Sons Of The Forest: 10 Best Places To Build Your Base (March 2026)
Building the perfect base in Sons Of The Forest can mean the difference between thriving on the cannibal-infested island and becoming dinner for the locals. I’ve spent countless hours testing different locations, surviving harsh winters, and defending against mutant attacks to bring you this comprehensive guide to the 10 best base-building spots in the game.
Sons Of The Forest: Best Base Locations at a Glance
| Location | Safety Rating | Resource Access | Building Space | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Peninsula | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Endgame Fortress |
| Central Lake Island | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Early-Mid Game |
| West Beach | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Balanced Gameplay |
| Mountain Cave | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | Hardcore Defense |
| Golf Course | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Mega Builders |
| Northern Beach | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Speedrunners |
| Abandoned Houses | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Quick Setup |
| Mountain Summit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | Scenic Views |
| Western Island | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Peaceful Building |
| Lakeside Peninsula | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Resource Rich |
The Best Base Locations in Sons Of The Forest
1. Southeastern Peninsula (Helipad/Docks Area)
I consider this the ultimate endgame location for experienced players. The Southeastern Peninsula offers everything you need for a permanent fortress: three sides protected by deep ocean water (which never freezes, unlike lakes), and a narrow land bridge that creates a perfect defensive chokepoint.
Why Build Here:
- Natural ocean barriers on three sides
- Pre-built helipads provide flat building surfaces
- Respawning loot crates nearby
- Abundant fish and seafood resources
- Regular shotgun shell spawns for late-game defense
- Perfect for massive multiplayer compounds
Challenges:
- Remote location requires significant travel time
- Limited early-game resources
- Requires established supply lines for wood
Building Tips: Start by fortifying the narrow land entrance with defensive walls and traps. Use the helipads as foundations for multi-story structures. Build ziplines connecting to mainland resource areas for efficient log transportation.
2. Central Lake Island (Coffin Lake)
This location has become legendary in the Sons Of The Forest community, and for good reason. The island in the center of the northwestern lake (shaped like Squidward or a coffin when viewed from above) provides near-perfect protection for three out of four seasons.
Why Build Here:
- Complete immunity from cannibal attacks (spring, summer, fall)
- Central location with good POI access
- Nearby 3D printer and crossbow
- Abundant freshwater
- Dense forest on the island for resources
Challenges:
- Lake freezes in winter, allowing enemy access
- Kelvin can’t reach the island without a bridge
- Initial resource transportation is difficult without rope gun
Building Tips: I recommend building a perimeter wall before winter arrives. Create multiple zipline entry/exit points for quick escapes. Consider building a secondary base on the shore for winter emergencies.
3. West Beach
The West Beach, identifiable by the orange life raft containing a pistol offshore, strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and defensibility. This location has become my go-to recommendation for new players transitioning from early to mid-game.
Why Build Here:
- Ocean provides rear defense
- Easy access to Entertainment Bunker
- Close to Rope Gun and Shovel caves
- Abundant seafood and sea turtles
- Natural shark deterrent (yes, the shark helps!)
Challenges:
- Open beachfront requires fortification
- Moderate to high cannibal traffic
- Seasonal storms can be intense
Building Tips: Build your main structure on stilts over the water to maximize ocean protection. Create a dock system for easy water access and consider building defensive walls in a semi-circle facing the forest.
4. Mountain Cave
For players seeking absolute security over convenience, the Mountain Cave offers fortress-like protection that’s nearly impossible to breach. This natural bunker has saved my life countless times during intense cannibal sieges.
Why Build Here:
- Single entrance creates ultimate chokepoint
- Complete protection from weather
- Immunity to all ranged attacks
- Natural rock walls eliminate need for fortification
- Hidden from aerial mutants
Challenges:
- Extremely limited building space
- No natural resources inside
- Kelvin cannot navigate cave interiors
- Can feel claustrophobic
- Difficult log transportation
Building Tips: Focus on compact, efficient designs. Build storage systems first, then living quarters. Create an external supply depot near the cave entrance for Kelvin to stock.
