How to get all keycards in Sons of the Forest

Finding a Sons of the forest keycard
(Image credit: Endnight Games)

There are three Sons of the Forest keycards, maintenance, VIP and guest, which open various bunkers around the island. Some allow you to access other keycards in turn, creating a clear path of progression, and form an integral part of the story. Each keycard bunker will also open up new loot, weapons, resources and more, so even if you're not bothered about the plot, they'll help you survive.

The keycards aren't something you can grab straight away, however, as getting the first one requires the Sons of the Forest shovel, which in turn needs the Sons of the Forest rope gun and the Sons of the Forest rebreather to reach. Those three things are big chunk of game in their own right so if you've not got them already, focus on those guides for now. But if you have them already, read on for all the locations for the Sons of the Forest keycards!

All Sons of the Forest keycard locations

Sons of the forest keycard map

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

This map shows the three Sons of the Forest keycards and the order to get them in: 

  1. Maintenance keycard
  2. VIP keycard
  3. Guest keycard

Just remember you'll need the shovel to get started so check the guide I mentioned above if you haven't. 

Each keycard is marked by the green circles on your map, which we've marked above. Remember to do them in this order as you play through Sons of the Forest as you'll need the Maintenance key card to reach the VIP keycard, and both of those will then open doors in the area where you'll get the Guest keycard from. 

Now, let's take a look at how to get all three Sons of the Forest keycards in turn.

Sons of the Forest Maintenance Key card

Sons of the forest maintenance keycard location

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

You'll need to start with the Sons of the Forest maintenance key card as it opens the door to the next card location. Head to the spot on the map above, and look for a golf cart in a clearing with some survey equipment. Investigate the area in the middle and you should see a shovel prompt appear, which will let you dig out the Maintenance A hatch. 

Sons of the forest maintenance a hatch

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

Inside you'll find a long thin corridor. Take care as at the end you'll find some baby enemies in a storeroom, so take them out first. Once the area's clear you can check out the room just off the corridor. The Maintenance keycard is on the desk next to the 3D printer. 

Sons of the Forest VIP keycard

Sons of the forest VIP keycard location

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

The Sons of the Forest VIP keycard is found here on the island, in a small cave near more golf carts. Head inside and you'll pass through a small cave passage that will lead to a hatch labelled Food and Dining. Open it, climb down, and you'll find yourself in a store room. There will be some bodies full of crossbow bolts you'll want to grab, as you'll find the crossbow itself later. Use the Maintenance Card on the door with the keypad to proceed. 

Sons of the forest VIP plant room

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

Once you've used the Maintenance card to open the door you'll find yourself in a room full of plants. There will be some babies in here so take them out before proceeding. In between the plant racks you will also find the crossbow. 

There's a door leading into shadow at the end of the room but be careful - there is a finger enemy in there so be ready for a fight. Once it's taken care of, head into another storage area with some supplies to grab. Keep moving forward into a corridor full of water and follow this path until you a door at the end of the corridor. 

Sons of the forest VIP keycard door

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

This door needs the VIP keycard so look for a left turn as you approach it. Head in when you see the door and follow this path until you reach a control room with screens on the wall. The VIP keycard is on the desk under these screens. Once you have it you can then access the VIP area. Inside you'll find a fancy dining area full of dead mutants and not much else. You can either leave the way you came in or swim out through the water past the broken windows. You'll meet a lot of enemies that way though so it's not really worth it. 

Sons of the Forest Guest keycard

Sons of the forest Guest keycard location

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

The Sons of the Forest guest keycard is the final one you can find for the moment, and it's here on the map. Look out for an overgrown golf cart which is just in front of a cave mouth. Head in, through the cave passage, and into a corridor where you'll find a room with a bed, 3D printer and supplies, including crossbow bolts. Leave the room and you'll see light at the end of the tunnel to your right. Go this way and turn right again when you reach the end to find a door. 

Sons of the forest guest keycard door

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

The maintenance keycard will open this door into a dark gym area. The first part of this area is safe but be careful when you get to the otherside: on the right is a pool area full of babies and on the left is another gym space full of blind cannibals. You can probably ignore the pool as there's nothing much there but you're going to have to fight your way through the cannibals as there's a lot more enemies to come so it's best to take them out as you go. Once you've cleared them you'll be able to see an orange area with a reception desk. 

Sons of the forest guest keycard gym area

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

There are three finger enemies here - one behind the reception desk and two in front of the doors either side in the area behind. Sneak past of take them out and move through the doors where you'll find some stairs going up to another pool area. 

Sons of the forest guest keycard pool

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

At the end of this area you'll see a keycard door to your right and a bar. If you move into the bar and head to the seating area at the back you'll find the Guest keycard on a table surrounded by bodies. 

Getting the Sons of the forest guest keycard

(Image credit: Endnight Games)

However, you're not done yet. There's also a locked door by the bar that the VIP keycard opens where you'll find some supplies and a shotgun rail. If you go back to the locked door just before the bar you can open it to reach another room - to one side is a tunnel that leaves the bunker (there's a drop making it one way so it's not really worth it) and a cinema at the back where you can get the chainsaw from the body of one of the audience. You'll have to fight some blind cannibals, babies and a finger in this areas.

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Leon Hurley
Managing editor for guides

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for guides, which means I run GamesRadar's guides and tips content. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, action adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website. 

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