Finding the shovel in Sons Of The Forest is a major milestone for players seeking to progress through the story and unlock essential underground bunkers. This tool is hidden deep inside a treacherous cave system that requires careful preparation and key movement gear to navigate. Understanding where this cave is located and what tools you need beforehand will save you from unnecessary trips across the island.
Prerequisites Needed Before Entering the Shovel Cave
Before attempting to reach the shovel cave location, you must acquire two key items: the Rebreather and the Rope Gun. The Rebreather allows you to dive through flooded subterranean tunnels, while the Rope Gun lets you cross steep gaps using ziplines. Without these items in your inventory, proceeding through the cave system is impossible.
It is equally important to stock up on basic survival supplies like snacks, medication, and crafted weapons before heading out. The cave is filled with dangerous mutants that can easily overpower an unprepared explorer. Packing extra explosives or molotovs will help clear out dense clusters of enemies inside the dark corridors.
Pinpointing the Shovel Cave Location
The shovel cave entrance is located near the center of the island, right at the base of the snowy mountain range. Look for a spot where three river streams intersect and form a small lake surrounded by rocky terrain. Outside the cave entrance, you will see three impaled bodies standing in the water, serving as an unmistakable landmark.
Using your GPS tracker, position yourself near the central mountain slopes to locate this specific body of water. Once you arrive at the streams, walk up to the barricaded rock face and break the wooden boards blocking the gap. Slipping through this narrow entrance officially begins your search for the shovel inside.
Navigating Through the Cave Tunnels
Immediately after entering the cave, use your Rope Gun to zipline across the cavernous drop straight ahead. After landing safely, submerge into the pool of water using your Rebreather to swim through the underwater passageway. Emerging on the other side puts you directly onto the primary path leading deeper into the complex.
As you progress, navigate past several large chambers filled with hostile mutants while managing your light sources and stamina. Continue following the natural flow of the cave by sliding down water ramps and wading through shallow streams. Eventually, you will reach a massive open room where a dead worker in a yellow jumpsuit holds the shovel.
Tips for Exiting the Cave Safely
After collecting the shovel, a mutated creature will burst out of a wall nearby to block your retreat. Defeating or bypassing this creature reveals a new tunnel path that leads directly toward an exit. Following this freshly opened passage offers a fast route back to the surface without retracing your initial steps.
Keep your weapons ready on the way out, as stray mutants may still linger in the final exit tunnels. Once you emerge back into the open forest, save your game immediately at a nearby shelter to secure your hard-earned tool.