5. Golf Course
When I want to build something truly spectacular, the Golf Course in the northeast is my canvas. This location offers more flat, open space than anywhere else on the island, making it perfect for ambitious architectural projects.
Why Build Here:
- Massive flat building area
- Unique resources (golf carts, solar panels)
- Multiple water hazards for defense
- Central location for exploration
- Perfect for multiplayer cities
Challenges:
- High cannibal and mutant traffic
- Minimal natural defenses
- Requires extensive fortification
- Resource intensive to secure
Building Tips: Start with a small, fortified core and expand outward. Use the golf cart paths as natural boundaries for your base sections. The club house can be incorporated into your design for a unique aesthetic.
6. Northern Beach
The Northern Beach serves as an excellent staging ground for early-game progression. While not suitable for permanent residence, I’ve used this location countless times to gear up before moving inland.
Why Build Here:
- Close to Rebreather and Machete
- Flat terrain simplifies construction
- Ocean access for food
- Good visibility for spotting threats
- Natural sand provides clear building area
Challenges:
- Zero natural cover
- Proximity to dangerous caves
- Limited long-term viability
- Exposed to all weather conditions
Building Tips: Keep structures temporary and mobile. Focus on storage and crafting stations rather than elaborate defenses. Use this as a stepping stone to better locations.
7. Abandoned Houses (Upper East)
Abandoned houses are a good space if you don’t want to build your structures completely. These pre-existing structures near the VIP bunker offer a unique building opportunity that combines convenience with strategy.
Why Build Here:
- Pre-built structures save resources
- Near VIP bunker for late-game access
- Decent resource availability
- Some natural fortification
- Good for role-playing builds
Challenges:
- Structures may limit creative freedom
- Moderate cannibal presence
- Requires wall construction for full security
Building Tips: Reinforce existing structures first, then expand outward. Use the houses as central hubs and build connecting walkways between them. The existing walls can be incorporated into larger defensive perimeters.
8. Mountain Summit
For players who value views over convenience, the mountain summit positions offer breathtaking vantage points and natural defensive advantages. I built here once and never forgot the sunrise views.
Why Build Here:
- Incredible 360-degree views
- Natural elevation advantage
- Easier to spot approaching enemies
- Unique building challenges
- Access to exclusive mountain resources
Challenges:
- Steep terrain complicates building
- Harsh weather conditions
- Requires rope gun for access
- Limited flat building space
- Resource transportation is difficult
Building Tips: Use the 3D-printed sled for log transportation. Build in tiers following the mountain’s natural contours. Ziplines are essential for quick access to lower elevations.
9. Western Island
The small island on the map’s western edge represents the ultimate in peaceful building. Building a base on this small island completely protects the player from ALL cannibal attacks, allowing the players to live, sleep, and eat in complete leisure after having built their home.
Why Build Here:
- Complete immunity from all ground enemies
- Peaceful building experience
- Perfect for creative projects
- No defensive structures needed
- Ideal for players who prefer building over combat
Challenges:
- Extremely remote location
- Zero local resources
- Requires extensive supply runs
- Can become boring without threats
- Transportation logistics are complex
Building Tips: Establish a mainland supply depot first. Build extensive dock systems for boat access. Consider this location only after securing reliable transportation methods.
10. Lakeside Peninsula (Squidward Lake Shore)
The shoreline areas around the northwestern lake offer excellent compromise locations that provide lake access without the isolation of island living.
Why Build Here:
- Easy lake access for water and fish
- Partial water protection
- Good forest resources nearby
- Central map location
- Flexibility in base design
- Virginia-friendly location
Challenges:
- Partial exposure to attacks
- Seasonal lake freezing affects defense
- Popular cannibal travel route
Building Tips: Build perpendicular to the shoreline to maximize water protection. Create dock systems extending into the lake for summer fishing. Prepare winter defenses before the lake freezes.
