How to Prepare for Treasure Hunting in Red Dead Redemption 2
Before you ride out to chase a fortune, a little preparation goes a long way. In Red Dead Redemption 2, treasure hunting is more than just following a map—it’s about exploring harsh climates, navigating dark caves, and hauling heavy loot. Getting your gear and knowledge in order first will save you countless headaches and make you richer, faster.
First, let’s talk about gear. The treasures are spread across the entire map, from the snowy peaks of Ambarino to the swamps of Bayou Nwa. For the cold northern regions like the Grizzlies, you’ll need Warm Clothing. Equip it from your Horse Cargo by holding [L1], cycling to the Horse tab with [R1], and selecting the right outfit. Without it, your health core will drain rapidly. Next, you’ll absolutely need a Lantern for the dark caves, like the one behind the waterfall at Elysian Pool. To equip it, hold [L1] to open the Weapon Wheel, use [R1] to cycle to the Knife slot, then press [R2] to select the Lantern.
Craft the Legend of the East Satchel at your camp’s Leather Working Table as soon as you can. This satchel lets you carry 99 of almost every item, meaning you can collect all the gold bars and loot from a multi-map hunt without making a dozen trips back to a fence.
Your ultimate goal with these hunts is twofold: massive wealth and personal achievement. Every Gold Bar you find can be sold for $500 each at any Fence NPC, like the one in Rhodes or Saint Denis. This is your fastest path to early-game riches. Furthermore, completing these treasure hunts is essential for the Explorer Challenges. Finishing these challenges unlocks the full Explorer Outfit and grants free Stamina upgrades at the Trapper, making your entire adventure easier.
Stock up on health cures and make sure your horse is fed—you’re about to cover a lot of ground. With the right satchel, warm clothes, and a trusty lantern, you’re ready to face any challenge the wilderness throws at you and claim your fortune. Let’s find some treasure.
How to Find the Jack Hall Gang Treasure in Red Dead Redemption 2
Ready to make your fortune? In Red Dead Redemption 2, the Jack Hall Gang Treasure Hunt is the first major treasure hunt you can tackle, and it’s the perfect way to secure a huge cash injection early in Chapter 2. Trust me, those two Gold Bars you’ll find are more than enough to buy a top-tier horse and a new arsenal of weapons. Let’s get you to that payday.
Acquiring the First Map
Your hunt begins with a treasure hunter named Maximo Cristobal Valdespino. You’ll find him in The Heartlands, on a ridge west of Flatneck Station. Ride up and speak to him to start the Stranger Mission “All That Glitters.” He’ll offer you Jack Hall Gang Map 1 for $10. Here’s a neat trick: decline his first offer, and he’ll immediately drop the price to $5. If you miss him here, you can buy the map from any Fence later, but it’s cheaper and easier to get it from the source.
Finding the Second Map at Caliban's Seat
The first map points you to Caliban's Seat in New Hanover, directly south of Valentine. Ride to the base of this distinctive rock formation. To find the clue, you need to scale it. Head to the eastern side and look for a narrow, winding path leading up. Follow it carefully, and you’ll need to press [X] (or A on Xbox) to jump across a small ledge. The path leads to a crack or crevice in the rock face—search it to claim Jack Hall Gang Map 2.
Locating the Third Map at Cotorra Springs
Your next destination takes you north into the cold mountains of Ambarino. Ride to Cotorra Springs, located north of Fort Wallace. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the geysers and hot springs. Look for a distinctive, man-made circle of stones. The clue is hidden under the central rock in this stone circle. Search it to grab Jack Hall Gang Map 3. Don’t worry about the Legendary Wolf that roams this area—it won’t bother you unless you go looking for a fight.
The path up Caliban's Seat can be tricky. If you fall, don’t panic—just respawn at the bottom and try the eastern approach again. Your horse will wait for you.
