Red Dead Redemption 2 Rock Carving locations
There are 10 rock carvings in Red Dead Redemption 2, all of them in the northern half of the map. Finding them is part of the Geology for Beginners stranger mission: talk to Francis Sinclair at his cabin northwest of Strawberry to start it, then mail the coordinates of each carving you find to him from any post office.
The rewards arrive by mail as you send carvings in:
1 carving mailed: $10 and a bottle of Kentucky Bourbon
5 carvings mailed: a rock statue
All 10 mailed: an invitation back to the cabin, where you receive the Old Brass Compass, used to craft the Raven Claw Talisman at a fence (weapon degradation slowed by 20%)
None of the carvings are in New Austin, so Arthur can finish the whole set from Chapter 2 onward, and none of them are missable. You can also browse all 10 on the interactive Red Dead Redemption 2 map. The locations below follow a route from Big Valley in the west, north through the Grizzlies, and east into Roanoke Ridge.
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Rock Carving #1, Owanjila location
This carving is cut into a boulder on the west shore of Owanjila, the lake just west of Strawberry. It sits low to the ground by the waterline, a short ride from Francis Sinclair’s cabin. Watch for snakes in the grass along the shore.
Rock Carving #2, Mount Shann location
Follow the ledge path that winds up Mount Shann and look for the spiral design carved into the rock wall above the trail. You can ride most of the way up before finishing the last stretch on foot.
Rock Carving #3, Mount Hagen location
Near the summit of Mount Hagen in the Grizzlies, above Lake Isabella. Follow the snowy mountain road to its end and check the rock face around the corner from the small shack at the top.
Rock Carving #4, Cumberland Forest Dakota River location
In northwestern Cumberland Forest, above the Dakota River gorge. From the clifftop, take the narrow pass down to the river overlook with the rope bridge below; the carving is on the cliff face in front of the viewpoint.
Rock Carving #5, Whinyard Strait location
On the west side of the river north of Window Rock, in the far north of the map. The carving is on the upper level of a two-tier rock ledge facing the water; hitch your horse at the bridge to the south and walk the last stretch.
Rock Carving #6, Bacchus Station location
Southwest of Bacchus Station, high on the big cliff that faces the river. Approach from the top of the mountain and follow the narrow passage down between the trees; the carving sits just below the highest point. Many players consider this the trickiest one to reach.
Rock Carving #7, Moonstone Pond location
On the stepped plateau just south of Moonstone Pond, overlooking Heartland Overflow. Climb down the rock platforms; the pyramid-like carving is on the wall of the lowest level.
Rock Carving #8, Elysian Pool location
A huge carving on the east side of Elysian Pool, visible from the road. Cross the small bridge at the pool’s southeast corner and head north to the rock ledge; it is one of the easiest carvings to find.
Rock Carving #9, Roanoke Ridge location
On a large rock wall east of Deer Cottage in the far northeast, near Annesburg. You can spot it from the road below, and climbing to the second level of the ridge gets you close enough to inspect it.
Rock Carving #10, Heartlands Dakota River location
Northwest of Flatneck Station, on the rise above the Dakota River bend near Caliban’s Seat. Head for the formation that looks like two stone walls stacked on top of each other; the carving is near the top.