{"id":115420,"date":"2018-12-28T18:40:49","date_gmt":"2018-12-28T17:40:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=115420"},"modified":"2025-07-01T22:36:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T05:36:11","slug":"rdr2-fossil-locations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/rdr2-fossil-locations\/","title":{"rendered":"RDR2: Maps to find all 30 dinosaur bones"},"content":{"rendered":"

Red Dead’s Stranger side missions will often take you on some fairly wild journeys and quests. In one such\u00a0quest,\u00a0A Test of Faith,\u00a0<\/strong>paleontologist Deborah MacGuiness will task you with finding ancient dinosaur bones scattered across the map. Finding all 30 will net you some pretty sweet rewards, including the unique\u00a0Jawbone Knife\u00a0<\/strong>melee weapon. These bones are tough to find, but we’ve tracked down all 30 for you. Follow this guide, and you’ll have your\u00a0hands on that knife in no time.<\/p>\n

An important note: You cannot complete this quest until after beating the game, when the New Austin portions of the map are unlocked.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Red Dead Redemption 2: Where to find all the dinosaur bones<\/h2>\n

Bone 1:\u00a0Van Horn Trading Post<\/h3>\n
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Van Horn trading post bone location<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Van Horn Trading post bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You’ll find this bone to the northwest of the Van Horn Trading Post, in a cluster of trees atop a hill. As with all bones, using\u00a0Eagle Eye\u00a0<\/strong>will make the bone much easier to spot.<\/p>\n

Bone 2: Roanoke Valley Cliff<\/h3>\n
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Roanoke Valley Cliff map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Roanoke Valley cliff bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bone perches atop a cliff overlooking a road to the north of the Roanoke Ridge Valley. Approach from the north, east, or south to get atop the cliff.<\/p>\n

Bone 3: Elysian Pool<\/h3>\n
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Elysian Pool bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Elysian Pool bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You’ll have to scale down a bunch of rocky cliffs north of the Elysian Pool to grab this one. It’s easier to leave your horse behind and make your way to this overhang on foot.<\/p>\n

Bone 4: Roanoke Valley Border<\/h3>\n
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Roanoke Valley Border map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Roanoke Valley Border bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To find this bone, head to the border between Ambarino and the Roanoke Valley. You’ll see it perched atop a low, rocky outcropping.<\/p>\n

Bone 5: Grizzlies East Mountaintop<\/h3>\n
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Grizzlies East Mountain bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Grizzlies East mountaintop bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This one is a bit tricky to get to. Circle behind the mountain from the north to find a path leading to the peak, where this bone is located. You won’t be able to make the climb from the southern side.<\/p>\n

Bone 6: Grizzlies North Hilltop<\/h3>\n
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Grizzlies North bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Grizzlies North hilltop bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You’ll find this bone due north of the previous one, atop a hill just off the northernmost path through the Grizzlies. It’s in a clearing and shouldn’t be hard to spot.<\/p>\n

Bone 7: New Hanover Cabin<\/h3>\n
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New Hanover Cabin bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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New Hanover cabin bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bone is easy to find because of the nearby cabin. Simply head to the cabin, then circle around to the back to find this bone.<\/p>\n

Bone 8: Heartlands Oil Field<\/h3>\n
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Heartlands Oil Field bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Heartlands Oil Field bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the middle of the Heartlands Valley, it’s easy to spot this lone abandoned oil derrick. Climb down into the pit beneath it (pictured) to find this bone buried within.<\/p>\n

Bone 9: Heartlands Gorge<\/h3>\n
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Heartlands Gorge bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Heartlands Gorge bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Head due south from the oil derrick to find this bone tucked into a gorge. You might want to use Eagle Eye on this one, as it can be hard to spot.<\/p>\n

Bone 10: Heartlands Southern Hill<\/h3>\n
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Heartlands Hill bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Heartlands Hill bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Head south again from the Heartlands Gorge bone, and you’ll find the next bone sticking out like a sore thumb on this bright grassy hill.<\/p>\n

Bone 11: Dewberry Creek North<\/h3>\n
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Dewberry Creek North bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dewberry Creek North bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first of two bones located not far from each other in Dewberry Creek, this massive ribcage is easy to spot along the riverbank.<\/p>\n

Bone 12: Dewberry Creek South<\/h3>\n
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Dewberry Creek south map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Head south along the creek from Bone 11 to find Bone 12 along the creekbed on the same side. They’re not far from each other and should be easy to spot.<\/p>\n

Bone 13: Donner Falls<\/h3>\n
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Donner Falls bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Donner Falls bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bone sits on the slopes near Donner Falls. It’s absolutely massive, and should be easy enough to spot from afar.<\/p>\n

