You’re standing on a cliffside. The wind is howling through the Grizzlies, and you’re squinting at a crumbly piece of parchment that looks like it was drawn by a caffeinated toddler. If you're hunting for the Jack Hall Map 2 location in Red Dead Redemption 2, you know exactly how frustrating this specific step is. It’s arguably the most famous treasure hunt in the game, mostly because it’s the first one many players encounter after meeting the eccentric Maximo Valdespino near Flatneck Station.
But here’s the thing.
Most people get stuck because the drawing on the second map is intentionally misleading. It depicts Cotorra Springs, but the perspective is skewed in a way that makes the "X" look like it's right in the middle of a geyser. It isn't. If you run into the steam, you’re just going to get scorched and lose health.
Where Exactly Is the Jack Hall Map 2 Location?
To find the actual spot, you need to head to the northern part of the map, specifically the area labeled Cotorra Springs in Ambarino. It’s just northeast of Wallace Station and west of Bacchus Bridge. When you arrive, you’ll see a series of sulfur pools and active geysers. The smell is probably terrible for Arthur, but the loot is worth the nasal assault.
The sketch on the map shows a group of rock formations that look like "chimneys" or stone stacks. Honestly, once you’re standing in the circle of geysers, look for the rock piles that form a sort of perimeter. The treasure isn't in the water. It’s tucked inside one of these stone stacks. Specifically, look for the stack that has a hollowed-out base or a loose rock you can interact with.
You’ve gotta be precise.
Walk up to the stacks in the middle of the geyser field. There is one specific pile of rocks that prompts a "Search" button. When Arthur reaches in, he doesn't find gold—not yet. He finds the third and final map. This is where the quest line actually starts to pay off, leading you toward O'Creagh's Run, but we're focusing on getting you through this middle hurdle first.
Common Mistakes at Cotorra Springs
The biggest mistake? Looking for a chest. There is no chest. Red Dead’s treasure hunts are rarely about big wooden boxes sitting out in the open. They’re about "interactable points" hidden in the geometry of the world.
Another issue is timing. If you go at night or during a heavy Ambarino snowstorm, you won't see the rock formations clearly. The geyser steam blends into the fog, and you’ll find yourself wandering in circles while your horse gets agitated by nearby wolves. Do this hunt at noon. The shadows make the rock stacks pop against the bright yellow sulfur pools.
The Reality of the Rewards
Is it worth the ride? Yeah.
Completing the entire Jack Hall Gang sequence nets you two Gold Bars. Back in the 1899 economy, those are worth $500 each at a Fence. That’s a massive influx of cash early in the game. You can buy the Springfield Rifle, upgrade your camp's medicine wagon, and still have enough left over for a fancy coat in Saint Denis.
But you can't get there without clearing the hurdle of Jack Hall Map 2.
The game doesn't hold your hand here. There are no waypoints. No yellow circles on your mini-map. It’s pure exploration. This is Rockstar’s way of teaching you how to read the landscape. You aren't looking for a "game objective"; you’re looking for a landmark that matches a drawing.
A Quick Refresher on the Quest Chain
If you’re reading this and realized you haven’t even started, or maybe you killed Maximo and forgot to loot him (you can still buy the map from a Fence later, don't worry), here is how the flow works:
- Map 1: Found at Caliban’s Seat. You have to scale the mountain and shimmy along a very narrow ledge.
- Map 2: This is the one leading to Cotorra Springs.
- Map 3: This takes you to the middle of a lake at O'Creagh's Run.
The jump from Map 1 to Map 2 is the biggest leap in difficulty. Caliban’s Seat is a massive landmark you can see from miles away. Cotorra Springs is tucked away in the woods and requires you to navigate some fairly rugged terrain. If you see the legendary wolf icon on your map, you’re in the right neighborhood. Just watch your back.
Tactical Tips for the Hunt
Bring a fast horse. The ride from the heartlands up to Ambarino is long and the temperature drops fast. Make sure you have your winter coat stored on your horse. If Arthur is shivering, his stamina core drains faster, making the climb around the rock stacks more annoying than it needs to be.
Also, watch out for the train tracks nearby. The Bacchus Bridge area is high up, and it's easy to accidentally wander onto the tracks while looking at your map.
Once you reach the stone stacks at Cotorra Springs:
- Look for the formation that looks like three or four rocks stacked vertically.
- Circle the base of each stack.
- Watch for the white "Search" prompt in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Moving Toward the Final Prize
After you grab the third map from the Jack Hall Map 2 location, your next stop is the Grizzlies East. O'Creagh's Run is one of the most beautiful spots in the game, named after a character you might meet later (Hamish Sinclair). The treasure is on a tiny island in the center of the lake.
Don't try to swim to it if your stamina is low. You will drown.
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The water is cold, and the distance is deceptive. Use a rowboat if you can find one, or make sure your horse has high enough stamina to make the trip across. Once you reach that island, look under a rock on the grassy patch. That’s where the gold is. Two bars. $1,000 total.
Actionable Next Steps
To wrap this up and get your gold, follow these exact steps:
- Check your satchel to ensure you actually have the second map open; Arthur needs to "examine" it for the search prompt at Cotorra Springs to become active.
- Ride to Ambarino, specifically the area between Window Rock and Bacchus Bridge.
- Locate the rock stacks near the geysers. Ignore the geysers themselves.
- Search the stack on the western side of the geyser cluster to find Map 3.
- Head to O'Creagh's Run immediately to claim your $1,000 prize before bounty hunters or random encounters distract you.
Buying the reinforced off-hand holster or upgrading your camp’s lodging should be your first priority with the cash. It changes the pace of the early game significantly.