Sons Of The Forest: Essential Base Building Tips
Seasonal Considerations
Understanding how seasons affect your base location is crucial for long-term survival. Four complete seasons change the gameplay and visuals in Sons of the Forest. Players will have physical reactions to weather and climate that can be combated by changing clothes.
Spring/Summer:
- Lakes provide excellent defense
- Focus on food storage for winter
- Build water collectors
Fall:
- Reinforce defenses before winter
- Stockpile resources
- Prepare winter clothing
Winter:
- After many players have painstakingly established their bases in the middle of this pond, seasons have already begun to change to winter where many of the ponds across the island have fully frozen over.
- Lake defenses become useless
- Increased cannibal aggression
- Higher resource consumption
Defense Strategies
Water Defense: Cannibals cannot swim, making water your best friend. However, remember that significant amounts of wood and stone will be nearby. Advantages Constant water supply Access to fish for food Scenic and strategic location
Elevation Advantage: Building on cliffs or elevated terrain provides natural defense and better visibility for spotting threats early.
Chokepoint Creation: Narrow entrances force enemies to approach single-file, making them easier to defend against.
Resource Management
Setting a base near a water source is, therefore, very crucial for survival. But water isn’t everything. Consider these factors:
- Wood Availability: Dense forests nearby save transportation time
- Stone Access: Mountain bases provide stone but lack wood
- Food Sources: Coastal areas offer fish, while forests provide game
- Special Resources: Some locations offer unique items like solar panels or respawning loot
Building Techniques
Foundation First: Any type of house or base will require floors as its foundation, so, if you want to build anything, you need to know how to build floors.
Kelvin Management: Kelvin, your helper, is an immense help. Particularly when it comes to chopping down trees, but, he doesn’t know to look out for trees dropping on your building. Always direct Kelvin away from your structures when gathering logs.
Zipline Networks: Essential for efficient resource transportation, especially for mountain or island bases. Use ziplines to move logs for you, and use log collectors to catch them on the other side.
Advanced Building Features
Custom Building System: Sons of the Forest has a partially diegetic custom building system, which allows players to make custom structures without the use of a blueprint menu like the one present in the first game.
Defensive Walls: By aiming at the top of a vertical log with any axe equipped and interacting with the red-dashed cutting prompt that resembles a sharpened point. Defensive walls have the added advantage of preventing enemies from being able to climb over them.
Mixed Materials: You can combine wood and stone for both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.
Choosing Your Perfect Location
Your ideal base location depends on several factors:
- For New Players: Start with the West Beach or Lakeside Peninsula for balanced gameplay and good resource access.
- For Builders: The Golf Course or Northern Beach provide maximum space for creative projects.
- For Survival Purists: Mountain Cave or Central Lake Island offer the best natural defenses.
- For Endgame Players: The Southeastern Peninsula provides the ultimate fortress location with all amenities.
- For Peaceful Builders: The Western Island eliminates combat entirely, letting you focus on construction.
Common Base Building Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Seasonal Changes: Many players build on lakes without preparing for winter freezing
- Poor Resource Planning: Building too far from wood or water sources
- Inadequate Storage: Not building enough storage leads to constant resource management issues
- Neglecting Kelvin: Not utilizing Kelvin for resource gathering wastes valuable time
- Overbuilding Early: Starting too ambitious leads to resource depletion and vulnerability
Advanced Strategies for Multiplayer Bases
These areas are completely flat areas, perfect for building as large and wide as you can put your mind to. When building with friends:
- Assign Roles: Designate builders, gatherers, and defenders
- Zone Planning: Create distinct areas for different functions
- Shared Storage: Centralize resources for efficiency
- Multiple Entrances: Prevent bottlenecks during raids
- Communication Systems: Use landmarks and signs for coordination
Essential Items for Any Base Location
Regardless of where you build, certain items are crucial:
- Rope Gun: Essential for ziplines and advanced access
- Shovel: The shovel is used to remove voxel patches of soil in small segments- though it doesn’t currently provide the ability to fill holes back in.