Bone 14: Valentine North<\/h3>\n
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Valentine North bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Valentine North bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Head northeast out of Valentine and you’ll come across this bone on top of a grassy hill.<\/p>\n

Bone 15: Six Point Cabin<\/h3>\n
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Six Point Cabin bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Six Point Cabin bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You’ll find this bone concealed in the forested cliffs surrounding Six Point Cabin.<\/p>\n

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Red Dead 2: How to find the Saint Denis Vampire<\/p>\r\n Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Bone 16: Dakota River Banks Cliff<\/h3>\n
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Dakota River Cliff bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dakota River cliff bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bone is hidden in plain sight. From the cliff top, look down to find this bone sitting on a rocky outcropping. Drop down to get it.<\/p>\n

Bone 17: Bacchus Station<\/h3>\n
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Bacchus Station bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Bacchus Station bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bone is located atop a rocky hill between Fort Mercer and Bacchus Station.<\/p>\n

Bone 18: Mount Shann Slopes<\/h3>\n
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Mount Shann slopes bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Mount Shann slopes bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bone can be easily found just off the road that heads up Mount Shann. It does blend with the rocky cliffs somewhat, so don’t forget to use Eagle Eye to pinpoint it.<\/p>\n

Bone 19: Watson’s Cabin<\/h3>\n
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Watson’s Cabin bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From Watson’s Cabin, head into the wilderness and look for a cave at the spot marked above. Head into the cave to find the bone within.<\/p>\n

Bone 20: Pronghorn Ranch South<\/h3>\n
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Red Dead 2 Pronghorn Ranch south bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Pronghorn Ranch south bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This may be the easiest bone you’ll find. It’s sitting directly in the middle of the road up the mountain to the south of Pronghorn Ranch.<\/p>\n

Bone 21: Dakota River South<\/h3>\n
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Dakota River south bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dakota River south bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You’ll see this bone embedded into a cliff alongside a path that follows the banks of the Dakota River.<\/p>\n

Bone 22: Valentine South<\/h3>\n
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Cumberland Forest south bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like a few other bones on this list, this one can be found in a cliffside along the Dakota River southeast of Valentine.<\/p>\n

Bone 23: San Luis River<\/h3>\n
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San Luis River bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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San Luis River bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Head to the banks of the San Luis River south of MacFarlane’s Ranch for this one. If you spot a few ruined buildings, you’ll know you’re close.<\/p>\n

Bone 24: Pike’s Basin<\/h3>\n
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Pike’s Basin bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Pike’s Basin bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To find this bone, head east out of Armadillo into Pike’s Basin. The bone is in the northeastern section of the canyon, on an outcropping against the canyon wall.<\/p>\n

Bone 25: Rio Bravo Mesa<\/h3>\n
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Rio Bravo Mesa bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Rio Bravo Mesa bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This mesa is located to the south of Fort Mercer. To get on top, head at it from the eastern side and you should be able to ride your horse all the way to the bone’s location.<\/p>\n

Bone 26: Cholla Springs North<\/h3>\n
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Cholla Springs north bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cholla Springs north bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bone sits at the very northern edge of Cholla Springs, against the border of the map. Head north from Pleasance House to see this one embedded in the rocks.<\/p>\n

Bone 27: Jorge’s Gap<\/h3>\n
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Jorge’s Gap bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Jorge’s Gap bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bone isn’t actually located in Jorge’s Gap, but rather on a hilltop next to it. It’s concealed in scrub grass, so you may want to use Eagle Eye to help find it.<\/p>\n

Bone 28: Rio Del Lobo Rock<\/h3>\n
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Rio del Lobo Rock map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Rio del Lobo Rock bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ride to the top of Rio del Lobo Rock to find this bone, sitting in plain sight in the dirt.<\/p>\n

Bone 29: Tumbleweed North<\/h3>\n
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Tumbleweed North bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Tumbleweed North bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first of two bones in Tumbleweed, ride northwest and look for a path to the top of the mesa. This bone is located on the northern edge.<\/p>\n

Bone 30: Tumbleweed South<\/h3>\n
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Tumbleweed South bone map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Tumbleweed South bone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To find the final bone, ride back into Tumbleweed and look for the windmill. Take the path near it to get atop the mesa, and then ride to the southern edge to find this bone.<\/p>\n

Rewards:<\/h3>\n
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The Jawbone Knife<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To receive your rewards, you’ll need to head to the nearest post office and mail the bone locations back to MacGuiness. After 24 hours or so, you can head back to the post office to receive the following rewards:<\/p>\n