The Best Secrets Hidden In Red Dead Redemption 2's Map (2024)

Rockstar Games recently teased the end of further updates for Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online. This upset some fans, which only highlighted the ongoing love for the western open-world action-adventure game. The tease could mean good news for fans hoping for a sequel, though players are still continuing to explore the world of Red Dead Redemption 2.

The ongoing exploration is partly because there are several hidden locations and secrets included in Red Dead Redemption2’s map. While most experienced players might have found all the secrets hidden in RDR2, there are still a few who have yet to uncover some of the best secrets and hidden locations in the hit game.

Updated February 11, 2024, by Joshua M. Patton: What makes Red Dead Redemption 2 such a beloved game is the attention to detail that makes the world feel alive. Take Arthur Morgan or John Marston up to a mountaintop, equip their binoculars and players might see any number of stunning things. Groups of wolves will spawn and play together like pups. Raptors will swoop down to a river or pond, flying off with a fish in its talons. There are any number of amazing things to discover, but these are some of the most interesting finds on the RDR2 map. This article has been updated to match CBR's current formatting standards.

13 The Tiny Church May Be Haunted By A Bell-Ringing Ghost

There is something inherently more creepy about abandoned places of worship over other types of buildings. Perhaps it's because it feels so wrong, as though God (of whichever denomination it may be) has even abandoned somewhere that should have remained protected. Enter the Tiny Church in RDR2, situated East of Lakay and just North of Saint-Denis. This area is full of night folk and swamp creatures, so players should be on their guard.

A small, white and unassuming building in the middle of a swamp, approaching players may hear the church bells long before they arrive at the location. These bells will stop when the player arrives, while the church itself contains a few items, including a golden crucifix and an altar. Yet, behind the church is a tree with white markings drawn on the trunk. Finding it triggers the faint sound of the ringing bell, but there is no one to be seen.

12 The Cave Of Statues Is One Of The Game’s More Lucrative Puzzles

There are a bunch of puzzles to solve and proverbial breadcrumb trails to follow in Red Dead Redemption 2, but few are as lucrative and accessible in the earlier game as the Cave of Statues. Players who make the journey to the cave will find the trip was worth it because a reward of three gold bars awaits those who solve the riddle of the statues. Players can find a drawing of the statues with the solution at Window Rock, but one doesn't need to go there first.

Found to the East of Donner Falls next to a little place called Ambarino, it's actually a relatively safe location, despite the creepy vibe that hangs over the whole place. With money highly limited at the start, it's a very handy detour for those looking to accumulate wealth quickly. To retrieve the gold bars, press the buttons on the statues holding up 2, 3, 5, and 7 fingers, though the final statue only has one arm. Once this is done correctly, players can retrieve the gold from the statue in the middle of the circle.

Rockstar Games has included a few of the same things in almost every popular release that fans have come to expect. Aliens and the mystery of UFOs have appeared in games like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. However, the Western open world has also included quite a few references to Bigfoot, which ultimately ended with the hunt of the mythical creature in RDR1.

Red Dead Redemption 2 featured a couple of nods to the Bigfoot legend in the game. Players can not only find the giant skeleton, believed to be a Yeti, in the mountains, but they can also find a unique cave hidden in the northern mountains of Ambarino. A giant rock blocks the cave entrance, yet players can still chat with the mysterious being who is assumed to be Bigfoot himself. Players can have two unique conversations, with the second taking place three in-game days after the first.

10 The Gory Serial Killer's Cabin Can Only Be Found By Following Map Clues

Players can encounter quite a few mysteries as they move through the old west regions like New Hanover and West Elizabeth. One of the first and most dangerous mysteries can only be found by investigating a body on the map near Valentine. Players will find removed body parts along with a bloody map and clues that look like they are out of a True Crime documentary about serial killers.

Once all the murder scenes are found and players put together the map clues, they can solve the mystery of the serial killer. The map points to the location of the serial killer’s hidden underground cabin. Inside, they will find a grotesque collection of bodies and organs before having to fight for their lives against the murderous killer.

9 The Aberdeen Pig Farm Is A Map Location Players Might Regret Visiting

Located near the railroad in the Scarlett Meadows section of Lemoyne County is an unmarked cabin on the map. After players venture near the cabin, it appears on the map as the Aberdeen Pig Farm. The owner will invite players in for a drink, a meal, and some conversation with his wife, though not everything is as friendly as it seems.

They are actually murderous thieves who drug, rob, and kill anyone unfortunate enough to accept their offer. While the player can escape their dark fate and return for revenge, it still stands as one of the map’s most dangerous secrets. Thankfully, players can retrieve their money and belongings after returning to kill the incestuous couple. Some players save this side quest until right before Arthur's final mission. When the game switches to John Marston, he can return to the farm, dispatch the couple, and retrieve Arthur's money.

8 Players Can Take A Sip From The Witch's Cauldron If They Are Brave

There are a few hidden locations in Red Dead Redemption 2 that can only be found through intense exploration or through specific directions. One of these locations is the Witch’s Hut, which can be found slightly above the "N" of Ambarino on the map. The player will note it as the Witch’s Cauldron in his journal due to the vat of bubbling liquid within.

