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How to Find Every RDR2 Dreamcatcher Location and Claim Your Reward
There are 20 dreamcatchers scattered across the northern and eastern regions of the map. Finding them all unlocks the Ancient Arrowhead , a permanent trinket that doubles your stamina duration when using a bow. This quest can be completed entirely as Arthur Morgan starting in Chapter 2. After collecting all 20, you must visit the cave behind the waterfall at Elysian Pool to claim your prize.
Why You Should Hunt for Dreamcatchers in Red Dead Redemption 2
In the vast world of Red Dead Redemption 2, collectibles often feel like a chore, but the dreamcatcher quest stands out as a top choice for players early in the game. Unlike the Dinosaur Bones or Rock Carvings, which require significant travel into late-game areas, all 20 dreamcatchers are accessible as soon as you reach Horseshoe Overlook in Chapter 2.
The primary draw is the Ancient Arrowhead . This item is widely regarded as one of the most useful hunting tools in the game. When held in your inventory, it provides a passive buff that allows you to hold your bow at full draw for twice as long. This is exceptionally strong for players aiming for "Perfect Pelts," as it gives you the extra time needed to line up a clean headshot on skittish legendary animals or fast-moving deer.
Furthermore, for those chasing the "Best in the West" achievement, finding all 20 dreamcatchers is a mandatory requirement for 100% completion. According to Red Dead Wiki , these items are part of the "Collectibles" strand of the progress menu. Completing this task also fills Arthur’s journal with unique sketches that eventually reveal a hidden map—a buffalo silhouette that points directly to the final treasure.
Image source: GameRant
How to Start the Dreamcatcher Quest in Chapter 2
One of the unique aspects of this quest is that it does not require an NPC to trigger. You don't need to find a "Stranger" or read a specific letter. The quest begins the moment you find and "Inspect" your first dreamcatcher tree. Once you do, Arthur will sketch the location in his journal, and a new entry will appear in your Tasks menu.
Because all locations are situated in New Hanover, Ambarino, and Lemoyne, you do not need to worry about the "Invisible Sniper" or the law in New Austin. This makes it a popular choice for players who want to maximize Arthur's capabilities before the story takes a darker turn. Based on community testing, it takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour to visit every location if you follow an optimized path.
An Optimized Route to Collect All 20 Dreamcatchers
To save you from the game’s notoriously long travel times, we have designed a "One-Trip" counter-clockwise loop. This route starts near Valentine, moves through the Heartlands, dips into Lemoyne, heads north through Roanoke Ridge, crosses the peaks of Ambarino, and finishes back near Cumberland Forest. This strategy ranks among the most efficient ways to clear the quest in a single sitting.
Phase 1: The Heartlands and Scarlett Meadows
Phase 2: The Forests of Roanoke Ridge
As you move into Roanoke Ridge, the terrain becomes much more vertical and densely forested. Navigation here can be tricky, so relying on your horse's ability to navigate steep slopes is key. According to IGN's guide , the trees in this region are often tucked away from the main paths.
Phase 3: Crossing the Peaks of Ambarino
This is the most scenic part of the journey. We recommend using "The Loft" (a lookout tower in northeast Ambarino) as a fast-travel anchor or a place to rest. The elevation changes here are extreme, so watch your horse's stamina.
Phase 4: Finishing the Loop
The final stretch takes you through Cumberland Forest and back toward Valentine. These are often the easiest to miss because the forest is so thick with similar-looking trees.
How to Spot Dreamcatchers Using Audio and Visual Cues
Finding these items without a guide is a significant challenge, but the game provides several sensory cues to help you. If you are struggling to find a specific tree, pay attention to these three indicators:
- The Eagle Eye Glow
- By pressing L3 + R3 (or the equivalent on PC), you trigger Eagle Eye. Dreamcatchers will emit a yellow particle effect, similar to legendary animal tracks or herbs. This is a top-tier method for spotting them in dense fog or at night.
- The Wind-Chime Audio Cue
- As you approach a dreamcatcher, you will hear a distinct "jingle" or wind-chime sound. This audio cue grows louder the closer you get. Many players find that wearing headphones makes this process much easier.
- Haptic Feedback
- If you are playing with a controller, it will vibrate gently when you are standing within a few feet of an inspectable tree. If your controller rumbles but you don't see anything, look up—the dreamcatchers are often hanging high in the branches.
