Finding all 30 dinosaur bones in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a requirement for completing the "A Test of Faith" Stranger mission. This task spans the entire map, from the lush forests of New Hanover to the arid deserts of New Austin. While some bones are easily spotted on cliff sides, others are tucked away inside caves or buried in the beds of dried-up creeks. This activity is more than just a collectible hunt; it is a journey into the paleontology of the late 19th century, rewarding players with unique crafting materials and a rare melee weapon.

Starting the Quest: A Test of Faith

The mission begins in the Heartlands, New Hanover. To the southeast of Horseshoe Overlook, an amateur paleontologist named Deborah MacGuiness can be found excavating a site. Engaging with her triggers the quest. She explains her ambition to reconstruct a complete dinosaur skeleton and asks for the coordinates of any fossilized remains found across the country.

Once a bone is discovered, its location must be recorded. Unlike other collectibles that are physically picked up, these are noted down. To progress, these coordinates must be mailed to Deborah from any Post Office. There is no need to find all 30 before visiting a post office; in fact, mailing them in batches is required to receive milestone rewards.

Reward Tiers and the Jawbone Knife

The rewards for this mission are sent via the mail system after a certain number of coordinates have been submitted and a specific amount of in-game time has passed.

  • 1 Bone Location Mailed: You receive a Quartz Chunk. This is a vital crafting ingredient used at a Fence to create the Bear Claw Talisman, which permanently decreases Health Core drain speed by 10%.
  • 15 Bone Locations Mailed: You receive a Skull Statue. This is a unique item that can be sold to a Fence for a high price, representing a significant monetary boost in the early to mid-game.
  • 30 Bone Locations Mailed: After mailing the final coordinate, Deborah will send an invitation to her ranch at Firwood Rise in Cumberland Forest. Visiting her leads to the mission's conclusion and the acquisition of the Jawbone Knife, a unique weapon made from fossilized bone.

Heartlands and Scarlett Meadows Bone Locations

This region contains some of the most accessible bones, many of which can be found shortly after starting Chapter 2.

  1. Heartlands Oil Field: This bone is hidden at the bottom of a well directly underneath the oil derrick. You must climb down the ladder to find the fossil embedded in the floor of the well.
  2. Heartlands Dewberry Creek: Located just to the west of Dewberry Creek. The bone is lying out in the open on a slightly elevated patch of dirt.
  3. Scarlett Meadows Dewberry Creek: Travel south from the previous location into Lemoyne. The bone is situated in the open, near the border of the dried-up creek bed.
  4. Heartlands Grassy Hill: East of Flatneck Station, look for a prominent grassy hill. The bone is resting on the surface near the summit.
  5. Heartlands Cliff Face: This one is located at the base of a rocky cliff near the border of the Grizzlies. It is partially obscured by brush, so using Eagle Eye is recommended to spot the golden particles.
  6. Heartlands Abandoned Shack: South of a small, dilapidated cabin, the bone is lying on the ground. This area is relatively flat, making the fossil stand out against the grass.

Cumberland Forest and Grizzlies Bone Locations

The terrain becomes significantly more vertical in these regions, requiring careful navigation of cliff edges.

  1. Cumberland Forest Six Point Overlook: At the very top of the cliff at Six Point Overlook. It sits right on the edge, providing a view of the valley below.
  2. Cumberland Forest Bacchus Station: Southwest of Bacchus Station, search for a stone spike at the top of a rock cliff. The bone is located right next to this natural pillar.
  3. Grizzlies Calumet Ravine: In the red rocky outcrops near the top of the hill in Calumet Ravine. The red hue of the rocks can make the bone difficult to see without Eagle Eye.
  4. Grizzlies Dakota River Ledge: This fossil is on a small, narrow ledge just below the top of a cliff overlooking the Dakota River. It requires a bit of careful platforming to reach without falling.
  5. Grizzlies Northern Boundary: Found on a grassy hill in the open near the northern edge of the map. This is one of the more isolated locations.
  6. Grizzlies O'Creagh's Run Overlook: On the ridgeline directly west of the lake at O'Creagh's Run. It offers a panoramic view of the water.
  7. Grizzlies Rock Wall: Located at the base of a massive rock cliff. It is embedded in the stone rather than lying on the surface.

Roanoke Ridge and Lemoyne Bone Locations

Roanoke Ridge is notorious for its dense forests and uneven terrain. Patience is required when searching these woods.

