It’s a modern spin on the classic treasure hunt: six special bottles hidden across Oregon, offering the chance to direct $6,000 to local nonprofits.

The Hidden Bottle Hunt is back for another year in Oregon, hiding the treasure in parks and on trails around the state, offering a series of clues to help people find them.

Organized by the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, operators of the Bottle Drop redemption centers, the event was first conceived in 2021 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Oregon’s Bottle Bill.

This year’s Hidden Bottle Hunt features turquoise-colored bottles that pays homage to the Oregon coast, organizers said. The bottles will be hidden in public parks and trails, one in each of six different geographic zones covering the entire state. Clues for each zone will be released daily at 10 a.m. from July 3 to 7. To receive clues, sign up online at bottledrop.com/hunt.

And while there’s no treasure chest or cash prize involved, each finder will get to keep the bottle and direct $1,000 to a BottleDrop Give nonprofit.

Bottles will be wrapped up and stored inside burlap sacks, to protect them from the elements. The bottles won’t be buried underground or hidden on private property, organizers said. Each bottle includes instructions on how to contact the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative to confirm the find and direct the donation.

The Bottle Bill, the first such measure enacted in the U.S., charges a small deposit on certain beverage containers, and allows people to redeem those deposits by turning in cans to redemption centers.

--Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB.

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