Sons of the Forest: All Cave Locations Map & Essential Guide

Discover all cave locations in Sons of the Forest with this comprehensive guide, including required tools, key loot, and navigation tips.

By Sons Of The Forest Guide Team · Updated July 25, 2026 · generic
Sons of the Forest: All Cave Locations Map & Essential Guide — illustration

Understanding Cave Types and Markers

Caves are a crucial element in Sons of the Forest, offering vital tools, armor, story progression items, and even the path to the game’s ending. To help players navigate these subterranean environments, each major cave is often categorized and marked by a unique color, reflecting its type and the challenges within. While a full interactive map with color-coded markers isn’t directly provided in-game, understanding the distinct characteristics of each cave is key to successful exploration.

The game features seven primary caves, typically identified by letters A through G. These range from early-game entry points that require no special equipment to complex, end-game dungeons demanding specific gear and preparation. Knowing which tools are necessary before entering a cave can prevent frustrating dead ends and ensure you collect essential items for progression. For example, the Rebreather and Rope Gun are frequently required to access deeper sections or entirely new caves.

Detailed Cave Breakdown: Locations and Loot

Here’s a comprehensive overview of each major cave, including its location, access requirements, and significant findings:

  • Cave A — Rebreather Cave (Coastal)

    • Location: Found on the northeastern shoreline, close to the beach.
    • Access: No specific tools are needed for initial entry, making it an early-game objective.
    • Key Loot: The Rebreather, crucial for underwater exploration, and a Stun Gun. An Artifact Piece and a Leather Jacket can also be found.
    • Hazards: Expect water tunnels and potential shark encounters.
    • Importance: Unlocks access to underwater areas and subsequent caves.
    • Tip: Bring flares, as the entrance and flooded areas can be very dark, concealing enemies.

  • Cave B — Rope Gun Cave

    • Location: Situated on a western forest slope, near the initial crash site.
    • Access: Can be entered without any prior tools.
    • Key Loot: The Rope Gun, a grappling device essential for traversing zipline gaps. Also contains a Cross and an Artifact Piece.
    • Hazards: Mutants are present, including a “Sluggy” creature that blocks deeper passages.
    • Importance: Enables zipline travel and provides access to the Shovel Cave.
    • Tip: Molotovs are effective for clearing Sluggy blockages.

  • Cave C — Shovel Cave

    • Location: Located near where two rivers converge, beneath mountain slopes.
    • Access: Requires both the Rebreather (from Cave A) and the Rope Gun (from Cave B).
    • Key Loot: The Shovel, an indispensable tool for digging up bunker hatches, along with a Flashlight Attachment and a Wetsuit.
    • Hazards: Features flooded corridors, various mutants, and sections requiring zipline traversal.
    • Importance: A critical progression cave that unlocks access to bunkers and further story areas.
    • Warning: This is one of the game’s longest and most dangerous caves; it’s highly recommended to save before entering.

  • Cave D — Lake / Cultist Cave

    • Location: Tucked away along a rocky wall near the island’s large central lake.
    • Access: The Rebreather is necessary for complete exploration.
    • Key Loot: Pieces of the Ancient Armor and the upper body section of the Rifle. Contains Artifact Pieces.
    • Hazards: Characterized by narrow corridors, humanoid mutants, and cult shrines.
    • Importance: Provides significant mid-to-late-game loot, particularly for armor collection.
    • Note: Anticipate eerie lighting and evidence of cult activity throughout.

  • Cave E — Hell Cave (Final)

    • Location: Found beneath the Luxury Bunker, specifically behind a bathtub within the Puffton quarters.
    • Access: This is an end-game cave, typically requiring the Golden Armor or a specific story trigger.
    • Key Loot: Contains the Golden Cube and other story items, serving as the arena for the Demon boss.
    • Hazards: Features lava tunnels and encounters with multiple waves of mutants.
    • Importance: The final cave leading to one of the game’s endings.
    • Tip: Maximize your armor and supplies before entering, as there is no turning back once inside.

