Red Dead Redemption 2 Hidden Facts
This article contains a list of secrets and easter eggs in the video game “Red Dead Redemption 2”. These include references to previous games, characters from other media, and more
There are many secrets hidden throughout Red Dead Redemption 2‘s map, and while most have been found by players, there is still plenty left for us to find. If you’re looking for some new things to explore or hunt down, this list should help you get started! I’ve organized them all by location, so just follow along with me as we discover everything that’s waiting to be discovered…
(Note: All locations listed below can be accessed without having completed the main story.)
Location #1 – The Boathouse
The first thing you’ll come across when starting your adventure through Blackwater is an old boathouse on the water’s edge. A few notes scattered around the area will lead you to believe that this was once used by members of a smuggling gang before they were wiped out by law enforcement, but it’s actually been taken over by someone else entirely—a gang of marauders who call themselves the Wolves.
This group has turned this place into their base camp, and if you decide to approach, you may hear gunshots coming from inside. There’s also another note nearby which reads “You’ll need to find another way past those guards.”
It seems like these bandits don’t want anyone approaching too closely, and unfortunately, the only way to do so is to go through the woods. Once you make it back onto land, head north-east towards the fence where the gang members were patrolling earlier.
If you sneak up behind one of them, he won’t notice until you take him out with a shot to the face, at which point you can simply run away and keep going. Make sure to stay quiet as you move though, because if any of the others turn around, they might spot you.
When you reach the end of the path, you’ll see the gate leading inside. It’s locked tight, however, so you’ll have to use the lockpicks you picked up from that dead guard outside to unlock it. You can grab them by pressing Triangle while standing near the corpse.
Once it’s open, enter the building and look for the wooden ladder to climb up. Head all the way to the top and check out the hole in the roof. From here, you can get a nice view of the surrounding area. Just watch out for falling debris, especially during thunderstorms.
Location #2 – Campo de San Fermín
The second location on our list takes us south of Blackwater and east of Valentine, to the town of Campo de San Fermín. Here, we’ll meet up with a young man named Esteban, who asks us to deliver a letter to his sister, Marisa.
Esteban tells us to find her in Campo de San Fermín, but doesn’t give us much else information. We can tell that he means the campo (or field) of San Fermin, since it’s marked on the map, but we still aren’t quite sure what’s supposed to happen after delivering the letter.
Before heading out, though, let’s talk about something important: horse care! Horses are one of the most vital assets in Red Dead Redemption 2, and taking good care of yours will mean that you’ll be able to travel farther and faster than ever before.
In order to ensure that your horses remain healthy and strong, it’s best to feed them regularly and pay attention to how they feel. In general, they’ll be fine unless you’ve gone without food for several days, but if you start seeing signs of weakness, such as loss of stamina, then it’s time to rest them for a bit.
Location #3 – The Boiling Wells
Next, we’ll journey west to find ourselves at the Boiling Wells. These hot springs seem harmless enough at first glance, but there’s definitely something strange going on in this area. First off, why does the well appear to bubble? And where did it even come from in the first place?
As you explore the area, you’ll find that the water is actually boiling, which makes sense when you consider the heat of the springs. But what causes this to occur? One theory suggests that it could be caused by some sort of magical spell, which would explain the bubbling. Another possibility is that the area was originally covered in lava, which has now cooled over the years.
Either way, the fact remains that this water isn’t safe to drink, so try not to accidentally swallow any. Also, remember that the ground can sometimes become unstable due to magma flows, so you should probably avoid walking through areas with molten rock.
While you’re exploring the area, you’ll eventually stumble upon a group of travelers being attacked by bandits. Since this looks like a situation where you can step in and save the day, we recommend doing exactly that.
After dispatching the attackers, you’ll learn that they were hired by someone named Toni, who’s apparently in charge of a small caravan of merchants. As luck would have it, the merchants are headed to the city of Armadillo, and it sounds like they need a guide to help them safely navigate the dangerous territory between here and there.
Wouldn’t you know it, you happen to be the perfect person for the job! So long as you’re willing to join the group and help them on their journey, they’ll happily accept your offer. Before you leave, though, make sure to pick up anything that might be useful later, including the medicine kit on one of the corpses.
Also, don’t forget to pick up a few supplies from their wagon. The bandit leader was carrying an empty canteen, so grab that before leaving. It’ll come in handy when you finally reach Armadillo.
Once you’ve reached the road, follow it north-west to find yourself at the entrance to the ruins of Armadillo.
Red Dead Redemption 2 – Location #4 – El Dorado
El Dorado is located in the mountains to the south-east of Fort Zancudo. According to the map, it’s a huge mining complex built by the Knights of the Round Table, but the locals refer to it as “The Golden City“, likely because of its beautiful architecture.
On the outskirts of town, we find the abandoned house of Mr. Cascio, a local farmer who lived alone in the area until recently. He told us to find his daughter, Rosa, who lives somewhere in the city, but she didn’t say anything about where she’d gone. We also met up with a woman named Lucia, who said that the whole town had been talking about the arrival of a mysterious stranger. She warned us to stay clear of him, though, because he seemed to be bad news.
There are plenty of interesting sights to see within the city itself, but we won’t bother going into detail here. Instead, let’s talk about some Red Dead Redemption 2’s places outside of the walls that might prove to be more helpful.