Why Am I Stuck at 19/20 Dreamcatchers?
A common community pain point is the "19/20 bug." This occurs when your map shows 20 dreamcatcher icons, but your progress menu insists you only have 19. This is not a game-breaking glitch, but rather a tracking error. It usually happens if you were interrupted (by a predator or an NPC) while Arthur was performing the "Inspect" animation.
Another potential cause is the Mission Replay Glitch . If you inspect a dreamcatcher while replaying a story mission from the menu, the game may update the map icon but fail to register the collectible toward your 100% completion progress. To fix this, you must manually re-visit the locations. Check your journal; if a sketch is missing, that is the tree you need to find again.
How to Navigate the Elysian Pool Cave for the Final Reward
Once you have successfully collected all 20, Arthur will make a final note in his journal. The sketches of the dreamcatchers, when viewed together, form the shape of a buffalo. The "eye" of this buffalo corresponds to a specific location: Elysian Pool .
Image source: Polygon.com
Finding the Entrance and Navigating the Dark
Head to the waterfall at the north end of Elysian Pool. You can walk right through the water into a hidden cave system. This area is pitch black, so you must have a lantern or use the electric lamp if you have unlocked it. The cave is dangerous; there are several steep drops that can result in an instant death for Arthur.
Follow the "Keep Left" rule. As you enter the main chamber, stay close to the left-hand wall. You will eventually see a small crawlspace. Crouch and move through it until you reach a larger cavern with orange-tinted sediment on the walls. Look for a large cave painting of a buffalo. In the "eye" of the buffalo, you will find a small hole. Interact with it to claim the Ancient Arrowhead .
| Item Name | Type | Effect | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Arrowhead | Trinket (Passive) | 2x Bow Stamina Duration | Elysian Pool Cave |
| Dreamcatcher Map | Journal Entry | Reveals Reward Location | Automatic after 20/20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find all dreamcatchers as Arthur Morgan?
Yes, you can. All 20 dreamcatchers are located in the states of New Hanover, Ambarino, and Lemoyne. None are located in the restricted New Austin area. This makes it one of the few collectible sets that Arthur can fully complete as early as Chapter 2, allowing you to use the Ancient Arrowhead reward for the majority of the game's story.
Do I need to talk to anyone to start the quest?
No NPC interaction is required. The quest is "discovered" rather than "given." The moment you find your first dreamcatcher and use the "Inspect" prompt, Arthur will create a journal entry and the quest will be tracked in your progress menu. This is a significant step forward in player freedom compared to other Rockstar titles that require a specific cutscene to begin side content.
What happens if I lose the Ancient Arrowhead?
You cannot lose the Ancient Arrowhead. Like all trinkets and talismans in Red Dead Redemption 2, it is a permanent unlock. Once you collect it from the cave painting, its effects are applied passively to your character. You do not need to equip it or select it from your inventory for the bow stamina buff to function.
Is there an in-game map I can buy for these?
Unlike the Cigarette Cards, there is no map available for purchase from a fence or general store. You must find them through exploration or by using a guide. However, as you find them, Arthur’s journal sketches will slowly form a map of their own, which eventually points you toward the Elysian Pool reward.
How long does it take to find them all?
If you are exploring naturally, it could take dozens of hours to stumble upon all 20. However, using an optimized route like the one provided in this guide, most players can finish the entire quest—including the cave navigation—in about 30 to 45 minutes. This makes it a highly impactful use of time for players looking to boost their hunting efficiency early on.
Key Takeaways for Finding Every Dreamcatcher
- Start in Chapter 2 to get the most value out of the bow stamina buff.
- Follow the counter-clockwise loop to minimize riding time across the map.
- Use Eagle Eye (L3+R3) to spot the yellow "glow" on the trees from a distance.
- Listen for the wind-chime jingle which indicates you are very close to a tree.
- Verify 20/20 progress in the menu before heading to the Elysian Pool cave.
- Bring a lantern for the cave navigation to avoid falling into deadly crevices.
- Inspect the buffalo eye in the cave painting to claim your Ancient Arrowhead.
Once you have the Ancient Arrowhead, try hunting a Legendary Animal to see the difference in your bow's draw time.
