You're probably freezing your tail off at Cairn Lake because some guy in a saloon mentioned a map, or maybe you just stumbled upon a weirdly placed lockbox in a shack. Red Dead Redemption 2 is famous for making you work for your money, and the poisonous trail treasure RDR2 hunt is arguably the most tedious of the lot. It’s not like the Jack Hall Gang maps where the landmarks are screaming at you. This one is subtle. It’s tucked away in corners of the map you usually only visit to hunt legendary animals or hide from a bounty.
Honestly, the name itself is a bit of a misnomer. There’s no actual poison involved, unless you count the sheer toxicity of trying to navigate a dark cave system without a lantern. But if you’re looking to fund your "Tahiti" dream or just want to buy that fancy volcanic pistol without skinning five hundred deer, this is the hunt to finish. It nets you four gold bars. That’s $2,000. In 1899, that’s basically "never work again" money.
Starting the Hunt at Cairn Lake
The whole thing kicks off in the Ambarino wilderness. Most players find the first map while looking for Flaco Hernandez, one of the legendary gunslingers. If you haven't done that mission yet, head to the northwest corner of the map, specifically Cairn Lake. There’s a tiny, miserable-looking shack there called Cairn Lodge.
Look under the bed.
You’ll find a lockbox. Inside is the first map. It shows a rock formation that looks like a face and some trees. If you’re just wandering around the Grizzlies, you’ll never find it. You need to head down into Lemoyne. Specifically, you’re looking for a place called Face Rock. It’s just north of Rhodes, near Scarlett Meadows.
Finding the Serpent Mound
Once you get to Face Rock, the second map is hidden inside a hollow tree trunk. This is where Rockstar gets cheeky. The sketch on the second map looks like a giant snake. You might think it’s just a doodle, but it’s actually an aerial view of an ancient earthwork.
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You’ve gotta ride over to the area near Van Horn Trading Post. There’s a hill overlooking the Kamassa River where you’ll find a massive serpent mound made of stones and dirt. It’s an "Interest" point Arthur or John will sketch in their journal. Walk to the "head" of the snake. There’s a hole in the center of the stones. Reach in—watch out for actual snakes, though I’ve rarely seen them spawn right in the hole—and you’ll grab the third and final map.
This third map is the one that breaks people. It shows a waterfall. In a game with about fifty waterfalls, that’s not exactly helpful.
The Elysian Pool Nightmare
The final location for the poisonous trail treasure RDR2 is the Elysian Pool. It’s situated in the Roanoke Ridge region. It looks beautiful from a distance, but the water is actually foul and murky. Don't worry about the water quality for now; you're here for what's behind the curtain.
Swim or walk your horse right through the middle of the waterfall.
Behind the falling water is a massive, pitch-black cavern. This is why you need a lantern. If you try to do this in the dark, you will fall off a ledge and die. I’ve done it. It’s frustrating. Arthur will stumble, the screen will go gray, and you’ll respawn back on the shore feeling like an idiot.
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Navigating the Secret Cave
Once you’re inside, follow the main path. You’ll eventually reach a steep drop-off. Don't just jump. Look to your right. There is a small, narrow tunnel you have to crouch to enter. It’s easy to miss because it’s tucked away in the shadows.
After you crawl through, you'll come to a fork. Go right. You’ll find a small campsite that looks like someone was living there years ago. Keep moving past it until you hit a large chamber with a massive pit.
Here is the trick:
- Look for a ledge on the left side of the pit.
- Run and jump across the gap. If you hesitate, you'll slide down.
- Once you land, you’ll see a steep, slippery slope.
- Slide down the slope, but try to stay toward the left.
- At the bottom, there’s a small pool of water.
- To the left of that pool, there’s a pile of rocks.
Search those rocks. That’s where the four gold bars are hidden.
Why This Treasure Matters for Your Playthrough
Most people focus on the story, and that’s fine. But RDR2’s economy is weird. Early on, you’re scraping for cents. By the end, you’re usually loaded. Finding the poisonous trail treasure RDR2 early—specifically in Chapter 2 or 3—completely changes how you play the game.
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Think about it. $2,000 pays for every camp upgrade. It pays for the leather working tools, the fast travel map, and the boat. It buys the best horses in the Saint Denis stable. It essentially removes the "grind" and lets you focus on being a cowboy.
There’s also the lore aspect. The serpent mound and the Face Rock aren't just random assets. They're based on real-world locations like the Serpent Mound in Ohio. Rockstar loves weaving these historical oddities into the world, and the Poisonous Trail is their way of forcing you to look at the landscape differently.
Practical Tips for the Final Stretch
If you’re struggling with the jump in the cave, check your stamina. If Arthur is exhausted or hungry, his jump distance is shorter. Eat some big game meat or a chocolate bar before you enter the waterfall.
Also, the gold bars don't just magically turn into cash. You have to sell them to a Fence. The closest one to the Elysian Pool is in Van Horn, but I’d recommend riding down to Saint Denis or over to Emerald Ranch if you have other business there.
Wait. One more thing.
If you are playing as John in the epilogue and you already collected this treasure as Arthur, it won’t be there. Treasures in RDR2 are generally "one and done." However, if you left it alone during the main story, John can absolutely go get it. It’s a great way to kickstart your bank account after the credits roll.
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Prep Your Gear: Make sure you have the Electric Lantern (from the Marco Dragic mission) or at least the standard lantern. Buy some stimulant for Arthur’s stamina.
- Cairn Lake: Head to the shack at the frozen lake in Ambarino. Grab the map under the bed.
- Face Rock: Ride to Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne. Find the hollow tree behind the rock shaped like a human face.
- Serpent Mound: Travel west of Van Horn. Look for the rock-pile snake on the hill. The map is in the "head."
- Elysian Pool: Enter the waterfall. Stay high, crouch through the tunnel, jump the gap on the left, and slide down to the rock pile.
- Cashing In: Visit the Fence in Van Horn immediately to turn those four gold bars into $2,000.
The gold is sitting there in the dark. Go get it.