A Treasure Hunt Amusement Park Ride
Five Treasure Boxes Worth Over $2 Million — Hidden Across America
by Jon Collins-Black
A five-year passion project born during COVID lockdown — five puzzle boxes full of treasure hidden across the United States
Jon Collins-Black (JCB) spent 5 years acquiring 65–70 unique objects — gold, gems, rare Pokémon cards, a Michael Jordan rookie card, historical artifacts from George Washington, Jackie Onassis, Pablo Picasso, and Andrew Carnegie — then hid them in 5 puzzle boxes across America. The book There's Treasure Inside contains all the clues.
Each box is a handmade puzzle box by master craftsman Seth Gould — brass, steel, and iron. The Lion's Share box requires 7 clever actions to open. Instructions to open each puzzle box are hidden with the box itself. When found, they're not sitting in the open — one discovery will reveal the container type for all five.
Each smaller box's clues are contained entirely within its own chapter. The Lion's Share clues are scattered throughout the entire book — front cover to back. JCB has confirmed there are red herrings in Part 1 of the book, but each box's chapter has everything needed to solve it. Joy's Serenade is a Lion's Share clue only.
JCB will announce the find on his website. He'll write a full solve explanation for each box found. The finder can remain anonymous if they choose. Importantly, each smaller box contains a laminated clue for finding the Lion's Share — so every find brings everyone closer to the big prize.
Confirmed directly by JCB across 9 interviews
No box is hidden on private property. All are on public land or public-access spaces.
AM/FM Drew Pearson, Seeking Treasure ConJCB didn't bury any boxes or dig holes. They're not underground. Could be between rocks or in a natural feature, but not buried.
Cowlazars #1"Nope" to needing 4WD. One location might be bumpy to reach, but you don't need special vehicles.
Cowlazars #1No two boxes are in adjoining states. When a box is found, you can rule out all neighboring states for the remaining boxes.
Cowlazars #1, Cowlazars Nov 2025Searchers have been within 200 feet of both the Pokémon box and the Appalachian Footpath box. No such claim for the other boxes.
Cowlazars #1, One Clue ShortInaccuracies and typos in the book are NOT intentional clues. JCB has been working to get them corrected in reprints.
Cowlazars Nov 2025, Seeking Treasure ConJCB estimated sales between 100K and 200K copies. Originally $50, now around $35.
Cowlazars Nov 2025JCB had to check on one box due to concerns that mother nature might have destroyed it. It was still intact.
Cowlazars #1, Cowlazars Nov 2025All 5 boxes are hidden in the same type of outer container. When one is found, you'll know what to look for with the rest.
Cowlazars #1Kindle, Apple, and Nook editions were removed. JCB says he doesn't know why — possibly publisher/platform decision. Community speculated it was related to Joy's Serenade or extra clues.
Cowlazars #1, FroggyThe missing page 90 is "not an unintentional error." It's a deliberate clue (likely for the Lion's Share).
Seeking Treasure ConOur Unbreakable Thread contains 1–2 optional clues, but is not necessary to solve any box.
Cowlazars Nov 2025, Treasure Hunt With UsClick a box to explore its clues, theories, and interview evidence
"Somewhere along the Appalachian Trail — a 2,190-mile corridor through 14 states"
The Appalachian Trail chapter tells the story through JCB's connection to the trail. The chapter contains a trail map that is the primary clue mechanism — an exact match to a real section of the Appalachian Trail has been identified by the community. JCB confirmed there are three ways to solve this box: one gives you an exact spot, one a larger area, and one an even larger area. The details are on the map.
The leading theory places this box near the Green Mountain trail section, specifically near Little Rock Pond in Vermont. Community members identified this as the strongest match to the map in the book. The Appalachian Trail passes through this area of the Green Mountain National Forest.
Leading TheorySome searchers have explored other sections of the AT across its 14-state range — from Georgia to Maine. The map match narrows it significantly, but without the exact solve, multiple sections remain possible.
Under Exploration"There's been 200-foot searchers, both Pokémon and Appalachian Box."
Cowlazars #1 (recapping other interviews)"The most searched box he thought by far was the Appalachian Trail box."
Cowlazars #1"There's three ways to solve it. One way's exact, one way's a larger area, and then one way is an even larger area. The details are on the map."
Cowlazars #1 (recapping other interviews)"In the AT box, you just need those solves. For AT, it's the map."
