Unveiling the Wild: A Comprehensive Guide to All 20 Explorer Landmarks in Red Dead Redemption 2
There's a certain magic to riding through the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, a feeling that around the next bend in the trail, atop the next windswept ridge, or deep within a forgotten forest, a secret awaits. For the true wanderer, the completionist, and the lore enthusiast, the pursuit of the Explorer Challenges is a call to adventure that resonates with this very spirit. And at the heart of this endeavor lies the hunt for the Explorer Landmarks, a collection of 20 hidden treasures scattered across the five states. This guide is your ultimate companion, a friendly map in the wilderness, designed to lead you to every single one of these iconic locations.
Let's saddle up and embark on the journey to find all RDR2 treasure hunt locations, specifically focusing on the Rockstar Games landmark map points that make up this challenge.
What Are the Explorer Landmarks?
Before we dive into the locations, let's clarify what we're hunting. The Explorer Challenge is one of several sets of tasks in the game, divided into ten ranks. To complete the entire challenge and unlock the coveted RDR2 Explorer Challenge reward—which is the magnificent Buffalo Horn Talisman that permanently increases your health core—you need to find specific items. For ranks 5 through 9, this involves locating a series of treasure maps and then the treasures themselves.
However, the term "Explorer Landmarks" has become the community's collective name for the physical locations of these hidden treasures. They are not marked on your in-game map until you stand right before them. Finding them requires patience, a keen eye, and a willingness to venture off the beaten path. This guide will detail every single one of these RDR2 hidden treasure spots, ensuring you don't miss a single piece of gold or a breathtaking vista.
The Journey Begins: Explorer Challenge 5 - The Jack Hall Gang Map
Your first foray into major treasure hunting starts here. You'll need to find two halves of a map to lead you to the final loot.
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Landmark 1: Jack Hall Gang Map Part 1
- Location: The western shore of Flat Iron Lake, just south of the "L" in "LAKE" on your map. Look for a series of small islands and a shipwreck.
- How to Find It: On the largest of these islands, you'll find a wrecked boat. Climb onto it and search near the mast to find the map tucked away in a lockbox. This is one of the more accessible RDR2 landmark locations and a great starting point.
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Landmark 2: Jack Hall Gang Map Part 2
- Location: The cliffs west of the "O" in "CUMBERLAND FOREST" on your map, directly north of the O'Creagh's Run lake.
- How to Find It: Ride along the cliff edge until you see a distinctive, gnarled tree growing out of the rock face. The lockbox with the second map is nestled at the base of this tree.
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Landmark 3: Jack Hall Gang Treasure (First Payout)
- Location: A cave entrance on the shore of the Dakota River, almost directly east of the "F" in "CUMBERLAND FALLS."
- How to Find It: With both map parts, the first treasure location will be clear. Wade into the shallow cave to find a chest containing $200 and a gold bar.
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Landmark 4: Jack Hall Gang Treasure (Final Payout)
- Location: The highest peak of Mount Hagen, in the Grizzlies West.
- How to Find It: This is a classic RDR2 scenic viewpoint location. Ride to the very summit. Amidst the snow and rocks, you'll find the final chest near the edge of the cliff, offering a stunning view and a reward of two gold bars.
The Trail Deepens: Explorer Challenge 6 - The High Stakes Map
This treasure hunt takes you to some of the most dramatic and beautiful RDR2 landmark locations in the game.
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Landmark 5: High Stakes Map Part 1
- Location: Caliban's Seat, a prominent rock formation in the southern region of West Elizabeth.
- How to Find It: Ride to the top of the northernmost peak of Caliban's Seat. The lockbox is cleverly hidden in a crevice in the rocks. This spot offers a fantastic panoramic view of the heartlands.
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Landmark 6: High Stakes Map Part 2
- Location: Fort Wallace, a heavily guarded military fort in Ambarino.
- How to Find It: You don't need to go inside the fort! Look along the cliffs north of Fort Wallace. You'll find a dead explorer with the map next to him, perched precariously on a ledge. Be careful navigating this area.
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Landmark 7: High Stakes Treasure (First Payout)
- Location: The Window Rock, a natural arch formation south of the Valentine town.
- How to Find It: This is one of the most iconic RDR2 natural landmark spots. Ride through the arch and look to your left. The treasure is hidden in a niche in the rock, rewarding you with $150 and a gold bar.
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Landmark 8: High Stakes Treasure (Second Payout)
- Location: The peak of a large waterfall, specifically the Brandywine Drop in Roanoke Ridge.