Claiming Your Fortune at O'Creagh's Run
The final map leads to the big prize. Head to O'Creagh's Run, a picturesque lake in Grizzlies East. You’ll see a small, rocky island right in the center of the lake. You can swim or ride your horse across the chilly water to reach it. Once on the island, search under a small, mossy rock on the north side. Dig here to unearth the Jack Hall Gang Treasure: 2 Gold Bars.
Each bar sells for $500 at any Fence, netting you a cool $1,000. This is one of the fastest ways to get rich early in Red Dead Redemption 2. With that gold in your satchel, you’re set to upgrade your gear and face whatever the frontier throws at you next.
How to Solve the Poisonous Trail Treasure in Red Dead Redemption 2
The Poisonous Trail Treasure Hunt is Red Dead Redemption 2’s most complex and rewarding puzzle—four gold bars are waiting deep within a labyrinthine cave, but you’ll need to navigate a trail of cryptic clues across the map first. If you’ve tackled the Jack Hall Gang hunt, this is the next step up in both challenge and payoff.
Your journey begins in the frigid north at Cairn Lodge, located at Cairn Lake in the Grizzlies West region. Ride southeast from the town of Colter to find this isolated cabin. Inside, search under the bed to find a lockbox containing Poisonous Trail Map 1. This is your only free ticket—you can’t buy this map, so don’t miss it.
The first map depicts a distinctive rock formation. This leads you to Face Rock in Lemoyne, north of Rhodes. Look for a hill along the Scarlett Meadows road with a distinctive “face” in the stones. Here’s the trick most guides miss: the clue isn’t in the rock itself. Instead, search the hollow of a dead, upright tree on the hill, nestled between two fallen logs. Inside, you’ll find Poisonous Trail Map 2.
This second sketch shows a serpentine shape carved into the earth. Head to Roanoke Ridge, west of Van Horn Trading Post, to find the Snake Geoglyph on a hillside. The best vantage point is from the abandoned watchtower nearby. Once you spot the snake, climb to the circular “head” at its end and search the rocky mound there to claim Poisonous Trail Map 3.
Use your binoculars from the watchtower to spot the geoglyph clearly. The snake is massive and easier to trace from a high vantage point.
The final map points to the Elysian Pool in New Hanover. Ride to the north end of the pool to find a massive waterfall. This is where the real adventure starts. Walk straight through the curtain of water to enter the cave behind it.
Inside, darkness falls immediately. This is where that lantern from your preparations becomes essential. Open your weapon wheel with [L1], cycle to the knife slot with [R1], then select and equip your Lantern with [R2]. With light in hand, follow the right-side tunnel as it slopes downward.
You’ll need to drop down a few ledges and eventually crawl through a narrow opening. This leads to a network of hidden tunnels. Stay alert for a campsite—you’re on the right path. After navigating past a deep pit, you’ll slide down a slope to a dead-end chamber. Your perseverance pays off here. Search the pile of rocks at the end to unearth the Poisonous Trail Treasure: 4 gleaming Gold Bars.
Each bar sells for $500 at any fence, netting you a cool $2,000. This is one of the single biggest cash injections you can get in the early chapters of Red Dead Redemption 2. With this wealth secured, you’re ready to fund your entire outlaw lifestyle.
How to Complete the High Stakes Treasure Hunt in Red Dead Redemption 2
Alright, Arthur—time to hunt a different kind of bounty. The High Stakes Treasure Hunt in Red Dead Redemption 2 is where your treasure hunting skills get tested. This one starts with a chance encounter and sends you on a scenic tour of some of the game's most dramatic vertical climbs. The reward? A serious payday that can fund your entire outlaw lifestyle.
How to Start: Find the Random Treasure Hunter
First things first: you need to get your hands on the map. Unlike other hunts, you can't just buy this one from a store. It becomes available in Chapter 3 after completing the story mission "The New South." Once that's done, keep an eye out for a random Treasure Hunter NPC during your travels. He's an older gentleman, often found looking over a cliffside.
He can spawn in a few predefined spots, but your best bet is to ride the roads near Riggs Station or the area between Strawberry and Valentine. When you spot him, don't just talk to him—he won't hand it over. The surefire way to get the map is to use your lasso. Target him with [L2], then press [Circle] to lasso and hogtie him. He'll drop High Stakes Treasure Map 1 when you search him.