Seeking Treasure Con"Ready Player One meets cryptography — a cipher and word search hiding something deeper"
The Past and Future chapter references Ready Player One and features a word search puzzle and a cryptogram. The chapter is rich with gaming culture and puzzles. JCB designed the word search himself and confirmed it took significant effort. The word search contains 5 clues that the community has not yet fully identified. The cryptogram has been decoded but appears to have additional layers.
The most developed theory, extensively explored by Cowlazars and Cynthia Meechum. They've been boots on the ground 4–5 times. The "over and under while in between" clue fits a gondola/overlook geography. However, no 200-foot claim and frustration over inability to pinpoint.
Most ExploredAn alternative theory based on word search decode and chapter references. Less boots-on-ground exploration than Tahoe.
Active TheoryBased on additional decoding of the cryptogram and chapter context. JCB lived in North Carolina and has connections there.
Under InvestigationA newer theory based on alternative word search interpretations. Less community support but not ruled out.
Emerging"If you are closer to the over than under while in between, there are only so many spots where the treasure could be safe from people and nature."
Cowlazars Nov 2025 — JCB's direct statement"Have the five clues in the word search been identified? — I don't think so."
Cowlazars Nov 2025"He wants the whole community to know, you haven't figured out the five clues in the word search."
Cowlazars #1 (paraphrasing JCB)"For past and future, it's a cipher."
Seeking Treasure Con"I had a word search — you need to search for words — and I had a cryptogram that you need to uncode or decode, and that was it."
Seeking Treasure Con"The most expensive smaller box — following a family road trip through the Ozarks"
Chapter 25 tells the story of a family road trip from Statesville, NC to Texas (New Orleans and Houston) and back past the Ozarks. It interweaves memories of Pokémon Go and Pokémon culture with the journey. The box is hidden "not far" from a place JCB visited on that childhood trip. The chapter also contains what appears to be a fictional tale about "Froaky" — JCB has hinted that the first half (the real trip description) and the fictional section serve different purposes.
The leading theory places this box in the Ozarks region of Arkansas, specifically near Hemmed-In Hollow — the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians — along the Buffalo River. This fits the road trip route and the Ozarks reference in the chapter. The area is public land (National River/National Forest).
Leading TheorySome searchers have explored other areas along the Ozarks section of the trip route — other waterfalls, trails, and natural features in Missouri and Arkansas.
Alternative"There's been 200-foot searchers, both Pokémon and Appalachian Box."
Cowlazars #1"There's no red herrings in the individual box chapters. There are red herrings in Part 1."
Seeking Treasure Con (re: Pokémon specifically)"The eBook said Pokémon was an exact spot. And now he's saying it's a larger area."
Cowlazars #1 (noting the discrepancy)"The Pokémon box follows a route around your trip — Statesville to New Orleans and Houston and back."
Seeking Treasure Con"A tribute to the original — hidden in the Rocky Mountains with the legendary Olive Jar"
The Forrest Fenn chapter pays tribute to the legendary treasure hider who inspired JCB's own hunt. JCB was himself a Fenn searcher — he went out into nature looking for Fenn's box of gold in the Rocky Mountains, and that experience eventually led to creating this hunt. The chapter contains the clues needed to locate this box, and the eBook description confirms the Rocky Mountains as the search area.
The strongest community theory places this box in northern New Mexico, given JCB's "north of Santa Fe" comment and the Fenn connection (Fenn lived in Santa Fe). The 5,000–10,200 foot elevation range fits the Sangre de Cristo Mountains or surrounding areas.
Leading TheorySome searchers explore areas in Montana and Wyoming where Fenn's own treasure was found. The original Fenn treasure was in Wyoming — this box could be a more direct tribute to that location area.
Active Theory"Forrest Fenn was inspired north of Santa Fe. You have the four states there — Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico."
Seeking Treasure Con"Forrest Fenn search area — not large, but just be thorough when you're in your location."
Cowlazars #1 (recapping)"The Olive Jar — when it's finally revealed and we all finally figure out what's in there, is it going to make us happy or is it going to make us sad? — I wish I knew. I think I was less emotionally attached than some people are."
Seeking Treasure Con"It was somewhere between 5,000 and 10,200 feet in the Rockies, north of Santa Fe and below Canada."
Seeking Treasure ConKey statements extracted from all 9 JCB interviews — filter by source and topic