Caves in ARK: Survival Evolved are the ultimate test of a survivor's preparation, tames, and tactical knowledge. These subterranean environments serve a dual purpose: they are the only source of the Artifacts required to summon world bosses, and they house some of the highest-tier loot crates in the game. Navigating these locations requires more than just knowing coordinates; it requires understanding the unique environmental hazards and mob densities that can end a run in seconds.

The following is a comprehensive breakdown of the essential cave locations on The Island, complete with strategic insights for players aiming to complete the Obelisk requirements.

Lower South Cave (Artifact of the Hunter)

  • Coordinates: 80.3, 53.5
  • Environment: Low temperature, cramped passages.
  • Threats: Titanoboa, Pulmonoscorpius, Araneo, Megalania.

This is often the first cave players encounter. Located in a ravine near the southern coast, it is the most accessible ark survival evolved cave location for early-game survivors. The path is relatively linear, though the presence of Megalania on the ceilings can lead to unexpected Rabies infections.

Strategic Recommendation: A high-level Raptor or a small pack of Compsys can handle the mob density, but a Baryonyx is the gold standard here. Its ability to fit through the narrow entrance and its stun attack makes the snakes and spiders trivial. Always bring Stimberries or Stimulants to counter the high torpor damage from the scorpions and snakes.

Central Cave (Artifact of the Clever)

  • Coordinates: 41.5, 46.9
  • Environment: Extremely cold, vertical drops, water sections.
  • Threats: Onyc, Arthropluera, Sarcosuchus, Mega Piranha.

The Central Cave, located near the Volcano, transitions quickly from narrow crawling spaces to wide, water-filled chambers. The primary danger here is the Arthropluera, whose spit can shatter high-durability Flak armor in a single hit.

Strategic Recommendation: Do not bring expensive armor; primitive Flak or high-quality Ghillie is often more cost-effective. A Baryonyx is essential for the water sections to deal with the piranhas. If traveling on foot, use a Chalicotherium for ranged boulder tosses or a Direwolf for its high damage output and sniff ability to detect hidden Megalania.

Upper South Cave (Artifact of the Pack)

  • Coordinates: 68.2, 56.2
  • Environment: Extreme cold, complex navigation, underwater segments.
  • Threats: Onyc, Megalosaurus (at night), Titanoboa.

This cave is notorious for its confusing layout and the "Megalosaurus trap." During the day, these predators sleep, but entering this location at night increases the difficulty exponentially. The temperature drops significantly, making Fria Curry a necessity for survival.

Strategic Recommendation: This cave requires a mount with a small hit-box but high health. The Thylacoleo is arguably the best choice if you can maneuver it through the tighter spots, as it can climb walls to bypass difficult mob clusters. Bring a Grappling Hook; it is often the only way to retrieve your body if you fall into the deeper pits.

South East Cave (Artifact of the Massive)

  • Coordinates: 70.6, 86.1
  • Environment: Extreme heat, lava pits, narrow ledges.
  • Threats: Onyc, Araneo, Pulmonoscorpius, Dilophosaur.

Commonly referred to as the Lava Cave, this location is the polar opposite of the southern caves. The heat will rapidly dehydrate you, and one misstep leads to an instant death in the lava. This is one of the most dangerous ark survival evolved cave locations for mounts because of the precarious jumping puzzles.

Strategic Recommendation: Leave larger mounts at the entrance. A high-melee Megaloceros or a Procoptodon can make the jumps easier, but most veterans prefer a high-level Baryonyx for its versatility. Bring Calien Soup to mitigate the heat and at least three full Canteens. The artifact is located at the very end of a long, lava-flanked walkway.

North West Cave (Artifact of the Skylord)

  • Coordinates: 19.3, 19.0
  • Environment: Narrow gaps, instant-death pits.
  • Threats: Onyc, Araneo.

This cave is unique because it cannot be traversed by traditional mounts. It consists of narrow ledges overlooking bottomless pits. While the enemy variety is low, the environment itself is the primary antagonist.

Strategic Recommendation: This is a "foot run" cave. Bring a Shield to block Onyc attacks and plenty of Grappling Hooks. Use the hooks to tether yourself to the ceiling or walls when fighting; this prevents the knockback from a bat attack from sending you into the abyss. Medical Brews are vital here, as the Onyc frequently carry Mega Rabies.

North East Cave (Artifact of the Devourer)

  • Coordinates: 14.7, 85.4
  • Environment: Verticality, bottomless pits, high mob density.
  • Threats: Onyc, Araneo, Pulmonoscorpius, Megalania.

Located on "Dead Island" (Carnivore Island), this cave requires a journey to the northeast corner of the map. The cave is essentially a giant spiral leading down into a pit. One wrong move results in a fall that is rarely survivable.

Strategic Recommendation: A high-level Thylacoleo is the preferred mount due to its ability to climb the vertical walls of the pit. Alternatively, a Direwolf can clear the mobs quickly, but the risk of falling is higher. Parachutes and Grappling Hooks are mandatory equipment for this location.

Swamp Cave (Artifact of the Immune)

  • Coordinates: 62.7, 37.3
  • Environment: Poisonous gas, high-level insects, leeches.
  • Threats: Meganeura, Titanomyrma, Arthropluera, Leeches.