⚠️ Watch out: If you miss him after three separate encounters, you can buy the map from any fence, but tracking him down is free and more fun.
Map 1: Behind Cumberland Falls
Your first clue leads you to Cumberland Falls in New Hanover, west of Valentine. This is a classic waterfall puzzle. Ride right up to the base of the falls on the south side. Look for a large, mossy wooden log leaning against the rock face on the right side of the waterfall. You can walk right up it.
Follow the log behind the curtain of water. In the small, damp cave behind the falls, you'll find a lockbox tucked into the rocks. Open it to claim some cash and, more importantly, High Stakes Treasure Map 2.
Map 2: The Frozen Log at Barrow Lagoon
Next, head north into the cold of Ambarino. Your destination is Barrow Lagoon in Grizzlies West. This is a frozen lake surrounded by towering peaks. Ride onto the ice and look for a small, rocky island near the center. You'll see a broken tree stump that has fallen to create a natural bridge between two rock formations.
The treasure isn't buried here—it's sitting right in the open. Search the hole in the log bridge between the rocks. Grab the loot and High Stakes Treasure Map 3 to continue your climb.
Map 3 & The Final Treasure: The Cliffside Crevice
The final map points you to the cliffs above the river near Bacchus Station. Ride to Fort Wallace in Cumberland Forest, then head directly north. You're looking for a specific cliff face overlooking the Dakota River.
This part requires some careful platforming. Dismount and carefully work your way down the cliff ledges above the river. You'll need to drop down a few tiers. On the lower cliffs, just above the waterline, search along the rock face for a narrow crevice. Inside, you'll find the grand prize: 3 Gold Bars.
Save your game before attempting the final drop. The ledges can be tricky, and a misplaced jump can be fatal. If you fall, just reload and try again.
With three gold bars in your satchel—worth a cool $1,500 at any fence—you've conquered one of Red Dead Redemption 2's most rewarding and adventurous treasure hunts. This cash infusion is perfect for upgrading your camp, buying that special weapon, or just living the high life in Saint Denis for a while.
How to Find the Landmarks of Riches Treasure in Red Dead Redemption 2
Alright, you've tackled some of the classic treasure hunts in Red Dead Redemption 2, but this is the big one. The Landmarks of Riches Treasure is a unique puzzle hunt that sends you chasing cryptic sketches across the entire map for the single largest payout in the game. It's a marathon, not a sprint, but the payoff—six Gold Bars—makes it absolutely worth the trip.
Landmarks of Riches Treasure Walkthrough
This hunt doesn’t start with a map you buy or steal. Instead, you find the clues by visiting specific, strange landmarks scattered across the world. Each clue is a sketch in your satchel that points you to the next landmark. Trust me, once you see the first one, you’ll know exactly what to look for.
Step 1: The Obelisk
Your journey begins in Big Valley, West Elizabeth. Head northwest of Lake Owanjila—that lake near Strawberry—and look for a tall, stone Obelisk on a hill. When you inspect it, Arthur sketches it in his journal. The first clue, Landmarks of Riches Map 1, is hidden behind a plaque on the western side of the Obelisk. Grab it, and you'll see a drawing of a tiny church with a giant hand reaching down from the clouds.
Step 2: The Tiny Church
That sketch points you to the swampy Bayou Nwa. Ride east of the shanty town of Lakay to find a bizarre Tiny Church sitting alone in the mire. You'll need to climb onto its roof. Search the bell tower on the rooftop, and you'll find Landmarks of Riches Map 2 along with some jewelry. This map shows a turtle with a broken shell.
Step 3: The Mysterious Hill Home
The turtle leads you north into Ambarino. Travel northeast of Bacchus Station and you'll find the Mysterious Hill Home, a lonely cabin perched on a hill. The clue is on the roof. Climb up and look for a broken window amidst the grassy roof. Search the window in the grass roof to claim Landmarks of Riches Map 3 and another trinket. This sketch depicts a cannon turning into a fallen tree.
