Red Dead Redemption 2 is basically a giant onion. You peel back one layer of cowboy shootouts and suddenly you're staring at a tree with a face carved into it or hunting a legendary moose in a blizzard. But the rdr2 elemental trail map? That’s a different beast entirely. It’s one of those late-game treasures that most people miss because, honestly, the game doesn't exactly hold your hand. You have to be in the right place at the right time—specifically, you need to have reached the Epilogue. If you're still playing as Arthur, sorry, but this gold isn't for you yet.
You've got to be John Marston.
The journey starts way out west. Most players spend their time in the lush forests of Lemoyne or the snowy peaks of Ambarino, but the rdr2 elemental trail map forces you into the dust and heat of New Austin. It’s a scavenger hunt that rewards you with a Gold Bar, which, in the post-game economy, is a nice chunk of change for upgrading your ranch or just buying a fancy new horse.
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Where the Hell is the First Map?
You won't find this on a corpse in a random encounter. Well, technically you do, but it’s a very specific corpse. Head over to the Sea of Coronado. It’s the furthest southwest point on the map. If you hit the water, you’ve gone too far. Look for a ridge overlooking the water. You’re looking for a body hanging from a wooden structure—it looks like a makeshift gallows.
Shoot the rope.
The body drops, and you can loot it to find the first piece of the puzzle. The sketch on the paper is vague. It shows a chimney. Not exactly helpful in a world full of abandoned cabins, right? But if you look closely, it’s a very specific chimney located at a place called San Luis Rising.
Tracking the Chimney
Ride east from the Sea of Coronado. You’re looking for a ruined building near the shoreline of the San Luis River. It’s a lonely spot. When you find the stone chimney standing amongst the charred remains of a house, walk up to it. There’s a loose brick. Interact with it, and boom—you’ve got the second map.
The game’s internal logic for these maps is kinda brilliant. They don't give you GPS coordinates. They give you a drawing of a landscape feature. This second one shows an elevated pathway or a bridge-like structure. If you’ve spent any time exploring the desert, you might recognize the Benedict Point area.
The Central Hub: Benedict Point
Benedict Point is a small rail stop. It’s dusty. It’s boring. But just north of it, there’s a water tank and some elevated wooden walkways. This is where people usually get stuck. You’re looking for a specific spot on the conveyor-like structure.
Climb up. You’ll need to walk along the narrow wooden beams. It’s a bit finicky—John isn't exactly a gymnast—but eventually, you’ll find a small hole in the wood where the next map is tucked away.
This third map is the one that actually mentions the "elements." It shows a grave. But not just any grave. It’s a grave with a specific cross design located in a cemetery.
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The Final Dig at Coot's Chapel
Coot's Chapel is a creepy little church southeast of Armadillo. It’s classic Western gothic. The cemetery is small, but the rdr2 elemental trail map points to a very specific plot.
Look for the grave on the left side of the chapel (if you’re facing the front door). There’s a stone grave with a distinct cross. You’ll see a "Dig" prompt. Do it.
You’ll pull up a box. Inside? One Gold Bar and a Crow's Claw Talisman.
Wait. Why a talisman?
The Crow's Claw Talisman is actually a permanent buff. It slows down the degradation of your weapons by 10%. It’s not game-breaking, but in a game where your guns get dirty if you even look at a puddle, it’s a massive quality-of-life improvement.
Why This Map Matters More Than Others
Most treasure hunts in RDR2, like the Jack Hall Gang or the Poisonous Trail, are available early on. They’re designed to get Arthur Morgan rich so he can buy all the outfits in Saint Denis. The rdr2 elemental trail map is different because it’s a New Austin exclusive.
It feels like a reward for the players who stuck through the emotional ringer of the main story. It’s a reason to explore the desert. New Austin is notoriously empty compared to the rest of the game—a remnant of the first Red Dead's map that feels a bit like a ghost town—so these little breadcrumbs are essential.
Some players think the "Elemental" part of the name implies something supernatural. It doesn't. There are no ghosts (well, not in this specific quest) and no magic spells. It’s just a name. Maybe it refers to the elements of the earth—water, fire (the burnt house), and earth (the grave).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to find it as Arthur: You can't. The "invisible sniper" or the bounty hunters will get you the moment you cross the Lower Montana River. There are glitches to get Arthur into New Austin, but they are incredibly tedious and often patched out. Just wait for the Epilogue.
- Missing the body: The body at the Sea of Coronado can sometimes be hard to see against the sun. Use your binoculars or Eagle Eye.
- The Chimney Glitch: Sometimes the "Search" prompt on the chimney doesn't appear. If this happens, ride away a fair distance, camp, sleep, and come back. It usually resets the interaction point.
The Economic Reality of 1907
By the time you reach the point where you can hunt the rdr2 elemental trail map, you might already have a fair bit of money from the final heist of the main game. So, is one Gold Bar worth the ride across the desert?
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Probably.
Red Dead is about the journey. The sense of discovery when you match a crude drawing on a piece of yellowed paper to a real-life rock formation is unmatched. It makes the world feel tactile. Real.
Plus, the Crow’s Claw Talisman is a unique item. You can’t buy it. You can't craft it at a fence without the component found in this specific treasure hunt. If you're a completionist aiming for that 100% trophy, this isn't optional.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you’re sitting at your console right now, here is exactly how to knock this out in twenty minutes.
First, fast travel to Tumbleweed. It’s the closest town to the start. Grab your fastest horse—the Silver Turkoman or the Rose Grey Bay Arabian. Ride west to the Sea of Coronado.
Look for the "X" on your mini-map indicating a corpse. Shoot it down.
Once you have the first map, don't just wander. Follow the coastline east. The chimney is at San Luis Rising, which is basically a straight shot along the river.
After the chimney, head north toward Benedict Point. The water tower is the landmark you need.
Finally, ride east to Coot's Chapel. It’s just south of the main road leading into Armadillo. Dig up the grave, grab the gold, and immediately head to the nearest Fence (there’s one in Rhodes or Saint Denis, or the traveling fence near Emerald Ranch) to sell the gold and ensure the talisman is active.
Check your "Player" menu under "General" to confirm the weapon degradation buff is applied. Now your Cattleman Revolver won't turn into a rusty paperweight every time you walk through a dust storm.