of the prizes or participation in this contest. Except where legally prohibited, by accepting the award, the winner grants permission for Pioneer Press/TwinCities.com, its partners, and those acting under its authority to use their name, photograph, voice, and likeness for advertising and publicity without compensation.
No purchase necessary to win. All contest rules and decisions are final.
Employees, carriers, and immediate family members of Pioneer Press, TwinCities.com, and contest partners are not eligible. Please be aware of and follow all local laws and health regulations. Please abide by all the rules and requests of police officers or local officials. Night hunting or hunting alone is NOT recommended for your safety. All HUNTING WILL BE DONE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Participating in this hunt assumes you have read these rules and risks and will abide by them.
For a list of the winners, write to:
Pioneer Press/Treasure Hunt Winner
One West Water Street, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55107
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