Step 4: Bolger Glade
Head south to the civil war battlefield of Bolger Glade in Lemoyne, southeast of Rhodes. Among the trenches and discarded cannons, look for a hollow tree stump surrounded by trenches, with a fallen log bridging one. Search inside this tree stump in the trenches to find the final clue, Landmarks of Riches Map 4. It shows a sundial on a mountain, with the sun rising behind it and the number 7 highlighted.
While the sketches are the main guide, your in-game map is your best friend. Pin each target location (Obelisk, Tiny Church, etc.) as a waypoint. The terrain can be tricky, especially around Mount Shann, so having a clear destination saves time.
Step 5: The Final Treasure – Mount Shann
The last sketch points you back to Big Valley, but to its highest point. You need to climb Mount Shann. Ride to the summit and find the ancient stone sundial. The clue indicates the 7 o'clock position. Find the rock that represents the 7 o'clock position on the sundial and search under it. This is it—dig here and you'll unearth the Landmarks of Riches Treasure: six Gold Bars.
⚠️ Watch Out: The climb up Mount Shann is steep and cold. Make sure you're wearing warm clothing and have a horse with good stamina. If you get lost, look for the Obelisk from Step 1—the sundial is within sight of it.
Each Gold Bar sells for $500 at a Fence, netting you a whopping $3,000 total. This treasure hunt is a fantastic blend of exploration and puzzle-solving, and with this guide, you're ready to claim Red Dead Redemption 2's most lucrative hidden prize. Let's go get rich.
How to Find Le Tresor Des Morts in Red Dead Redemption 2
Ready to claim the biggest single cash payout in Red Dead Redemption 2? The Le Tresor Des Morts treasure hunt is your golden ticket, but there’s a catch—it’s an exclusive bonus reserved for those who pre-ordered the digital version or own the Special/Ultimate Edition of the game. If you qualify, this hunt leads you on a three-step journey across Lemoyne for a massive reward.
Your hunt begins in Limpany, the burned town in The Heartlands. Among the charred ruins, look for the only standing structure: a small jailhouse. Inside, you’ll find Le Tresor Des Morts Map 1 next to a dead body. This map points you toward the bustling city of Saint Denis.
If you’ve already explored Limpany for the lockbox under the sheriff’s desk, you might have missed this map. The jailhouse is a separate building—head back and check the small, intact structure near the town's center.
The second clue is hidden in the industrial underbelly of Saint Denis. Travel to the Saint Denis Trainyard in Lemoyne. You need to find an underground passage beneath one of the larger buildings. Inside this dimly lit tunnel, search the wall next to a wooden crate to discover Le Tresor Des Morts Map 2 tucked away.
Your final destination is a place of quiet reflection. The last map leads you to the Saint Denis Graveyard. Your goal is a small, accessible mausoleum building within its walls. Head inside and search to complete your hunt and claim your prize: 5 Gold Bars.
⚠️ Watch out: The graveyard is patrolled, especially at night. To avoid an unwanted bounty, visit during the day and be mindful of any lawmen or caretakers nearby.
With all five bars in your satchel, you’re looking at a cool $2,500 when sold to any fence. This is the single most lucrative treasure map in Red Dead Redemption 2, making it the perfect windfall to fund your entire outlaw career. Saddle up and go get that gold.
How to Get Otis Miller's Revolver and the Mended Map
This hunt is different. In Red Dead Redemption 2, most treasure maps lead to gold bars you can sell for cash. The Torn Treasure Map, however, is a quest for a collector's prize: a unique weapon and a peculiar set of collectibles. It requires you to track down two reclusive hermits, piece together their map halves, and finally venture into territory you can't fully access until the story's end. Here’s how to claim Otis Miller’s Revolver.
Find the Torn Map Pieces
The map is split between two hostile hermits living in remote cabins. You can tackle them in any order, but be ready for a fight at each location.
