You’re standing on a riverbank in Hope County, seventeen years after the world ended, and honestly, it’s beautiful. Pink flowers everywhere. Mutated deer. But you aren’t here for the scenery; you’re here because you found a note at a place called its-not-even-a-camp, just a spot on the map. This is the Far Cry New Dawn Go With The Flow treasure hunt. It’s one of the early puzzles that hits you with a "wait, what?" moment because the game doesn't just hand you a waypoint. You have to actually look.
Most people play Far Cry like a wrecking ball. You run in, you shoot the guys with the pink mohawks, you blow up an ethanol tanker, and you move on. But these treasure hunts are different. They require a bit of patience. If you’re rushing, you’re going to miss the entire point of how Ubisoft designed this post-apocalyptic scavenger hunt. The goal isn't just the loot at the end—though the Perk Points and Far Cry Credits are definitely why we do it—it's about following a trail that feels like someone actually lived there before the bombs dropped.
Finding the Note and Starting the Flow
To get things moving, you need to head to the location marked on your map as "Go With The Flow." It’s situated just east of the main river that carves through the map, south of the ruined bridge. You’ll find a small cave entrance or a shack area with a yellow box. Inside that box is the note. Read it. It talks about a stash and a river. This is where the Far Cry New Dawn Go With The Flow quest officially begins, and it’s where most players start overthinking things.
Don't.
The game is literally telling you what to do in the title. You need to follow the water. I’ve seen people try to climb the cliffs or search the nearby woods for hours, thinking there’s a secret cave hidden behind some brush. There isn't. The "flow" refers to the literal movement of the river. Look for the white flags. Those flags are your breadcrumbs.
Tracking the White Flags Downstream
This part of the mission is actually pretty chill if you aren't being chased by a Level 3 Cougar. You just walk along the riverbank. Sometimes you'll need to jump over a few rocks. The white flags are placed fairly clearly, but they blend into the bright, "superbloom" aesthetic of New Dawn if you aren't paying attention. It’s a clever bit of level design. The world is so saturated with color that white—usually the most obvious "video game" color for a path—actually becomes a bit of a camouflage.
As you head downstream, keep an eye out for a campfire and a bridge. This is where the path gets a little more specific. You’re looking for a cave. Not just any cave, but one tucked away behind a waterfall.
Classic, right?
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Every game since the 90s has put something behind a waterfall, and Far Cry New Dawn isn't about to break that tradition. But even knowing it's there, it's easy to walk right past it if you're sprinting. You’ll find a small opening near the base of the falls. Once you step inside, the atmosphere shifts instantly from the bright, sunny apocalypse to that damp, cramped feeling Far Cry does so well.
The Cave Mechanics and The Loot
Inside the cave, it’s dark. You’ll want to pull out your flashlight, which should kick on automatically, but sometimes it’s finicky. This isn't a combat zone, so relax. You're looking for a way to reach the stash that's tucked up on a ledge.
- Look for the grapple point. If you haven't unlocked the Grapple perk yet, you're going to feel pretty silly. Honestly, it should be the first thing you buy in the game anyway.
- Swing across the gap. The physics in New Dawn are a bit floaty compared to Far Cry 5, so don't jump too early.
- At the end of the tunnel, you’ll find the motherlode.
The stash contains three Perk Magazines. That’s three free points to dump into your skills. In the early game, that’s huge. It's the difference between carrying one weapon and finally unlocking that second holster so you don't have to choose between a silenced pistol and a shovel-launcher. You also get some Far Cry Credits—the premium currency you can use to buy those flashy "Elite" tier weapons if you don't feel like grinding for materials.
Why This Mission Still Trips People Up
I think the reason Far Cry New Dawn Go With The Flow remains a top search query years after the game came out is because of the lack of a HUD marker. Modern games have conditioned us to follow a glowing golden line on the ground. When that line disappears, we panic. We start looking for complex puzzles involving levers or pressure plates.
But New Dawn is a game about "makeshift" everything. The puzzles are makeshift too. They rely on environmental storytelling. If you see a flag, go to it. If you see a river, follow it. It’s a very "analog" way of playing a digital game.
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I’ve heard some players complain that the flags don't show up well in certain lighting conditions, especially during the in-game "night" (which is more like a purple twilight). If you’re struggling to see the path, honestly, just wait for sunrise. The contrast makes the white fabric of the flags pop against the green and pink foliage. It makes the whole experience way less frustrating.
Making the Most of the Rewards
Once you’ve cleared the quest, don't just fast travel away. Look around. New Dawn’s map is a reshaped version of Far Cry 5’s Montana, and being in this specific river valley gives you a great vantage point to find other nearby activities. There’s usually a fishing spot nearby that’s great for grabbing skins to trade for components.
The Perk Points you just earned? Put them into "Tactical Binoculars" or "Grapple" if you haven't already. Or, if you're a "stealth is optional" kind of player, save them for the "More Medkits" upgrades. New Dawn’s difficulty spikes pretty hard once you start encountering the Enforcers with the yellow health bars, and you're going to want those extra syringes when the fire starts flying.
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Actionable Steps for Completion
- Check your perks first. Make sure you have the Grapple perk unlocked before you even head to the starting point. It's cheap, and you'll need it to actually reach the stash inside the cave.
- Locate the starting note. Travel to the "Go With The Flow" marker on the east side of the map. It's near a small bridge.
- Walk, don't run. Follow the river downstream. Watch for the white flags on the rocks and trees. If you lose the trail, go back to the last flag and look for the next one within a 45-degree angle of the water's flow.
- Find the waterfall. The cave is directly behind the falling water.
- Clear the cave. Use your grapple, grab the three Perk Magazines, the Far Cry Credits, and the various crafting materials scattered around the crates.
- Check the surrounding area. Before leaving, use your binoculars from the cave exit. There are often supply drops or predatory animals nearby that provide essential crafting materials for mid-game weapon tiers.
The beauty of this mission is its simplicity. It’s a reminder that even in a world that ended in nuclear fire, sometimes you just need to follow the water and see where it takes you. Grab your gear, head to the river, and get those perks. You're going to need them for what's coming next in the story.