  • Cave F — Climbing Cave

    • Location: Situated within the northern cliffs, with sections requiring rope use.
    • Access: May require the Rope Gun or other climbing gear.
    • Key Loot: Primarily offers rope supplies, medical items, and ammunition. Also contains a schematic for Item Plating, a Pick Axe, and an Artifact Piece.
    • Hazards: Involves vertical shafts and cliff-dwelling mutants.
    • Importance: An optional but rewarding cave for resource gathering and practicing vertical traversal.

  • Cave G — Hidden / Artifact Cave

    • Location: On the northeast side of the island, near an abandoned fishing village on the eastern coastline. The entrance is concealed within a decayed wooden hut with a half-triangle roof, partially overgrown and sealed by breakable wooden planks.
    • Access: Break the wooden planks with an axe to enter, then descend a rope into an underground chamber. Continue through flooded tunnels and waterfalls to a secret alcove.
    • Key Loot: Hidden caches, random loot crates, and various collectibles. It also provides the blueprint for the Grind Trap and an Artifact Piece.
    • Hazards: Features tight spaces and light mutant encounters.
    • Importance: Unlocks the Grind Trap blueprint, a powerful defensive item, and contributes to hidden achievements and lore through the Artifact Piece.

For a smooth progression through Sons of the Forest, a logical sequence for exploring caves is recommended, as each cave often provides tools necessary for the next:

  1. Cave A (Rebreather Cave): Your starting point to acquire diving gear.
  2. Cave B (Rope Gun Cave): Next, secure the Rope Gun to enable zipline traversal.
  3. Cave C (Shovel Cave): With the Rebreather and Rope Gun, you can now obtain the Shovel and access bunkers.
  4. Cave D (Cultist Cave): Explore this cave for armor pieces and lore.
  5. Cave F (Climbing Cave): An optional but beneficial stop for resources.
  6. Cave E (Hell Cave): The final destination for the game’s conclusion.

This path generally moves from the coast inland and towards the mountains, aligning with the game’s natural progression.

General Cave Exploration Tips

  • Save Frequently: Always save your game before entering a cave. Some caves lack internal save points or safe exits.
  • Bring Light Sources: Flashlights, flares, or torches are essential for visibility in dark cave environments.
  • Stock Up: Carry ample medical supplies and armor, as mutants can be formidable and often ambush from tight corners.
  • Mark Entrances: Use your GPS to place markers at cave entrances for easy re-identification and future visits.
  • Avoid Camping Nearby: Mutant spawn rates tend to increase around cave entrances once they’re unlocked, so avoid setting up your base too close.

FAQ

Which cave should I explore first in Sons of the Forest? You should start with Cave A, the Rebreather Cave, located on the northeastern shoreline. It requires no prior tools and provides the Rebreather, which is essential for accessing other caves and underwater sections.

What are the essential tools I need for cave exploration? The Rebreather and the Rope Gun are two of the most critical tools. The Rebreather allows for underwater navigation, while the Rope Gun enables zipline traversal, both of which are required to fully explore or even enter many caves. The Shovel, obtained from Cave C, is also vital for digging up bunker hatches.

Are there any caves that don’t require tools to enter? Yes, Cave A (Rebreather Cave) and Cave B (Rope Gun Cave) can both be entered without any specific tools, making them ideal starting points for your cave exploration. Cave G (Hidden / Artifact Cave) also doesn’t require specific tools for initial entry, though you will need an axe to break planks.

How many major caves are there in Sons of the Forest? There are seven major caves identified as A through G, each offering unique challenges and rewards.

What is the most dangerous cave in Sons of the Forest? Cave C, the Shovel Cave, is noted as one of the longest and most dangerous. Cave E, the Hell Cave, is the final and most challenging, featuring lava tunnels and multiple waves of mutants, requiring maximum preparation.

Can I find parts of the Rifle in caves? Yes, parts of the Rifle, specifically the upper body section, can be found in Cave D, the Lake / Cultist Cave.