First, head to Manito Glade in New Hanover, north of Annesburg. Here you’ll find the Male Hermit. He’s notoriously unfriendly and will open fire as you approach. Deal with him, then search inside his cabin. Immediately loot the Rare Shotgun leaning against the wall—it’s a unique weapon. Then, check the drawers to find Torn Treasure Map Piece 1.
Next, travel to West Elizabeth, northwest of Wallace Station. Follow the Little Creek River to a secluded cabin where the Female Hermit lives. She’ll sic her three dogs on you the moment you get close. Dispatch the dogs and the hermit, then head inside. Search the drawers to claim Torn Treasure Map Piece 2.
Use Dead Eye to quickly handle the dogs at the Female Hermit's cabin. They're fast and can overwhelm you if you're not prepared.
Once you have both pieces, they will automatically combine in your inventory to form the complete Mended Map. This new map points to a cave in the scorching deserts of New Austin.
Claim Otis Miller’s Treasure
Here’s the catch: the treasure cave is located in Rattlesnake Hollow, a region north of Armadillo in New Austin. For most of the main story, this area is locked under the threat of relentless bounty hunters. You can only safely and freely explore New Austin during the Epilogue.
When you finally can travel there, make your way to Rattlesnake Hollow along the state line. Find the small cave entrance and head inside. Search the chest at the back to claim your rewards: the unique Otis Miller’s Revolver and 5 Erotic Photographs. The revolver is a powerful, ornate weapon for your collection, while the photographs contribute to your total compendium completion.
This treasure hunt won’t make you rich, but it will arm you with a unique piece of the game’s history and check off some tough collectibles. With the hermits dealt with and the revolver in hand, you’ve secured one of Red Dead Redemption 2’s most secluded secrets.
Additional Treasure Map Solutions and Killer Clues
Before you ride off into the sunset, there are a few final, smaller treasures to wrap up—including a chilling side quest that’s more about catching a killer than finding gold.
Chick’s Treasure Map
While not part of the grand treasure hunts, Chick’s Treasure Map is a quick, story-integrated reward. You’ll get this automatically during the Chapter 2 main mission “Money Lending and Other Sins.” After confronting the debtor Chick Matthews, he’ll give you the map. It leads to a hole in a tree not far away, containing a modest $35. It’s a small sum, but it contributes to your camp’s funds if you donate it to the tithing box.
The Killer Clues & American Dreams
This isn't a treasure hunt for money, but for justice—and it’s one of Red Dead Redemption 2’s most memorable Stranger Missions. Starting in Chapter 2, you can find three gruesome murder scenes, each holding a piece of a map leading to the killer.
- Killer Clue 1 is south of Valentine, under a railroad bridge. Look for a severed head on a pike; search it to find the first clue.
- Killer Clue 2 is west of Shady Belle in Lemoyne. You’ll find a mutilated body lashed to a tree; searching it yields the second clue.
- Killer Clue 3 is south of Wallace Station in West Elizabeth. Look for a body pinned to a rock with a knife; search it for the final clue.
Use Eagle Eye ([R3]) liberally around these areas. The blood trails and disturbed ground glow, making the grim scenes much easier to spot from a distance.
Once you have all three clues, the completed map points you to Lucky’s Cabin in the woods southwest of Valentine. Inside, you’ll find a trapdoor leading to a cellar. Here, you’ll confront Edmund Lowry Jr., the serial killer, and unlock the “American Dreams” Stranger Mission. Dealing with him concludes the hunt and rewards you with $20, a unique knife, and a profoundly dark tale.
Your Treasure Hunting Legacy
With these final tasks complete, you’ve truly mastered the art of the hunt in Red Dead Redemption 2. From the snowy peaks of Ambarino to the swamps of Bayou Nwa, you’ve followed every clue, outsmarted every hermit, and claimed fortunes that would make any outlaw legend proud. Whether you spent your gold on the finest horse at the stable or just enjoyed the thrill of the chase, your satchel is heavier and your story is richer for it. Now, the map is truly yours to explore.