  1. Roanoke Ridge Valley Overlook: On the cliff that overlooks the path heading down toward the Brandywine Drop waterfall. Look for the highest point of the cliff.
  2. Roanoke Ridge Kamassa River: Situated on an intermediate level of the cliffs on the west side of the Kamassa River. You may need to descend from the top carefully to land on the correct ledge.
  3. Roanoke Ridge Van Horn: Located just south of the Van Horn Trading Post. The bone is thick and lying in a clearing surrounded by trees.
  4. Roanoke Ridge Overlook: South of the railway bridge on a small rocky plateau. This area is often frequented by hostile wildlife, so remain alert.
  5. Lemoyne Old Trail Rise: Located near the border of the Heartlands and Lemoyne. The bone is tucked between a few large boulders under the "L" in Lemoyne on the map.

Big Valley and West Elizabeth Bone Locations

These locations often involve caves and steep mountain paths.

  1. Big Valley Rocky Slope: On a rocky hill in the open, north of Strawberry. It is relatively easy to spot compared to the mountain fossils.
  2. Big Valley Beryl's Dream Overlook: Halfway up Mount Shann, where the path winds in a distinct "S" shape. The bone is on a rocky outcrop.
  3. Big Valley Northern Cave: This bone is located deep inside a cave at the bottom of Mount Hagen. You will need a lantern to navigate the darkness.
  4. West Elizabeth Beryl's Dream: South of the previous Mount Shann location, on a cliff edge beside the road.
  5. West Elizabeth Vetter's Echo: Located between the letters "W" and "E" of West Elizabeth on the map. It is near the cabin known as Vetter's Echo.

New Austin Bone Locations (Epilogue Only)

The final eight bones are located in New Austin. Due to the bounty on Arthur Morgan's head in this region, these fossils are effectively locked until the Epilogue. Attempting to reach them earlier is technically possible through glitches, but the intended gameplay experience involves finding them as John Marston.

  1. Cholla Springs High Desert: Inside a small rock wall at the base of a hill. The desert sun makes the fossilized bone appear very bright.
  2. Cholla Springs Jorge's Gap: On a hill southwest of Jorge's Gap. It is partially hidden by thick desert bushes.
  3. Hennigan's Stead Pike's Basin: On an elevated plateau at the western end of the canyon. Accessing this requires navigating the trails of Pike's Basin.
  4. Hennigan's Stead San Luis River: Just above the river shore, north of a small islet in the San Luis River. It is on a flat sandy patch.
  5. Rio Bravo Del Lobo Rock: On a small slope near the eastern tip of the Rio Del Lobo Rock formation. The terrain is quite steep here.
  6. Rio Bravo San Luis River Overlook: On a large rocky plateau that overlooks Fort Mercer. It is one of the easier New Austin bones to find due to the flat terrain of the plateau.
  7. Gaptooth Ridge Tumbleweed (North): At the top of the cliff overlooking the canyon on the east side of Tumbleweed.
  8. Gaptooth Ridge Tumbleweed (South): At the southeast edge of the plateau overlooking Tumbleweed. This final bone completes the collection.

Strategies for Efficient Discovery

Finding these bones without assistance is one of the most difficult challenges in Red Dead Redemption 2. The game world is vast, and the fossils are often small and blend into the environment. To improve efficiency, players should utilize the Eagle Eye mechanic (pressing both thumbsticks simultaneously). While in Eagle Eye, dinosaur bones will emit a shimmering golden dust cloud that rises into the air, visible from a significant distance. This is especially helpful at night.

Another strategy is to integrate bone hunting into other activities. Many bones are located near Legendary Animal territories or near Treasure Map locations. Combining these tasks reduces the amount of repetitive backtracking required. Furthermore, ensure you have enough money for postage; mailing 30 coordinates individually or in small batches can add up, though it is a negligible cost by the mid-game.

Completing the Mission and the Reward Ceremony

Once the 30th coordinate has been mailed, a period of 24 in-game hours must pass. You will then receive a letter from Deborah MacGuiness at any Post Office. The letter contains an invitation to visit her home at Firwood Rise.

Upon arriving, a cutscene will play where Deborah reveals the "skeleton" she has built. It is a bizarre, scientifically inaccurate chimera made from the various bones you provided. Despite the absurdity of the creation, she remains grateful and awards you the Jawbone Knife. This knife features a blade fashioned from a fossilized tooth or jaw fragment and a handle wrapped in leather. It is a unique item that cannot be purchased or found anywhere else in the game, serving as a trophy for your dedication to 19th-century paleontology.

Collecting all rdr2 bone locations is also a requirement for those seeking the 100% Completion trophy/achievement. While time-consuming, the rewards—specifically the Quartz Chunk for the talisman and the unique knife—provide tangible benefits to your character's stats and arsenal. The journey through the varied landscapes of the American frontier to find these ancient remains offers a quieter, more contemplative side to the game’s often violent world.