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Red Dead Redemption 2 UFO sightings guide: How to find the alien ship

Your eyes are not deceiving you! There are UFOs to be spotted across the wild west in RDR2.

Why bother storming Area 51 when the aliens are right here in Red Dead Redemption 2? Just like the Mount Chiliad mystery in GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2 has a sci-fi mystery of its own for you to uncover.

That's right, as UFO sightings ramped up in the late 1800s, you very own Arthur Morgan could bear witness to one himself if you're lucky. This is how you encounter the Red Dead Redemption 2 UFO sightings and unlock an encounter close enough for an X-Files episode.


Red Dead Redemption 2 UFO sightings guide

For the first step when it comes to UFO spotting in Red Dead Redemption 2, open up your map and look for Emerald Ranch. Just above the Ranch, to the East of Heartland Overflow and between the 'N' and 'O' of New Hanover on the map, zoom in. You should be able to see a little shack by a pond.

A waypoint on the map marks a small shack in New Hanover where players can spot a UFO in Red Dead Redemption 2
Here's the small shack you need to pay a visit to. | Image credit: VG247/Rockstar Games

Pop a waypoint marker down and make your way there. If you fast travel to Emerald Ranch, it's just a short journey on horseback.

Inside the shack here, you will find a bunch of dead cultists, some shrines, and a sense of foreboding. On the table at the end, near the fireplace, there's a mysterious note. Pick it up.

The note says:

"AT THE SECOND HOUR UNDER THE HALF MOON, BY THE GREAT LOVE AND GRACE OF OUR SAVIOR, KUHKOWABA, VOYAGER OF TIME AND GALAXIES. WE CAST OFF OUR MORTAL SHELLS SO HIS VESSEL CAN TAKE OUR SPIRITS TO THE PROMISED REALM, TO LIVE IN PEACE AND POWER UNTIL THE TWO THOUSANDTH YEAR, WHEN WE WILL RETURN FOR A NEW CHOSEN AND WORSHIP ONCE AGAIN AT THE PEAK OF MOUNT SHANN. IN HIS LOVE, WE REJOICE ALWAYS."

A note found in a small shack in New Hanover, in which cultists talk of UFOs in Red Dead Redemption 2
Image credit: VG247/Rockstar Games

Now, there's two things you can do here. You can either wait until nightfall and revisit the shack, or pay a visit to Mount Shann at nightfall instead. We recommend resting somewhere nearby the shack until nightfall, and then entering the shack again.

If you've done it right, the shack should erupt in a green glow as you enter. If you run outside, you can catch a glimpse of Red Dead Redemption 2's UFO before it zooms off.

Now, if you fancy a second UFO sighting, you need to head to Mount Shann during nighttime. Given the letter from the shack reads 'SECOND HOUR UNDER THE HALF MOON', we know that the UFO should appear not long after midnight whenever there is a half-moon.

Open up your map and zoom in to the North West of Strawberry. Mount Shann is located under the big 'S' of West Elizabeth, marked on the below map.

A waypoint marks Mount Shann on the Red Dead Redemption 2 map
Here's where you'll find Mount Shann. | Image credit: VG247/Rockstar Games

Ride to the top of the mountain and at the peak, you'll find a sundial surrounded by rocks. One of the rocks will have a small yellow arrow pointing north. Now, if it is the right time of night and there is a half-moon, you should be able to spot the UFO in the distance in the nightsky.

Failing that, rest and try another night. We weren't able to see the UFO during our first attempt of this, but after leaving the mountain, resting, and returning, we were able to catch a glimpse of the alien spaceship.


There are tons more easter eggs hidden in Red Dead Redemption 2 - including a vampire, robot, and werewolf.

If you need more help with Red Dead Redemption 2 - and we wouldn't blame you, it's massive - check out more of our detailed Red Dead Redemption 2 walkthrough. It's got everything from treasure hunt locations and side quest guides to cheats and fast travel tips.

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Red Dead Redemption 2

PS4, Xbox One, PC

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About the Author
Kirk McKeand avatar

Kirk McKeand

Former Deputy Editor

Kirk is an award-winning writer from the UK's Lincoln, and has written for the likes of IGN, Vice, Eurogamer, Edge, Playboy, and several other magazines, newspapers, and websites. For several years, Kirk also acted as the editor of VG247.

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