You're probably freezing. If you've started hunting for the Poisonous Trail Map RDR2 locations, you are likely standing in the knee-deep snow of Ambarino, wondering why Rockstar Games hates you. Most people stumble onto the first map while looking for Flaco Hernandez during the "The Noblest of Men, and a Woman" side quest. It’s tucked away in a cabin at Cairn Lake. It’s cold. It’s lonely. And honestly, the sketch on that first piece of paper is a total mess.
Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn't hold your hand. This isn't a modern waypoint-fest where a golden line leads you to the loot. No, this treasure hunt is one of the most cryptic in the entire game. It’s also one of the most lucrative. We are talking about four gold bars. That’s $2,000 in 1899 money. To put that in perspective, a decent horse costs about $150 and a can of baked beans is roughly five cents. You want this gold.
The First Map: Cairn Lake’s Frigid Secret
You have to go to the northwest. Up past Colter, where the game started. There’s a tiny, miserable shack on the frozen shores of Cairn Lake. If you haven't killed Flaco Hernandez yet, he’ll be there. If you have, the shack is probably empty, save for a few cans of salmon and the first Poisonous Trail Map RDR2 players usually find. Look under the bed. It’s in a lockbox.
The sketch shows a face in a rock. It looks like something out of a nightmare, or maybe just a very frustrated geologist’s sketchbook. This is Face Rock. You’ll find it in Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. It’s just west of Ringneck Creek. When you get there, the resemblance is actually uncanny. The earth literally looks like it’s screaming at the sky.
Walk past the "forehead" of the rock and head down the hill toward the south. You’re looking for a hollow tree trunk. It’s dead. It’s grey. It looks like every other dead tree in the South until you see the hole in the side. Stick your hand in there. Arthur (or John, depending on where you are in the story) will pull out the second map.
Decoding the Second Map: Scarface and the Snakes
The second map is even weirder. It shows a series of mounds that look like a serpent. This is a direct reference to the real-world Serpent Mound in Ohio, but in the world of Red Dead, it’s located at Face Rock’s neighbor: Copperhead Landing. Well, specifically, it's just west of Van Horn Trading Post.
Search for a place on your map called "Elysian Pool." This area is cursed. Literally. The water is murky, the fish are deformed, and the local wildlife looks like it’s seen better days. Just north of the pool, you’ll find a ridge with a series of stone mounds.
Finding the Hole in the Ground
You’re looking for a very specific mound that looks like a snake’s head. There’s a hole right in the "eye" of the serpent. Reach in.
- Check your stamina before doing this.
- Make sure it’s daylight; it's easy to trip over the rocks at night.
- The map is tucked deep inside.
Now you have the final piece of the puzzle. This is where things get genuinely dangerous. You aren't just looking for a tree or a rock anymore. You are going underground.
The Final Descent into Elysian Pool
Go back to the waterfall at Elysian Pool. Yes, you have to go through it. Walk straight into the water behind the falling curtain. It’s dark. It’s damp. It’s creepy as hell. If you don't have a lantern, stop right now. Go back to your horse, grab your lantern, and come back. You cannot do this in the dark. You will fall, and you will die.
Once you’re behind the falls, follow the tunnel. It’s a bit of a squeeze. Eventually, the path splits. You want to stay to the right. You’ll come to a steep drop-off. Don't just jump. Look for a small ledge on the right side. You have to crouch and shimmy along the wall. It’s claustrophobic. The ambient noise in this cave is designed to make you feel like the ceiling is about to collapse.
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You’ll reach a chamber with a massive pit. This is the "Leap of Faith" moment. You need to drop down onto a lower platform. If you miss, you’re starting back at the entrance of the cave. Once you’re down there, look for a small hole in the wall. You have to crawl.
The Reward
At the end of this crawlspace, you’ll find a hidden chamber. It’s filled with water and weird rock formations. In the center, there’s a pile of rocks. This is it. The Poisonous Trail Map RDR2 final location. Search the rocks.
Four gold bars.
Why This Quest Matters for Your Playthrough
Most players struggle with money in the early game. You’re constantly donating to the camp, buying ammo, and paying off bounties because you accidentally ran over a dog in Saint Denis. This treasure hunt solves that. $2,000 is enough to fully upgrade the camp, buy the best guns, and still have enough left over for a fancy suit and a night at the theater.
But it’s not just about the money. The Poisonous Trail is one of the best examples of Rockstar’s environmental storytelling. The way the maps transition from the frozen north to the humid south and finally into the decaying heart of the New Hanover woods is brilliant. It forces you to see the diversity of the map.
A Few Pro-Tips for the Journey
- The Murfree Brood: The area around Elysian Pool is Murfree Brood territory. They are gross. They are violent. They will set traps for you. Keep your shotgun loaded.
- Legendary Fish: While you’re at Elysian Pool for the final map, you might as well catch the Legendary Perch. Just don't eat it. It’s "poisonous," hence the name of the trail.
- The Trapper: There’s a Trapper location not too far from the Face Rock area. If you hunt some elk on your way down from the mountains, you can drop off the pelts before you head into the cave.
What to Do with the Gold
Don't just sit on those bars. Take them to a Fence. There’s one in Emerald Ranch, which is a relatively short ride from Elysian Pool. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, head into Saint Denis. Fences are the only NPCs who will buy gold bars from you.
Once you have the cash, prioritize your horse. A Rose Grey Bay Arabian or a Missouri Fox Trotter will change how you play the game. Speed matters. Stamina matters. Also, buy the Leather Working Tools for Pearson at camp. It lets you craft the Legend of the East satchel, which is arguably the most important item in the game because it lets you carry 99 of almost everything.
How to Handle the "Glitched" Map Issues
Sometimes, the map doesn't trigger. It’s rare, but it happens. If you go to Cairn Lake and the lockbox won't open, leave the area, sleep for 24 hours, and come back. Also, make sure you aren't currently in a high-intensity mission. The game sometimes "locks" world interactions if a story beat is active nearby.
The Poisonous Trail Map RDR2 is a rite of passage. It’s the difference between a player who just follows the yellow icons and a player who actually inhabits the world. It’s grueling, it’s muddy, and you’ll probably get bitten by a snake at least once. But when you see those four bars of gold sitting in the dirt of a cave, it’s all worth it.
Actionable Next Steps
- Head to Cairn Lake immediately: If you’re in Chapter 2 or later, this should be your first stop.
- Equip the Lantern: You can find it in your weapon wheel under the knife slot. You'll need it for the final cave.
- Visit the Fence in Emerald Ranch: Sell the gold as soon as you get it to avoid losing progress or forgetting about it.
- Check your Satchel: Ensure you have enough space for the maps; though they don't take up much room, it’s good practice.
- Watch your step: The descent into the Elysian Pool cave is slippery. Slow and steady wins the $2,000.