Sons of the Forest Bunkers: Best Order, Keycards, Loot & Tips

Sons of the Forest’s island doesn’t just feature striking natural landmarks — it also hides countless secrets beneath the surface. Chief among them are hidden bunkers that are key to the story and reveal what’s really going on. If you’ve cleared a few caves and maybe built a small base, it’s time to explore the bunkers in the right order. You’ll uncover story clues, rare items, and plenty of loot. This guide shows you the optimal order, the required keycards and items — plus helpful tips for each bunker.

Sons of the Forest bunkers: Gear up and prepare before you go in

Don’t head into bunkers unprepared — tight corridors hide tough mutants that can drop you fast. Fights are cramped, so preparation matters.

Recommendations before your first bunker:

• Shovel: Required for most entrances.
• Light source: Flashlight (with batteries) or a lighter.
• Healing & provisions: Medicine, food, and water for longer runs.
• Armor & weapons: At least bone or tech armor, plus a pistol/shotgun with ammo.
• Save point: Build a tent at the entrance to restart quickly.

Tip: Clear the three main caves first to get essential tools (like the shovel). These guides help:

• (Sons of the Forest Caves: Best Order, Locations & Tips)
• (Sons of the Forest: Nutrition Guide to Hunting, Fishing & Foraging)

Sons of the Forest bunker order: All 7 locations, access, and loot

Below is the optimal order for all seven bunkers, including requirements, locations, and notable loot.

1. Maintenance A: Location, access, and loot

You’ll find the first maintenance bunker by following a river north. About halfway up you’ll see a yellow digger and both broken and working golf carts. Next to a white golf cart, the entrance is buried — dig it out with the shovel.

This bunker is small but gives early story hints and useful tools. There’s also a 3D printer available.

You can find:

• Maintenance Keycard
• Firefighter Axe
• Pistol Rail
• Laser Sight for the pistol
• Tuxedo outfit for you or Kelvin

2. Maintenance B: Flooded bunker with an important bow

In the southwest, near a hiking path, you’ll spot another golf cart and crates — that’s the second entrance. Much of it is flooded, so there’s less to explore, but the loot is key. There’s also a 3D printer with printer resin.

You can find:

• Compound Bow
• Pistol Suppressor

3. Maintenance C: Golf course bunker with no enemies and a revolver

This bunker sits in the northeast on the golf course, near a military camp. Survey gear and a golf cart mark the spot. Dig in the middle to reveal the entrance.

The bunker is unfinished, very short, and best of all: no enemies. Bring a light — there isn’t much loot, but it does hold a valuable weapon.

You can find:

• Revolver

4. Food and Dining bunker: VIP Keycard, Crossbow, and supplies

In the northwest, you can access this bunker with the Maintenance Keycard from Maintenance A. You’ll find plenty of food to restock and more story clues.

Search the lower levels carefully — there’s another keycard here that opens new areas.

You can find:

• Crossbow
• Dress for Virginia
• Shotgun Rail
• VIP Keycard

5. Entertainment bunker: Theater, bar, chainsaw, and Guest Keycard

With the VIP Keycard, a large bunker opens downriver from the forest spawn. Without a keycard you could only reach the 3D printer — now you can explore everything: home theater, bar, gym, and more. Caution: mutants have moved in.

You can find:

• Chainsaw
• Guitar
• Tracksuit outfit
• Guest Keycard
• Additional 3D printer

6. Residential bunker: Katana, Golden Mask, and story progress

Tackle this one late: it’s packed with mutants and contains major story elements. It’s in the east, right by the large lake. Use the Guest Keycard to enter.

Work through the levels, grab valuable items, and reach the security wing. There you’ll unlock the door to the final bunker — opening the endgame.

You can find:

• Katana
• Pistol
• Golf Club
• Golden Mask
• Flashlight Attachment (pistol)
• Camouflage Suit
• Space Suit
• Leather Suit

7. Luxury bunker: Endgame access and the Hell Cave

For the story’s ending, head to the Luxury bunker after Residential — on the island’s east coast, further north along the beach. The clearly visible entrance only opens via the previously unlocked security panel.

Prepare for tough fights against powerful mutants. At the end you’ll reach a mysterious door that leads into the Hell Cave and toward the finale. You’ll need the Golden Armor for this.

Conclusion: How to clear every Sons of the Forest bunker

Follow the right order and you’ll steadily pick up the keycards, powerful weapons, and crucial story clues you need. Progress gets much easier — solo or in co-op. Want to tackle the bunkers together? Rent a server here: Rent one of our Sons of the Forest servers. Tight corridors make many encounters tricky — as a team you’ll be better prepared and experience the story all the way to the end.