You’re riding through the snowy, brutal landscape of Ambarino. Your horse is shivering. You’ve just found a weird frozen corpse or a hidden chest, and suddenly, you’re holding a piece of parchment that promises gold. This is the start of the Poisonous Trail treasure hunt in Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s one of the most lucrative side activities in the game, but honestly, it’s also one of the most frustrating if you don’t know where to look. Most players breeze through the first map only to hit a brick wall when they need to find the Poisonous Trail Map 2.
It’s not just you.
The sketch on that second map is notoriously vague. It looks like some deformed mounds of earth and a few stick-figure trees. In a game world as massive as Rockstar’s version of the American West, finding one specific rock formation is like finding a needle in a haystack—except the haystack is several states wide and full of outlaws trying to shoot you.
Where the Hell is the Second Map?
To get your hands on the Poisonous Trail Map 2, you first have to survive the trip to Cairn Lake. This is way up north in the Grizzlies West. You’ll find it in a small cabin. Look under the bed. Seriously, it's just sitting there in a lockbox. Once you have that first map, it directs you toward a place called Face Rock.
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Face Rock is in Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. It's just north of Rhodes. If you look at the rock from the right angle, it actually looks like a human profile. It’s kinda creepy, actually. You aren't looking for the rock itself to progress, though. You’re looking for a hollow tree trunk nearby. Stick your hand in there, and boom—you’ve got the second map.
Now the real headache begins.
The second map shows a strange, serpent-like mound. This isn't just a random drawing; it’s a direct reference to a real-world location, or at least a Rockstar-ified version of one. You need to head to Van Horn. Specifically, you’re looking for a hill just west of the Van Horn Trading Post.
Decoding the Serpent Mound
The location depicted on the Poisonous Trail Map 2 is the "Serpent Mound." If you’re a history buff, you might recognize this as a nod to the Great Serpent Mound in Ohio. In the game, it’s a man-made earthwork that looks like a snake coiling across the grass.
Why do people get stuck here?
Because the map makes it look like the treasure is inside the snake’s head. It’s not. Not exactly. You have to find the "hole" in the ground near the center of the coils. There’s a pile of stones there. Most players run around the head of the snake for twenty minutes, getting frustrated because the "Search" prompt won't pop up. Trust me, stay near the middle.
The physical geography of Red Dead Redemption 2 is designed to be immersive, which is code for "it doesn't give you waypoints." You have to use your eyes. Look for the distinct curve of the earth. If you reach the abandoned trading post nearby, you’ve gone too far east. If you’re hitting the tracks, you’re too far west.
The Path to the Gold
Once you've navigated the serpent and found the third map, the journey takes you to Elysian Pool. This is where things get legendary. You aren't just looking for a hole in the ground anymore; you're going behind a waterfall.
Classic adventure movie stuff.
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The cave behind the waterfall at Elysian Pool is dark. Like, "can't see your hand in front of your face" dark. You need a lantern. If you don't have one, don't even bother. You’ll fall down a ledge and die, and Arthur (or John) deserves better than that.
Inside this cave, the Poisonous Trail Map 2 finally pays off. You’ll have to navigate a series of tunnels. Stay to the right. Then, you’ll find a small hole you have to crouch through. It feels claustrophobic. Eventually, you’ll reach a chamber with a bunch of water and some slick rocks. If you jump down to the right spot, you’ll find the prize: four Gold Bars.
In the RDR2 economy, four gold bars is a game-changer. That’s $2,000. You can buy the best horses, fully upgrade your camp, or just pay off those massive bounties you racked up by "accidentally" running over someone in Saint Denis.
Why This Hunt is Different
Most treasure hunts in the game, like the Jack Hall Gang or the Le Tresor des Morts, are pretty straightforward. They use landmarks that are easy to spot from a distance. The Poisonous Trail is different because it relies on "Earthworks."
Earthworks are subtle. They don't stand out against the horizon like a mountain peak or a weirdly shaped tree. They require you to look at the ground. It’s a brilliant bit of game design that forces you to stop galloping at full speed and actually pay attention to the terrain.
Also, it's worth noting that this hunt is available as early as Chapter 2. You don’t need to wait for the story to progress. As soon as the gang moves to Horseshoe Overlook, you can head north and start this. Honestly, doing it early is the best move. Having $2,000 in your pocket during the early chapters makes the game much more enjoyable because you aren't constantly grinding for pocket change.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't try to find the serpent mound at night. The shadows in this game are incredibly realistic, which means they do a great job of hiding the elevation changes of the mound. Go at noon. The sun will be directly overhead, and the shape of the snake will be much clearer.
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Also, watch out for cougars. The area around Van Horn and the hills to the west are prime cougar territory. Nothing ruins a treasure hunt like a mountain lion jumping on your back while you’re staring at a piece of paper. Keep your bolt-action rifle or a shotgun ready.
Another thing: people often confuse the Serpent Mound with the "Old Tomb" or other nearby points of interest. The Serpent Mound is specifically a grassy ridge. If you see stone walls, you're at the wrong spot.
Actionable Steps for the Hunt
- Prep Your Gear: Get a lantern and make sure your horse has plenty of stamina stimulants. The ride from the Grizzlies to Lemoyne and then to New Hanover is a long one.
- Locate Face Rock: It’s south of the "R" in "Scarlett Meadows" on your map. Look for the hollow tree to find the second map.
- Find the Snake: Go west of Van Horn. Look for the earthwork that looks like a coiled snake. The map is in the "eye" of the snake, which is represented by a pile of rocks in the center of the coil.
- The Waterfall Secret: Head to Elysian Pool. Walk straight through the waterfall. Follow the path, stay right, crouch through the small tunnel, and climb down the rocks to find your gold.
- Cashing In: Take those bars to a Fence. Don’t try to sell them at a general store; they won’t take them. Seamus at Emerald Ranch is usually the easiest bet.
Following these steps ensures you don't waste hours wandering the woods. The gold is there, waiting. You just have to be willing to look at the dirt instead of the stars. This hunt is a perfect example of why Red Dead Redemption 2 remains a masterpiece years after its release—the secrets are buried deep, and the rewards are well worth the effort.
To maximize your efficiency, always keep your "Eagle Eye" active while searching the serpent's coils; the rock pile containing the next clue will glow slightly, making it much easier to spot against the grass. Once you have the gold, prioritize spending it on the "Leather Working Tools" for Pearson or the "Fast Travel" map for Arthur’s lodging to save yourself hours of manual riding across the map in later chapters.