Buried deep within the island’s dangerous terrain lies one of Sons of the Forest’s most sought-after tools-the shovel. Getting it means venturing through dark caves, solving tight resource challenges, and surviving creatures that want you gone before you dig a single inch.
The catch? There are so many caves! Continue reading to find out which one to enter and learn how to find the shovel in Sons of the Forest.
Required materials
You’ll need several items before you can reach the shovel. Equip yourself with the rebreather, rope gun, and a zipline rope to access the cave where the shovel is found. Having a good supply of food, medicine, and batteries for your flashlight or headlamp is also recommended, as the cave is long and filled with dangers. A reliable weapon, such as a stun baton or crafted spear, will help you deal with enemies along the way.
To get the shovel in Sons of the Forest, you’ll need a few items to progress through the cave:
- Rope Gun
- Rebreather
- Air Tank
If you’re looking for any of the items above, check the annotated map in the section below to find their locations.
You’ll need a weapon to defend yourself from the enemies inside the cave, so prepare yourself before entering and be ready to take on multiple foes.
How to get the Shovel in Sons of the Forest
To get the shovel, head to the large river cave on the west side of the island, just before the snowy mountain region, marked by three impaled workers at the entrance. Break the wooden barrier, then move through the mostly linear cave using the Rope Gun on the zipline and the Rebreather to swim through the submerged passages. Keep following the lit path deeper underground until you reach a bunker-like area, where you will find a miner’s corpse with the shovel lying on his lap.
- Proceed to the cave to the west of the snowy mountains near the center of the map. There will be three streams intersecting at this point, with three dead bodies outside of the entrance. We recommend creating a tent outside of the cave’s entrance in case anything goes wrong inside.
- Enter the cave and use the rope gun to ride the zipline into the cave.
- Look to the left to find a body of water, and prepare to dive by equipping your rebreather.
- Dive downward to find an opening in the cave floor, and follow the underwater tunnel until you reach an opening.
- Exit the water and head forward through the cave until you reach a portion of the cave with an incline with running water.
- Slide down the slope to land in a pool of water, and turn right to climb onto the cave floor.
- Enter the opening and continue through the cave system until you enter a larger room with two deceased humans inside.
- Stick to the right side of the cave to find another opening which will lead you to yet another large cavern. One of the bodies inside this room will have a flashlight attachment, so make sure to grab that while you’re here.
- Head to the back of the cavern and follow the pathway until you reach another underwater portion of the cave.
- Swim forward through the underwater tunnel until you surface on the other side.
- Follow the path ahead to find a body with a shovel on its lap.
How to get the rebreather in Sons of the Forest
The Rebreather in Sons of the Forest is found in a cave on the northernmost beach along the northwest shore, near the river delta and west of the central mountain-it’s one of the first caves marked on your GPS and ideal for early-game grabs, especially from the beach spawn.
Preparation Tips
Use your starting lighter for light and axe to break the boarded entrance; bring the crafted bow or spear for blind mutants and fingers inside, and grab nearby meds from the crash site as your health starts low.
Craft bone armor from scattered bones if possible for protection.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Enter the cave and follow the main path past the initial drop and innertube pool, staying left at forks-ignore the lit right path (leads to stun gun) to minimize fights.
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Push through dark rooms, dodging slimy enemies, until reaching a large cavern with a deep pool, work light, and pool float.
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Skirt right along the edge (avoid jumping in early due to possible shark), grab the glowing Rebreather on rocks near the water by a laptop, then equip it from inventory.
Exit by diving into the pool, swimming left through the underwater tunnel to the ocean.
Rebreather Usage
Equip anytime for unlimited underwater breathing (uses air cans automatically when depleted); it also provides a weak headlamp.
How to get the stun gun in the rebreather cave
The Stun Gun is located in the same Rebreather Cave on the northernmost beach (northwest shore), as discussed previously for the Rebreather.
Preparation Tips
Bring your lighter or torch for visibility, crafted weapons like the bow or spear for enemies (blind mutants, fingers, babies), and an air canister if grabbing the Rebreather too; save outside first.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Enter the boarded-up cave entrance (break with axe), loot the initial room for flares/ammo/air tank, and proceed past early mutants to a fork illuminated by blue light.
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Take the right path (well-lit tunnel, avoid left for Rebreather); fight or stealth past 2 adults, 2 babies, and a fingers-hear music/radio as you near the end.
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Spot a hanging corpse from the ceiling at the tunnel’s end; loot the Stun Gun directly from it (near a tactical jacket too).
Backtrack to exit; requires separate ammo crates for charges.
