For any dedicated gunslinger or explorer in the vast world of Red Dead Redemption 2, the pursuit of dinosaur bones is one of the most fascinating and rewarding side activities out there. This quest, known as 'A Test of Faith,' perfectly captures the late 19th-century fascination with paleontology and sends players on a wild goose chase across five distinct regions. It's not just about finding old bones; it's about piecing together a prehistoric puzzle that Rockstar has masterfully woven into the fabric of the American frontier. As of 2026, this quest remains a fan-favorite, a testament to the game's enduring depth and attention to detail that keeps players coming back for more, even years after its initial release.

the-ultimate-guide-to-dinosaur-bones-in-red-dead-redemption-2-image-0

How to Kick Off Your Paleontology Career

Before you can start your grand fossil hunt, you gotta meet the right person. That person is Deborah MacGuiness, an elderly and passionate paleontologist. You'll find her, bless her soul, crouched in a crater in the Heartlands, meticulously brushing dirt off a discovery. To find her, simply ride south from the 'H' in Heartlands on your map. She's the one who gives Arthur Morgan the quest 'A Test of Faith,' tasking him with finding all 30 dinosaur bones scattered across the map. Pro tip: while you can stumble upon bones before meeting her, you can't do diddly-squat with them until you've had that initial chat. So, save yourself the hassle and go see the good doctor first.

The rewards for this tedious task are, frankly, pretty sweet:

  • First Bone Found: A quartz chunk. Nice little trinket.

  • 15 Bones Found: A Skull Statue for your camp or mantle.

  • All 30 Bones Found: The pièce de résistance, the Jaw Bone Knife. This unique melee weapon is the real prize for completing this marathon of a collection.

the-ultimate-guide-to-dinosaur-bones-in-red-dead-redemption-2-image-1

Bone Hunting 101: Where to Look

These ancient relics aren't just lying around in the open prairie. You gotta have an eagle eye. The bones are typically found in specific geological spots:

  • Embedded in cliff walls.

  • Jutting out of rock formations.

  • Sometimes, just sticking out of the ground in remote areas.

It's a true test of observation. You'll be climbing mountains, fording rivers, and exploring every nook and cranny. Trust me, it's a whole vibe.

Region-by-Region Bone Breakdown

Alright, partner, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here’s where you need to saddle up and explore. We've broken it down by region for your convenience.

1. Cumberland Forest & The Heartlands

This is your starting area and home to the Van der Linde gang after Colter. It's also where you meet Deborah, making it the logical first hunting ground.

  • The Heartlands: Contains six dinosaur bones. Two are conveniently located not far from Deborah's crater. While you're here, soak in the atmosphere of Valentine, one of the game's most iconic towns.

  • Cumberland Forest: The smallest region in the game, it only has two bones to its name. A quick in-and-out job.

2. Roanoke Ridge & Lemoyne

These regions are a bit more... civilized, and thus, have fewer bones. Probably all those towns and farms disturbing the ancient burial grounds!

the-ultimate-guide-to-dinosaur-bones-in-red-dead-redemption-2-image-2

  • Lemoyne: Home to just two dinosaur bones, both chilling in the northwest corner of the region. They're not far from one of the game's coolest Easter eggs, so keep your eyes peeled for more than just bones!

  • Roanoke Ridge: You'll find three bones here, all located north of the notoriously polluted Elysian Pool. The distance between them is no joke, so you might want to tackle this region in separate trips. Ain't nobody got time for all that riding in one go.

3. Ambarino & West Elizabeth

Now we're talking about some serious wilderness. These are huge, sprawling regions perfect for getting lost in.

the-ultimate-guide-to-dinosaur-bones-in-red-dead-redemption-2-image-3

  • Ambarino: This snowy, mountainous region holds the second-largest cache of bones, with five in total. Most are in the Grizzlies East, but one stubborn fossil is way out in the Grizzlies West, near the border of Cumberland Forest. Bundle up!

  • West Elizabeth: A bit easier to manage. All three of its dinosaur bones are located north of the quaint town of Strawberry. Perfect for a collecting spree when you first ride into the area.

4. New Austin – The Final Frontier

Here's the kicker, folks. As Arthur Morgan, this region is a big no-no due to that infamous invisible sniper. However, this is where the bulk of your work will be if you're playing as John Marston in the epilogue. New Austin is the grand finale, holding a whopping eight dinosaur bones.

the-ultimate-guide-to-dinosaur-bones-in-red-dead-redemption-2-image-4

The bones are evenly distributed across its sub-regions:

Sub-Region Number of Bones
Gaptooth Ridge 2
Rio Bravo 2
Hennigan's Stead 2
Cholla Springs 2

Diving deep into this once-forbidden desert is the final step to completing your collection and claiming that coveted Jaw Bone Knife. It's the ultimate capstone to a journey millions of players have undertaken since the game's release.

Why This Quest Still Rocks in 2026

Even nearly a decade after Red Dead Redemption 2's release, the dinosaur bone hunt stands as a pinnacle of open-world design. It's not a mindless checklist; it's an invitation to explore every biome the game has to offer, from snowy peaks to arid deserts. The quest adds a layer of scholarly pursuit to Arthur's or John's rough-and-tumble life, showing a different side to the frontier experience. For completionists, it's a marathon. For lore enthusiasts, it's a fascinating historical footnote. And for everyone else, it's just a darn good reason to keep riding into the sunset, long after the main story credits have rolled. So grab your hat, partner, and happy hunting! You're in for one hell of a ride.

the-ultimate-guide-to-dinosaur-bones-in-red-dead-redemption-2-image-5