A mysterious raven will watch Arthur Morgan (or later characters) during their time inside the Witch’s Hut. If they choose to drink from the Witch’s Cauldron, they will find themselves completely refreshed but transported a distance away from the Witch’s Cauldron. While this location isn’t available in RDO, strange sounds can still be heard at the same spot on the map.

7 A Man Who Believes Himself To Be Lucifer Can Be Found At Devil's Cave

A hidden tunnel exists west of Mt. Shann, near Hanging Dog Ranch, that will lead players to a unique secret. After entering the tunnel, they will encounter a Cave Hermit who threatens them. He insists he is the Devil, and he spurned society years ago the same way that society spurned him for his beliefs.

Players can interact with the cave hermit a few times, where they will ultimately learn that he isn’t, in fact, the devil. The cave hermit only wishes he was Lucifer, which is why he styled his hair to resemble a pair of horns on his head. It’s an unusual encounter that can be easily missed by most fans who aren’t checking every inch of the mountain’s cliffside walls.

6 The Mysterious Hill Home In Grizzlies East Looks Like A Hobbit’s House

There are a few homesteads, cabins, and locations that players aren’t able to enter, which only increases the mystery of the map locations. Grizzlies East is the location of the Mysterious Hill Home, which might look more familiar to fans of The Lord of the Rings. The Hill Home sits under a mossy hill in the ground, much like the Hobbits’ dwellings from J.R.R. Tolkien’s tale.

The Mysterious Hill Home also features a symbol on the roof. The Chelonian cult encountered by the player a few times over the course of the game also uses the symbol. It is a beautiful sight that has stopped a few explorative RDR2 players. It’s so beautiful that Arthur Morgan’s grave can later be found near the Hill Home after his tragic death.

5 Players Can Visit The Ever-Changing Cursed House For A Familiar Scare

Players can find a dilapidated cabin near Caliga Hall in the Bayou Nwa region of the map. While it looks like it’s been abandoned for years from the outside, what's inside may shock players. Entering the Bayall Edge cabin, players find a fully furnished house complete with story clues and nods to the previous Red Dead Redemption game, which is technically a prequel to RDR2.

Scribbled notes reveal clues about the house’s owner and a curse laid on the town of Armadillo that plays into the larger story. Players will also find paintings that change based on the character’s honor level. The central painting becomes more finished with each visit. It ultimately reveals RDR1’s Strange Man, who can show up in the mirror for an unforgettable jump scare.

4 The Satanic Ritual Cabin Carries a Bizarre Unknown Mystery

A lot of Red Dead Redemption 2 secrets revolve around the demonic and occult, with many ritual sites and satanic worshippers available to be discovered throughout the map. One of these is in Butcher's Creek, a town that's more accessible in the later game and is filled with people hiding from the long arm of the law or those with personal vendettas.

To the north of the town is an abandoned and dilapidated shack that appears normal at first glance. Head back there between the hours of 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., however, and players can see a glowing red pentagram underneath the homestead. What its exact meaning is remains a mystery, with some speculating it carries a connection to the Strange Man.

3 Marko Dragic’s Robot Can Be Found Resting At The Edge Of RDR2’s Map

Players will encounter an eccentric scientist in Saint Denis named Marko Dragic. He will invite Arthur Morgan to visit his laboratory and take on a series of missions. Those missions end with the reveal that Dragic created the first robotic automaton. Unfortunately, the groundbreaking invention also resulted in the scientist’s shocking death.

However, that isn’t the end of Marko Dragic’s story. Players can explore the mountains on the far edge of the map to find a trail. Following that trail will take them to the final resting place of Dragic’s robot, which wandered across the mountains after being brought to life. This minor detail brings closure while giving players the opportunity to take a beautiful photograph.

2 The Suicide Cult’s Cabin Is Also The Setting For A Terrifying UFO Visit

As previously mentioned, Rockstar frequently adds minor details about characters like Bigfoot to the games. The most common by far is the use of aliens and UFOs. Players can encounter not one, but two different alien ships throughout Red Dead Redemption 2 that might delight and terrify fans of UFO movies like Nope.

The first is found on the top of Mt. Shann around two in the morning. The second comes after discovering a suicide cult in a cabin called Hani’s Bethel that can be found in the Heartlands of New Hanover. This suicide cult reveals that players who stay in the cabin until 3 AM will witness a close encounter outside the shack.

1 The Ghost Train Of Lemoyne County Can Only Be Seen At A Certain Time

One of the best secrets hidden in Red Dead Redemption 2's map can be found at a certain time and in a certain place. Players will have to head to the northwest region of Lemoyne County in Scarlett Meadows. They can follow the railroad tracks there until they come to the sign that welcomes visitors to the town of Lemoyne. This event can only be triggered once so don't miss it.

Once the location is found, players will have to wait until around 3 AM in-game time. The train doesn’t always show up on the first try, so players might have to sleep and wait for the next night. However, the horse’s reaction will alert players prior to the train’s arrival. Players can even follow the spectral train on its late-night voyage for a short period before it disappears again.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Played from afirst-orthird-personperspective, the game is set in anopen-worldenvironment featuring a fictionalized version ofthe United States in 1899.

Franchise

Platform(s)

PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Stadia

Released

October 26, 2018

Developer(s)

Rockstar Games

Genre(s)

Action , Adventure

Engine

RAGE

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol