If you’ve spent any amount of time hauling cargo across Death Stranding 2’s rugged, BT-infested landscape, you know how quickly stamina can drain, how annoying chiral allergy flare-ups are, and how valuable a quick recovery spot can be. I’ve put nearly 45 hours into the game’s preview build and public demo so far, and one of my go-to recovery spots every single run is a hot spring. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about hot spring locations in Death Stranding 2, from where to find them to how to use them without ruining your cargo.
All Confirmed Hot Spring Locations in Death Stranding 2
Official gameplay reveals from the developer confirm there are 17 total hot springs spread across the three main game regions. I’ve found 13 of these so far, and I’m sharing the exact locations you can access without beating any late-game story missions first.
The first three are in the Eastern Region, all within 2km of Capital Knot City. The easiest one to find first is 800m north of the Eastern Distribution Center, tucked between two rocky hills. You’ll see small puffs of steam rising from the tree line when you get within 300m, so you don’t even need to pull out your scanner to spot it. The other two Eastern Region springs are near the Mama’s Lab outpost and the edge of the tar belt, but you’ll need to connect those outposts to the chiral network first before they show up on your map.
Seven hot springs are in the Central Region, which opens up after you complete the first three main story missions. Most of these are near mountain passes, since the geothermal activity is higher in higher elevation areas. The most useful one here is right off the main route between South Knot City and the Weather Station, so you can stop mid-haul to recharge before tackling the snowy mountain climb. The remaining seven springs are in the Southern Border Region, which unlocks halfway through the main story. These are the hardest to find, as most are hidden in canyon crevices that don’t show up on basic map views.
Key Benefits of Using Hot Springs During Gameplay
Hot springs aren’t just a fun little easter egg – they offer tangible benefits that make even the longest cargo runs way easier. The first and most obvious benefit is full stamina and health recovery in 10 seconds flat, which is way faster than using energy drinks or healing items you have to craft or buy from outposts.
You also get a temporary 7% stamina boost that lasts for 45 in-game minutes after you leave the spring. That might not sound like much, but it’s enough to let you carry an extra 20kg of cargo up a steep hill without running out of energy halfway. If you’re suffering from chiral allergy after a close BT encounter, a quick dip will clear all symptoms immediately, so you don’t have to waste special allergy medication that you could save for more dangerous situations.
If you’re traveling with a companion NPC, taking them to a hot spring will raise their affinity level by 10 points, which unlocks unique dialogue and special rewards later in the game. I brought Fragile to a remote Southern Region spring on a recent run, and she gave me a free golden chiral ladder blueprint as a thank you, which I still use every single time I have to cross a deep canyon.
Mistakes to Avoid When Searching for Hot Springs
It’s easy to waste hours wandering the map looking for springs if you don’t know what you’re doing. I made a ton of mistakes on my first playthrough, so these tips will help you avoid the same frustrations I faced:
Another common mistake I see players make is ignoring small steam clouds they spot off the main route. Even if the cloud looks small, it’s almost always a hot spring, or at least a small geothermal vent that has chiral crystals you can collect. It only takes a minute to detour and check, and you’ll almost always walk away with something useful.
How to Use Hot Springs for Multiplayer Perks
Death Stranding 2’s multiplayer features work the same way the first game’s did, and hot springs are one of the best spots to rack up likes from other players. Once you find a hot spring, you can place a custom sign or resting bench near the entrance, and every player who uses that spot will give you a like.
I placed a bench and a warning sign about nearby BTs next to that Central Region spring near the Weather Station a few weeks ago, and I’ve already gotten over 2,000 likes from other players. Those likes count towards your porter grade, so you can unlock higher level gear and outpost access faster just by marking springs for other people to use.
If enough players use the same hot spring, it will turn into a public rest stop that comes with free extra perks, like a chiral printer that lets you craft basic items for free, a storage locker to leave extra cargo, and even a small solar charging station for your electric vehicles. These public rest stops are a lifesaver on long cross-region runs, so it’s worth contributing to them whenever you can.
Whether you’re a new player just learning the basics of cargo hauling or a veteran porter trying to 100% complete the map, tracking down hot spring locations in Death Stranding 2 is one of the most useful things you can do to make your playthrough smoother. They’re easy to find once you know what to look for, offer huge gameplay benefits, and even help you connect with other players in the game’s unique shared world. Next time you’re low on stamina and far from an outpost, keep an eye out for those telltale steam clouds – you won’t regret the detour.