This is widely considered one of the most difficult non-underwater caves on The Island. The air is toxic, requiring either a Gas Mask or a full set of SCUBA gear (with a Ghillie or Riot piece) to prevent rapid health depletion. The mobs here spawn at levels well beyond the world cap (up to level 300+ in some settings).

Strategic Recommendation: A high-level Megatherium is the undisputed king of the Swamp Cave. Its "Insect Killer" buff provides a massive boost to damage and resistance when killing the constant swarms of ants and dragonflies. If the entrance is too narrow on your server settings, use a Cryopod to deploy it inside. Without a Megatherium, this cave is a war of attrition that most players lose.

Snow Cave (Artifact of the Strong)

  • Coordinates: 29.1, 31.8
  • Environment: Extreme sub-zero temperatures, underwater tunnels.
  • Threats: Yutyrannus, Direwolf, Purlovia, Polar Bear, Yeti.

This is the pinnacle of land caves. The enemies here are stronger, faster, and more numerous than anywhere else. The Purlovia are the main threat, as they will dismount you and leave you vulnerable to the high-damage Yetis and Polar Bears.

Strategic Recommendation: Do not attempt this without a high-armor saddle on a top-tier tame. A Yutyrannus or a high-level Rex (if Cryopods are used) are common choices, though a pair of bred Allosaurus can also work well. You must wear high-quality Fur armor or use multiple Fria Curries to stay alive. Use a Shield at all times when moving to block the Purlovia pounce.

Caverns of Lost Faith (Artifact of the Brute)

  • Coordinates: 53.7, 10.4
  • Environment: Underwater, high pressure, narrow tunnels.
  • Threats: Alpha Megalodon, Cnidaria, Electrophorus, Mosasaurus.

The first of the two major underwater ark survival evolved cave locations. The primary difficulty is the sheer volume of creatures that can stun-lock your mount.

Strategic Recommendation: A Basilosaurus is mandatory. Its immunity to the stun attacks of Cnidaria and Electrophorus makes it the only safe choice for navigating the narrow, creature-dense tunnels. While a Tusoteuthis or Mosasaurus has more power, they can be easily overwhelmed and stun-locked to death in the tighter corridors of this cavern.

Caverns of Lost Hope (Artifact of the Cunning)

  • Coordinates: 45.9, 88.9
  • Environment: Underwater, vast open spaces mixed with tight crevices.
  • Threats: Alpha Mosasaurus, Tusoteuthis, Plesiosaur, huge schools of Megalodons.

This is arguably the hardest cave on The Island. The density of Alpha predators is staggering. It is common to encounter multiple Alpha Megalodons and Mosasauruses in a single room.

Strategic Recommendation: Bring a high-level, imprinted Basilosaurus with a high-armor saddle. For backup, a pack of high-level Megalodons (6-8) on follow can provide the necessary DPS to clear the Alpha predators. Ensure you have multiple SCUBA tanks, as the journey to the artifact and back can take a significant amount of time.

The Tek Cave and Ascension

  • Coordinates: 43.1, 39.1
  • Location: The summit of the Volcano.

This is the endgame location. It requires all three boss trophies (Broodmother, Megapithecus, Dragon) at the desired difficulty level to open. The door remains open for a limited time, and the cave is a gauntlet of every high-tier predator in the game, ending in the final boss fight.

Strategic Recommendation: The most common strategy involves a line of high-stat Rexes or Therizinosaurs. Giganotosaurus can be used for the initial pathing but cannot enter the final teleporter to the boss arena. Movement is key; don't get stuck on the terrain, as the lava at the bottom is an instant death for both survivor and tame.

Essential Gear for Cave Exploration

Regardless of which ark survival evolved cave location you are targeting, certain items should never be left behind:

  1. Grappling Hooks: Essential for vertical navigation and avoiding pits.
  2. Medical Brews: The primary way to recover health while under status effects like poison or rabies.
  3. Stimulants: To counter the high torpor damage of cave-dwelling insects and reptiles.
  4. Otters: These small shoulder pets provide incredible thermal insulation, helping you survive the extreme cold of the Snow Cave or the heat of the Lava Cave.
  5. Cryopods: Essential for bringing larger tames into caves with narrow entrances.

Choosing the Right Tame for the Job

While individual preference plays a role, certain tames are objectively better for cave runs based on the current 2026 meta:

  • Baryonyx: The best all-rounder. It can jump, swim, and stun enemies. Its heal-on-kill mechanic (eating fish) makes it incredibly sustainable.
  • Thylacoleo: Exceptional for caves with verticality like the North East cave. Its bleed damage is great for high-health targets.
  • Megatherium: Specifically for the Swamp Cave. Its insect buff is a game-changer.
  • Basilosaurus: The only viable choice for underwater caves due to its stun immunity.

Conclusion and Final Advice

Finding the ark survival evolved cave locations is only the first step. Success in these dungeons depends on your ability to adapt to the environment. Always scout the entrance first, check the temperature, and ensure your tames have the necessary armor to survive Arthropluera acid or Purlovia pounces. Most importantly, never enter a cave without a backup plan; the narrow corridors and sudden drops of ARK’s subterranean world are as unforgiving as they are rewarding.