You just crashed. Your helicopter is a flaming wreck, Kelvin is staring blankly at a tree, and you have absolutely no idea which way is north. Welcome to Site 2. The thing about Sons of the Forest map locations is that the island is massive—roughly four times the size of the original game’s map—and it’s surprisingly empty if you don’t know where to look. Most players spend their first three hours wandering through dense brush only to find a single crate of ramen noodles and some duct tape. That’s a waste of time.
If you want to survive the first winter, you need a plan. The map isn't just a grid; it’s a vertical puzzle. You've got the snowy mountain peak in the center acting as a massive geographical divider, and the "good stuff" is tucked away in bunkers that require specific keycards you don't have yet. It's a classic Metroidvania loop dressed up as a survival horror nightmare. You can't just run to the endgame gear. You have to follow the breadcrumbs.
The Spawn Points and Your First Real Move
Where you start changes everything. If you land on the beach, you’re lucky. You’ve got immediate access to shipwrecks and a relatively flat area to build. If you land in the mountains, you're basically starting the game on "Hard Mode" because you're freezing and there's no food.
Regardless of where the game drops you, your first real goal among all Sons of the Forest map locations should be the purple GPS markers. These are the dead teammates. They have the gear you need to actually defend yourself. One is hanging from a cliff—you’ll need to climb up and cut him down to get the Flashlight. Another is out at sea on a red life raft. Swim out there (watch for the sharks, seriously) and you’ll find the Pistol.
Honestly, the Pistol is a game-changer. Until you have it, every cannibal encounter is a desperate scramble with a sharpened stick. Once you have it, you're the predator. Briefly. Until you run out of 9mm ammo, which happens faster than you'd think.
Finding the Rebreather and Rope Gun
You can't see the best parts of the island without going underground. Endnight Games designed the progression so that the Rebreather and the Rope Gun are your "gatekeeper" items.
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The Rebreather is located in a cave on the north shore. It’s a dark, damp mess filled with basic mutants, but you need it to breathe underwater. Without it, several major bunkers are literally inaccessible. The cave is easy to spot because of the two corpses sitting outside near a shallow pond. Inside, it’s mostly linear, but don't get distracted by the side paths until you've grabbed the tank.
Then there’s the Rope Gun. This is found in the "Zipline Cave" near the center-west portion of the map. This cave is a nightmare. It’s long. It’s narrow. It has a "Sluggy" (that giant wall of flesh) blocking a path that you have to blow up with a C4 brick or a grenade. Finding these Sons of the Forest map locations isn't just about walking to a coordinate; it's about being prepared for the claustrophobia. Once you have the Rope Gun, you can finally reach the Shovel.
The Shovel: The Most Important Tool You’ll Ever Find
Everything stays locked until you get the Shovel. Want the Shotgun? You need to dig. Want the Maintenance Keycard? You need to dig. The Shovel is tucked away in a cave near the base of the snowy mountain.
To get it, you must have the Rebreather and the Rope Gun already. You’ll use the zipline to cross a massive cavern, then dive into an underwater tunnel. It’s one of the most atmospheric spots in the game. When you finally find the Shovel at the end of the tunnel near a dead worker, the game truly opens up.
Suddenly, all those "Green Circles" on your GPS start to make sense. Those are dig sites.
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Why Dig Sites Matter
- Maintenance A: This is where you find the Fire Axe and the Maintenance Keycard. The Fire Axe is arguably the best melee weapon for clearing trees and splitting skulls.
- Maintenance B: Located in the southwest. Dig here for the Silencer and a 3D Printer.
- Maintenance C: This one is further east and contains the Revolver. It’s a heavy hitter, though the reload time is a bit of a drag compared to the Pistol.
The Bunkers: Luxury and Gore
The island is dotted with high-tech bunkers that look like Silicon Valley retreats gone horribly wrong. These are the premier Sons of the Forest map locations for lore hunters.
The Food and Dining Bunker is a highlight. You'll need the Maintenance Keycard to get deep inside. It’s a massive underground mall and cafeteria. You’ll find the VIP Keycard here, sitting on a desk in a security room. This keycard is your golden ticket. It unlocks the Guest Bunker, which is located further south.
