You’re staring at a mound of dirt or a grave, and the game is basically mocking you. You need the shovel. In Spanish, players are scouring the map for the Sons of the Forest pala, but the reality is that this one tool acts as the ultimate gatekeeper for the entire mid-game progression. It’s frustrating. You’ve probably spent an hour wandering around the forest floor, picking up sticks and stones, thinking you just missed it in a random crate.
You didn't.
The shovel isn't something you just stumble upon while running from cannibals in the first twenty minutes. Endnight Games designed the progression loop to be a bit of a "gear check." You want the shovel? You have to prove you’ve conquered the caves first. It’s a classic Metroidvania approach dropped into a survival horror sandbox. If you don't have the right breathing apparatus or the ability to zip across a cavern, that shovel might as well be on the moon.
The Brutal Reality of the Sons of the Forest Pala Hunt
Let’s be real for a second. Most players go into Sons of the Forest thinking they can just build a base and survive. But if you want the story to move—if you want the keycards, the shotgun, or the hidden bunkers—you absolutely must have the shovel. It’s the only way to uncover the maintenance hatches buried under several feet of dirt.
But here is the kicker: the shovel is located at the very end of one of the most dangerous caves in the game. You can't just sprint in and grab it. The cave is located near the center of the map, close to the snowy mountain base, where three streams meet. However, even if you find the entrance, you'll find it blocked by a shallow pool of water and a massive gap.
This is where the game forces your hand. To get the Sons of the Forest pala, you need two other specific items first: the Rebreather and the Rope Gun (Zip-line Tool). Without these, the shovel cave is a dead end.
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Why the Rebreather is Your First Real Target
Before you even think about the shovel, you have to go to the coast. Specifically, the cave on the north beach. It’s damp, it’s filled with those pale, blind bastards, and it’s the only place to find the Rebreather.
Honestly, the Rebreather cave is a bit of a nightmare if you’re unprepared. You’ll be navigating narrow tunnels while trying to manage your battery life for your flashlight. Once you find the air tank and the mask at the back of the cave, you can finally dive into deep water. This is essential because the shovel cave has a submerged section that is impossible to pass without drowning otherwise. Don't try to "skill" your way through the swim; the game has a hard physics limit on how long you can hold your breath.
The Rope Gun: The Second Piece of the Puzzle
Next up is the Rope Gun. This is found in a different cave entirely, usually referred to as the "Zip-line Cave." It’s located further west. This cave is notorious for the "Sluggy"—that giant mass of flesh blocking a narrow passage. You’ll need a time bomb or a lucky grenade to clear the path.
Once you have the Rope Gun, you can finally use those yellow ropes you’ve seen hanging around the island. This tool is what allows you to cross the massive pit inside the shovel cave. It feels like a lot of work for a digging tool, doesn't it? It is. But that’s the loop.
Stepping Into the Shovel Cave
Okay, you’ve got the Rebreather. You’ve got the Rope Gun. Now you’re ready for the actual Sons of the Forest pala location.
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The cave entrance is marked by three corpses propped up on wooden stakes in the middle of a stream. It’s a grisly landmark. Once you head inside, you’ll use the Rope Gun to cross the first big gap. Then, you’ll dive into a pool of water with the Rebreather.
This cave is long.
It’s not a quick "in and out" mission. You’re going to encounter dozens of mutants, including the "Twins" and the "Fingers." If you’re playing on a higher difficulty, bring plenty of buckshot or at least a dozen fire arrows. The atmosphere in here is thick. You’ll pass through a locker room area that looks like a corporate breakroom gone wrong—part of the "Sahara Therapeutics" lore that fans of the first game will recognize.
At the very end of this gauntlet, you’ll find a lone worker’s body sitting near a ledge overlooking a massive underground cavern. The shovel is sitting right there in his lap.
What You Can Actually Do Once You Have the Shovel
Once you emerge from that cave (and trust me, the exit is its own little adventure involving a sliding rock face), the game opens up.
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- Maintenance Hatches: You’ll see those "GPS" pings on your map that seem to lead to nothing but flat ground. Dig there. You’ll find Maintenance A, B, and C. These contain the Fire Axe, the Compound Bow, and most importantly, the VIP Keycard.
- The Shotgun: You can’t get the shotgun without the shovel. It’s buried in a grave at one of the purple GPS markers.
- The Golden Armor: Essential for the endgame "Cube" sequence. This is tucked away in a bunker that requires a keycard... which you got from a hatch... which you dug up with the shovel.
It's all connected.
Common Misconceptions and Dead Ends
I’ve seen people online claiming you can find a "small shovel" or a "hand trowel" in random campsites. That is 100% false. There is only one shovel in the game. If you see a video claiming there’s a secret location near the beach, they are likely using mods or playing an outdated early-access build where item spawns weren't finalized.
Another thing: don't try to use the shovel as a weapon. It sucks. While you can swing it at a cannibal, the wind-up is slow and the damage is negligible. It is a tool, not a tactical asset. Stick to the modern axe or the machete for your daily defense needs.
Expert Tips for the Shovel Run
If you want to survive the trek for the Sons of the Forest pala, you need to be smart about your inventory.
- Flashlight over Lighter: The lighter is useless in the deep sections of the shovel cave. Make sure you have extra batteries.
- The Slingshot: Surprisingly, the slingshot is great for pulling small mutants away from a pack so you can deal with them one-on-one.
- Save Outside: There is a tent right outside the shovel cave entrance. Use it. If you die at the bottom of the water section, you’re going to lose twenty minutes of progress.
- Kelvin is Useless Here: Your AI companion, Kelvin, will not follow you into the deep caves. Don't wait for him. He’ll just hang out by the entrance eating berries while you're fighting for your life against a multi-limbed nightmare.
The shovel cave is also a great place to farm "Creepy Armor." Since there are so many high-tier mutants, make sure you have your knife ready to skin them. You’ll want a full suit of pink flesh armor before you reach the bottom.
Getting It Done
Stop wandering. The Sons of the Forest pala isn't going to appear by magic. You need to follow the sequence: North Beach for the Rebreather, Western Cave for the Rope Gun, and finally the Mountain Cave for the shovel itself.
Once you have it, go straight to the purple marker near the beach to dig up the shotgun. It changes the power dynamic of the game instantly. From there, head to the maintenance hatches to start collecting the keycards. Your goal should be to hit Maintenance A first, as the Lasersight and the Fire Axe are game-changers for mid-game combat. Digging is the only way forward, so get through those caves and get your hands dirty.