- Rebreather: Necessary for underwater building and cave exploration
- Winter Jacket: Critical for mountain bases and winter survival
- 3D Printer Access: For advanced tools and sleds
Future-Proofing Your Base
As Sons Of The Forest continues to evolve with updates, consider:
- Expansion Space: Leave room for new content and features
- Modular Design: Build in sections that can be modified
- Multiple Bases: Consider seasonal bases or outposts
- Update Awareness: The exact date and time of the next update to the game is announced on the title screen, usually in a 2-3 weeks cadence.
Quick Decision Guide
- Want Maximum Safety? → Central Lake Island or Mountain Cave
- Need Resources? → West Beach or Lakeside Peninsula
- Love Building Big? → Golf Course or Northern Beach
- Prefer Endgame Content? → Southeastern Peninsula
- Hate Combat? → Western Island
- Want Quick Setup? → Abandoned Houses
- Love Challenges? → Mountain Summit
Final Thoughts
After hundreds of hours exploring every corner of this cannibal-infested island, I can confidently say that the perfect base location doesn’t exist – it’s all about matching your playstyle to the right spot. Whether you’re a peaceful builder creating architectural marvels on the Western Island or a hardcore survivalist defending the Mountain Cave against endless mutant hordes, Sons Of The Forest offers a location that suits your needs.
My personal favorite remains the Southeastern Peninsula for its perfect blend of defense, resources, and building potential. But I encourage you to experiment with different locations across multiple playthroughs. Each spot offers unique challenges and rewards that keep the game fresh and exciting.
Remember, the best base is one that keeps you alive while allowing you to enjoy the game your way. Use this guide as a starting point, but don’t be afraid to discover your own perfect spot. The island is vast, dangerous, and full of surprises – exactly what makes Sons Of The Forest such an incredible survival experience.
Happy building, and may your walls stand strong against the darkness!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest place to build in Sons Of The Forest?
The Mountain Cave and Central Lake Island offer the highest safety ratings. The Mountain Cave provides a single entrance that’s easy to defend, while the lake island is completely surrounded by water that cannibals can’t cross (except in winter when it freezes).
Can cannibals swim in Sons Of The Forest?
No, cannibals cannot swim in Sons Of The Forest. This makes water-surrounded locations like islands and lakeside bases with water barriers extremely effective for defense. However, be aware that lakes freeze in winter, allowing enemies to walk across.
Where is the best location for beginners?
The West Beach or Lakeside Peninsula areas are ideal for beginners. They offer a good balance of safety, resource availability, and access to important early-game items while not being too isolated or difficult to defend.
Do I need the rope gun to build in mountain locations?
Yes, the rope gun is essential for mountain base building. It allows you to create ziplines for transporting logs and provides easier access to steep terrain. Without it, mountain bases become impractical due to transportation challenges.
What happens to lake bases in winter?
Of course, the lake defense does become useless in the winter when it freezes over. When winter arrives, lakes freeze solid, allowing cannibals and mutants to walk across. Players with lake island bases must prepare additional defenses like walls and traps before winter.
Can I build multiple bases?
Absolutely! Many experienced players build seasonal bases or outposts across the map. This strategy allows you to have safe havens in different areas and adapt to changing seasons and game progression.
Which location has the most building space?
The Golf Course in the northeast offers the most flat, open building space on the entire map. It’s perfect for players who want to create massive structures or elaborate multiplayer compounds without terrain restrictions.
Is it better to build near caves?
Building near caves has pros and cons. Caves contain important items and story progression, but they also spawn dangerous enemies. If you build near caves, ensure your base is well-defended and consider the increased enemy traffic.
How do I transport logs to island bases?
Use ziplines with the rope gun for the most efficient log transportation. Build log collectors at the bottom of ziplines to automatically catch transported logs. For island bases, create multiple zipline routes from different mainland areas.
What’s the best base location for multiplayer?
The Golf Course and Southeastern Peninsula are ideal for multiplayer bases due to their massive building space. The Golf Course offers central access, while the Southeastern Peninsula provides better natural defenses for large groups.