The Guest Bunker is where things get weird. It’s a high-end resort with a gym, a bar, and a nightclub. It’s also where you’ll find the Guitar (a surprisingly effective weapon) and the Chainsaw. If you've ever wanted to fight off a horde of finger-faced mutants while "Hey You" plays on a loop in a neon-lit bar, this is your spot.
The Residential Bunker and the Golden Armor
As you move toward the late game, you'll head to the eastern side of the island. The Residential Bunker is hidden behind a rock face near a lake. This is a massive complex. It feels different from the others—more lived-in, and significantly more dangerous.
This is where you find the Golden Armor. In the current version of the game, the Golden Armor is a "requirement" for the final seal. You don't wear it for protection; in fact, it’s pretty terrible at absorbing damage from normal cannibals. You wear it because the ancient gold-covered doors at the end of the game won't open for anyone else.
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While you're in there, look for the Katana. It’s on a stand in one of the luxury living quarters. It’s the fastest melee weapon in the game. Most people prefer the Fire Axe for the "stagger" effect, but the Katana is pure style.
Misconceptions About the Snowy Mountain
A lot of players think the mountain is just a barrier. It’s not. While there aren't many "named" Sons of the Forest map locations on the peaks, the mountain is the fastest way to travel if you have the Knight V (the electric unicycle) or a Sled.
You can reach almost any point on the coast in under two minutes by sledding down the slopes. Just watch out for the cliffs. The mountain also houses some of the best spots for Solafite ore, which you’ll need in the endgame to upgrade your weapons. If you see a cave entrance high up in the snow, it’s usually worth checking out for the ore alone.
Navigating the Final Stretch
The ending of the game takes place at the "Luxury Bunker" on the far eastern coast. It’s a long trek. You’ll walk past a beautiful beach that looks like a vacation spot, only to realize the sand is littered with bones.
Inside this final bunker, the scale changes. Everything is gold-plated. The technology is alien. You’ll need every keycard you’ve collected up to this point to reach the "Cube." This location is the climax of the story, and without spoiling the specifics, let's just say you want to be fully healed and armored before you step inside.
Tactical Advice for New Explorers
Don't just run to these spots. The game tracks your progress. As you visit more Sons of the Forest map locations, the enemy presence scales. If you rush the Shovel on Day 2, you might find yourself facing "John 2.0" (the vertical worm mutant) before you have enough explosives to handle him.
- Build a Small Base First: Use a tarp and a stick to make a save point near every cave entrance. If you die deep in a cave without a save, you're looking at a 20-minute walk back.
- Watch the Water: Most caves have fresh water, but the bunkers often have clean sinks. Use them.
- The 3D Printer is Your Friend: There are several printer locations (one in the first cave you likely found). Print the Flask immediately. Being able to carry water is the difference between life and death during long treks across the island.
- Kelvin is a Pack Mule: Use him to gather logs while you explore. You can't carry logs into caves, but you can have a massive pile waiting for you when you come out.
The island is a character in itself. It’s beautiful, hostile, and incredibly rewarding if you stop looking at the trees and start looking for the concrete. Whether you're hunting for the Compound Bow in a maintenance shaft or just trying to find enough berries to survive the night, knowing the layout of these Sons of the Forest map locations is the only way you're getting off that rock in one piece.
Actionable Next Steps
- Locate the nearest Purple GPS Marker: Grab the GPS tracker from the first teammate you find so you can start marking your own custom points of interest.
- Head to the North Coast Cave: Secure the Rebreather as early as possible; it is the fundamental "key" to almost every other piece of advanced technology on the island.
- Check the 3D Printer: Ensure you have enough Resin to print the Grappling Hook tips, as you will need them once you find the Rope Gun to navigate the more vertical cave systems.
- Mark the Maintenance Dig Sites: Once you have the Shovel, prioritize Maintenance A for the keycard and the Fire Axe to significantly increase your combat and resource-gathering efficiency.