You’ve probably been wandering around the island for hours, staring at those weird dirt mounds or the suspicious-looking graves, wishing you could just dig. It’s frustrating. You see the prompt, you know there’s loot down there—maybe even a shotgun—but you’re empty-handed. In Sons of the Forest, the shovel isn't just a tool. It's the ultimate gatekeeper. Without it, you aren't progressing the story. Period. Most players think they can just stumble upon it in a random campsite or craft it with some sticks and duct tape.
Nope. Endnight Games decided to make you work for it.
Getting the shovel in Sons of the Forest is honestly a bit of a gauntlet. You can’t just walk into a cave and pick it up. You have to conquer two other major caves first, collect specific high-tech gear, and then survive a descent into one of the most claustrophobic, mutant-infested holes on the entire map. If you're looking for a quick fix, you're out of luck. This is a multi-step journey that requires preparation, a decent amount of food, and enough flares to light up a small city.
The Gear You Need Before You Even Try
Don't even bother heading to the shovel cave if you don't have the Rebreather and the Rope Gun. I’ve seen so many people reach the cave entrance, fight through the initial wave of cannibals, and then realize they can't cross the first gap or dive into the underwater tunnels. It’s a total waste of time.
First, you need the Rebreather. It’s located in a cave on the north coast, near where the waves hit the shore. It’s relatively easy to get compared to the other items, but watch out for the sharks in the water. Once you have that, you’re halfway there.
Next is the Rope Gun (also called the Zipline Tool). This one is a nightmare. You’ll find it in the cave near the western snowy mountains. It’s a long, linear crawl filled with "sluggy" mutants and those creepy twins that move like spiders. You need this to use the zipline ropes inside the shovel cave. If you try to go for the shovel without the Rope Gun, you’ll literally just stand at the edge of a cliff inside the cave, looking down at where you need to be, unable to reach it.
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Basically, the game forces a specific order of operations. You go coast, then mountain, then forest.
Locating the Shovel Cave: Look for the Three Bodies
The cave you’re looking for is located near the center of the map, slightly to the west of the massive snowy mountain range. It’s right at the intersection of three different flowing streams. You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see three corpses impaled on wooden stakes outside the entrance. It’s a grisly landmark, but in the world of Sons of the Forest, that’s basically a neon "Welcome" sign.
Inside the Darkness
Once you squeeze through the crack in the rocks, the vibe shifts immediately. This cave is deep. It’s wet. And it’s loud. Use your Rope Gun to ride the zipline across the first massive cavern. If you fall, you’re likely dead or stuck in a pit with things you don't want to meet.
After the zipline, you’ll find a pool of water. This is where the Rebreather comes in. Dive down. The underwater tunnels are narrow, and it’s easy to get disoriented. Just keep moving forward until you find an air pocket.
The combat in here is no joke. You aren't just fighting basic cannibals. You're going to run into "Fingers"—those tall, faceless monstrosities with mouths made of fingers—and plenty of the standard blind mutants. I highly recommend bringing a crafted spear or the pistol if you’ve found it. Using fire is also a literal lifesaver. Molotovs can clear a narrow corridor in seconds, which is great because this cave is basically one long, narrow corridor of death.
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Why the Shovel Changes Everything
So, you’ve fought the mutants, swam through the dark, and finally reached the back of the cave. You’ll find the shovel in Sons of the Forest sitting near a body in a worker’s uniform, right near a massive underground construction site. Grab it.
Now the game actually starts.
With the shovel, you can finally interact with those "dig" icons on the map. This is how you find the maintenance hatches. Inside those hatches? That’s where the real gear is. We’re talking about the Fireman’s Axe, the Laser Sight, and most importantly, the Keycards.
- Maintenance A: Contains the Laser Sight and the Maintenance Keycard.
- Maintenance B: Home to the Compound Bow.
- Maintenance C: Where you’ll find the Revolver.
Without digging, you are stuck with a tactical axe and a dream. You can't enter the luxury bunkers. You can't find the golden armor. You can't finish the story. It is the single most important utility item in the game.
The Reality of Digging
One thing the game doesn't tell you is that digging is slow. If you’re trying to uncover a hatch while a raid party of cannibals is screaming at you from the treeline, you’re going to have a bad time.
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I’ve found that it’s best to clear the immediate area and maybe even toss down a small stick structure or a birdhouse to mark the spot if you need to run away and come back. When you dig, you aren't just clicking once. You have to physically move the dirt. It takes about 20 to 30 seconds of continuous shoveling to uncover a hatch fully. It sounds like a short time, but in a survival game, 30 seconds is an eternity.
Digging for Loot vs. Digging for Story
While most people focus on the hatches, don't ignore the random graves scattered around. Usually, these are marked by a wooden cross or a flat patch of disturbed earth. You’ll find some of the best early-game loot here, including cloth, medicine, and ammo. It’s a bit morbid, sure, but your survival depends on it.
Just keep an eye on your stamina. Digging drains your energy bar faster than sprinting does. If you’re tired or hungry, you’ll swing the shovel like you’re moving through molasses. Eat some dried meat, drink some water, and then get to work.
Expert Tips for Survival
Most players make the mistake of rushing into the shovel cave with just a lighter. Don't do that. The lighter’s radius is pathetic. You need the Flashlight or at least a bunch of Flares.
- Check your air: Make sure your Rebreather has an air tank attached before you dive. You can find spares in the helicopter crash sites or near the cave entrance.
- Bone Armor is king: Before entering the cave, kill some cannibals and burn them. Use their bones and some rope/tape to make Bone Armor. You will take hits in those narrow tunnels.
- The Exit is a Trap: Once you get the shovel, a "Sluggy" mutant will often block your path back out. You’ll need to use C4 or a Time Bomb (which are usually conveniently placed nearby) to blow it up and clear the exit.
The shovel cave is a test of your preparedness. If you go in under-geared, you’ll end up as just another corpse for the next player to find.
Essential Next Steps
Once the shovel is in your inventory, your priority list shifts entirely. You are no longer just surviving; you are investigating.
- Head to Maintenance A first. It’s marked as a green circle on your GPS. It’s the easiest hatch to find and provides the Maintenance Keycard, which opens up about 40% of the locked doors on the island.
- Upgrade your weaponry. Now that you can dig, go find the shotgun. It’s buried in a grave near the western beach. You’ll need it for the late-game bunkers.
- Find the Golden Armor. This is buried much deeper in the island's lore and physical locations, but the shovel is the first link in that chain.
- Stock up on buckshot. You’re going to be entering bunkers with much higher enemy densities now.
The shovel essentially marks the transition from the "early game" to the "mid-game." You’ve moved past basic survival and are now actively peeling back the layers of the island's mystery. Go to the green blips on your map, look for the dirt patches, and start digging. The shotgun and the keycards are waiting.