For starters, there’s the mine shaft nearby, which is accessible by following the path behind the farmhouse. Go inside and speak with the man in the back room to receive the Silver Pickaxe . Then, continue forward and you’ll find a cave that leads deeper underground.
Follow the path inside to find the entrance to a mine tunnel. The owner of the Silver Pickaxe can use this to dig deep into the earth, and hopefully, you’ll be able to unearth something worth keeping.
One of the things you can mine down there is the Legendary Treasure of El Dorado , which will give you access to some very powerful abilities. Of course, you’ll need to be careful with these, as they can easily drain your health.
You can find this treasure right next to the cave where you got the pickaxe, inside a chest that’s guarded by a ferocious dragon.
The other notable location is the church, where we learned that a strange priest named Father Miguel runs an orphanage. If you want to help out, you can donate some money or clothing items. Alternatively, you could always just sneak in and steal whatever you please… but I’m pretty sure he knows about that already.
We also encountered some children living outside of the city, whom the guards mistook for criminals and ordered to be arrested. Luckily, Arthur intervened and saved them before they could get hurt. Now they’re begging us to take them home with us.
If you agree to do so, the three of them will follow you wherever you go until you leave the city limits. Once you’re done playing around in El Dorado, head south-east towards Fort Zancudo and head straight towards the church. When you get close enough, the kids will show up and beg you to take them with you again. They’ll promise to behave this time.
Of course, it’s possible to simply ignore them and head inside. The interior of the church is dark and gloomy, with stained glass windows illuminating the room in bright colors. There’s a large altar at the center of the room, flanked by statues of the Holy Trinity.
Location #5 – Stinkwater Saloon
Now that we’ve explored everything we wanted to in the ruins of Armadillo, it’s time to move on. To the west lies the town of Stinkwater, which is surrounded by farms and fields.
Heading straight into town, we find ourselves at the saloon. It’s filled with rough-looking men who are eager to fight, and they’ll challenge us to duels if we linger too long. While you may be tempted to duel one of these men, it’s better to avoid conflict whenever possible.
Instead, check out the counter for information about a local bounty hunter named Bill Williamson, who supposedly wants to track down an outlaw named Gus McCrae. A sign above the bar mentions that Bill is looking for someone named Henry Avery, so perhaps this is him.
Williamson is currently holed up in a shack outside of town, and according to his wife, he needs a partner to help him bring McCrae in. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to find anyone to help him out yet.
Once you’ve made your way inside, look for a painting hanging on the wall to your left. Tap on it to read a story written by a famous author called Jack London, which details the events leading up to the infamous Gunfight at the OK Corral. After reading, the bartender will give you a piece of paper on which you can write a note to Williamson.
Afterward, check out the door on the opposite side of the room. It leads to the office, where you can find a letter on the desk. This letter was written by the mayor of Stinkwater, asking for Williamson‘s assistance in finding some missing livestock. If you choose to accept the task, you’ll receive $25 for each cow found, along with an extra bonus if you manage to catch the culprit responsible.
When you’re ready, leave the office and head upstairs. Here, you’ll meet a woman named Elizabeth, who works as a nurse in the hospital. You can ask her about the local doctor, who is apparently sick, but she won’t say much else. However, if you return later in the day, you’ll be able to overhear her talking to the sheriff about a man who robbed her earlier today.
Since we haven’t heard anything about this robbery, let’s investigate the scene and search for clues. Start by heading to the front gate and speaking with the guard standing watch. Tell him that you’re investigating a crime and that you’d like to examine the victim.
After he lets you in, you’ll notice a trail of blood leading from the barn towards the back of the property. Follow it all the way to the cabin, where you’ll find the doctor lying unconscious on the floor. Search his body for a gun hidden underneath his jacket, then take it with you.
Location #6 – Pecos
Our next destination is Pecos, located to the east of Fort Zancudo. The town is situated near the bank of the Pecos River, and many buildings are decorated with brightly colored tiles.
At the southern end of town is the general store, which sells various goods, including the Double-Action Revolver (one of the best weapons in RDR2). Be sure to stop by the trading post as well, where you can find a few interesting books on display. The first is called The History of the West, while the second is titled Legends of the Old West. Both contain interesting stories and facts about life during the Wild West.
In addition to selling new weapons and armor, the general store also stocks a variety of old-fashioned tools that you might find useful later on in the game. For example, you can purchase a rope to hang your horse from the roof, and a bucket that doubles as a water barrel for filling up with fresh water.
A short distance away, you’ll encounter a ranch belonging to a man named Raul. Speak to him to learn that his father used to live in Pecos, and that he was friends with another rancher named William McRory. Unfortunately, William passed away several years ago after falling off his horse, and now his son doesn’t know what happened to his father’s gold coin collection. Could it have been stolen?
That’s all the locations we have for now. Thanks for joining me on this journey through the world of Red Dead Redemption 2! If you enjoyed my walkthrough, feel free to check out my Rocket League Game Tips.
Also, be sure to read my other articles, where I write about video games and technologies. See you soon!
Can I ask why you’re so obsessed with Red Dead? It seems like you’ve spent your life playing this stupid game!
What’s wrong with red dead?
Red Dead is a great game but this site isn’t about games, it’s about tech and computers. So don’t talk about games here, talk about software or hardware. Or maybe write an article about the history of technology instead of wasting everyone’s time writing about some stupid cowboy western.
You guys should try to play this game, you’d enjoy it.