- How to Find It: Ride to the top of the Brandywine Drop waterfall. On the eastern side, tucked behind a large boulder, you'll find the chest. The roar of the waterfall makes this a memorable find.
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Landmark 9: High Stakes Treasure (Final Payout)
- Location: A cave behind a waterfall at the Elysian Pool, east of the Kamassa River.
- How to Find It: The Elysian Pool is polluted and yellow, but the cave behind its waterfall is pristine. Swim behind the cascading water to find the final High Stakes treasure chest with two gold bars.
The Final Leg: Explorer Challenge 7 & 8 - The Poisonous Trail Map
This is the most complex and rewarding treasure hunt, leading you to some truly remote RDR2 hidden treasure spots.
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Landmark 10: Poisonous Trail Map Part 1
- Location: A tree stump in the Bayou Nwa, east of the Lagras lake.
- How to Find It: In the swampy area, look for a large, hollowed-out stump. The map is inside, but be wary of the local wildlife, including the infamous Night Folk.
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Landmark 11: Poisonous Trail Treasure (First Payout)
- Location: A tomb in the Saint Denis cemetery.
- How to Find It: At night, head to the large cemetery in the city's northeast. The treasure is hidden inside an open, above-ground tomb.
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Landmark 12: Poisonous Trail Map Part 2
- Location: Inside the wreck of the Serendipity, a ship beached on the islands just off the coast of Clemens Point.
- How to Find It: You'll need a boat or a very determined horse to swim out to the shipwreck. The map is in the captain's quarters.
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Landmark 13: Poisonous Trail Treasure (Second Payout)
- Location: The face of a cliff in the Roanoke Valley, directly west of the "V" in "ROANOKE VALLEY."
- How to Find It: This is a tricky one. Look for a ledge about halfway down the cliff face. You may need to carefully climb down or use a specific path to reach it. The chest is tucked away here.
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Landmark 14: Poisonous Trail Map Part 3
- Location: On a statue's hand in the loft of the abandoned Lonnie's Shack, located in the far southeast of Roanoke Ridge.
- How to Find It: Break into the shack and climb up to the loft. You'll find a eerie scene with a statue, and the map is resting on its outstretched hand.
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Landmark 15: Poisonous Trail Treasure (Final Payout)
- Location: A cave in the far north of Ambarino, near the Donner Falls and the Wapiti Indian Reservation.
- How to Find It: This is one of the most remote RDR2 secret area discoveries. The cave entrance is hidden near the base of the waterfall. Inside, you'll be rewarded with a massive haul of four gold bars, making the entire arduous journey worthwhile.
The Last Loot: Explorer Challenge 9 - The Elemental Trail Map
The final set of landmarks offers one last grand adventure and a huge payout.
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Landmark 16: Elemental Trail Map Part 1
- Location: A crevice in the Cotorra Springs, the geothermal area north of the "O" in "AMBARINO."
- How to Find It: Navigate carefully through the steaming springs and look for a narrow crevice in the rock face. The map is inside on a small ledge.
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Landmark 17: Elemental Trail Treasure (First Payout)
- Location: Inside the Witch's Cauldron hut, located in the woods northeast of the "H" in "HANOVER."
- How to Find It: The small hut is unmistakable. The treasure is hidden inside a chest, adding a touch of mystery to this RDR2 landmark location.
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Landmark 18: Elemental Trail Map Part 2
- Location: On a ledge overlooking the Dakota River, directly south of the "B" in "BIG VALLEY."
- How to Find It: Climb down the cliffs to a prominent ledge. You'll find a skeleton and the next part of the map.
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Landmark 19: Elemental Trail Treasure (Second Payout)
- Location: A cave behind a waterfall at Barrow Lagoon, a small lake in the Grizzlies East.
- How to Find It: Ride to the northern end of the lagoon and look for the waterfall. The cave behind it conceals the treasure.
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Landmark 20: Elemental Trail Treasure (Final Payout)
- Location: The peak of Mount Shann, a towering mountain in West Elizabeth.
- How to Find It: This final location is a fitting end to your journey. The climb to the summit of Mount Shann is long, but the view is unparalleled. The treasure, containing several gold bars, is waiting for you at the very top, making you feel like the true king of the world you've so thoroughly explored.
Completing the hunt for all RDR2 Explorer Landmarks is more than just a checklist; it's a tour of the most breathtaking, hidden, and story-rich corners of the game. It forces you to slow down, observe your surroundings, and appreciate the incredible detail Rockstar Games has woven into every canyon, forest, and mountain peak. So grab your best horse, stock up on provisions, and use this guide to claim your fortune and the title of the greatest explorer in the American frontier. Happy trails
