If you enjoy exploring every corner of **Alan Wake 2**, Cult Stashes are one of the most satisfying side activities in the entire game. They are hidden lockboxes scattered across the world that reward careful observation, puzzle solving, and a bit of detective work. Inside these containers you usually find ammunition, healing items, crafting materials, and sometimes extremely valuable rewards like weapons or inventory upgrades. There are **22 Cult Stashes in total**, spread across three main regions of the game world. ([GameSpot][1]) Each one requires solving a small puzzle. Some involve following arrows that only appear under flashlight light. Others require finding a hidden key, interpreting cult symbols, or solving numeric codes. If you're playing seriously and aiming for full completion, you’ll want to open every single one. --- # How Cult Stashes Work Before diving into locations, it helps to understand the pattern the game uses. Cult Stashes normally follow one of these puzzle styles: **Symbol puzzles** You find triangle symbols painted nearby and must reproduce the correct sequence. **Hidden key puzzles** A note on the box hints where the key is hidden somewhere in the environment. **Flashlight clue puzzles** Symbols and arrows only appear when illuminated with Saga’s flashlight. **Math or logic puzzles** Occasionally the game throws in equations or counting problems to produce a code. The game allows you to return later if a stash requires tools you don’t have yet. Nothing is permanently missable before the point of no return. --- # Cauldron Lake Cult Stashes ## Streamside Camp Stash    This is one of the earliest stashes players usually encounter while exploring the forest around the investigation site. **Location** Near a campsite close to the murder investigation area in Cauldron Lake. **Puzzle** The stash note shows three activities: Wash hands Take chicken from fridge Take a nap Inside the nearby trailer you’ll find triangle symbols hidden near each location. Bathroom sink Fridge Bed mattress Enter the symbols in the order of the clues and the stash opens. ([Destructoid][2]) **Reward** Typical early game supplies and crafting materials. --- ## Crow’s Foot Hills Stash    **Location** Western campsite area near Crow’s Foot Hills. **Puzzle** A crude drawing of a lightbulb is the only hint on the container. Shine your flashlight around the environment and you’ll notice painted arrows on rocks and trees. Follow them through the woods. Eventually they lead to a hidden **Streamside Stash Key**. Use that key to unlock the container. ([Destructoid][2]) --- ## Cauldron Lake Beach Stash     **Location** On the shoreline after the flood water recedes later in the story. **Puzzle** This container features a light pattern puzzle. The buttons flash in a sequence. Repeat the exact order to unlock it. These puzzles become more common later in the game. --- ## Rental Cabins Stash    **Location** Inside the Rental Cabins area once you obtain the bolt cutters. **Puzzle** The note shows a strange route marked with symbols such as: window tornado castle bridge cave tower corpse tree You must explore the cabins following the clues and interact with specific landmarks in the correct order. Eventually you locate the hidden key that opens the stash. ([Destructoid][2]) This is one of the more complex puzzle trails in Cauldron Lake. --- # Watery Cult Stashes ## Coffee World Crossbow Stash    **Location** Near the Ferris wheel ride inside **Coffee World**. **Puzzle** Look at the nearby wooden beams. You’ll notice crossbow bolts stuck into them alongside numbers. The numbers create the code while the bolt order shows the sequence. **Solution** 527 **Reward** The **Crossbow weapon**, one of Saga’s most useful stealth tools. ([GameSpot][1]) --- ## Striped Cups Stash     **Location** Close to the rides inside Coffee World. **Puzzle** The clue says only striped cups. Look at the ride cars that have striped patterns and note their numbers. **Solution** 147. ([GameSpot][1]) --- ## Smiling Mascot Stash     **Location** Near Huotari Well in Coffee World. **Puzzle** The clue asks: What hides behind the smile Look behind the smiling coffee mascot statue. You’ll find a hidden key on the ground. Use it to open the stash. ([GameSpot][1]) --- ## Lighthouse Symbol Stash    **Location** On a rocky cliff near the Watery lighthouse. **Puzzle** Use your flashlight around the area. You’ll notice Roman numerals next to cult symbols. Each numeral corresponds to the correct symbol order. Enter them correctly to unlock the stash. ([GameSpot][1]) --- # Bright Falls Cult Stashes Bright Falls contains the highest concentration of stashes in the game. ## Elderwood Lodge Stash     **Location** Behind a delivery truck near **Elderwood Palace Lodge**. **Puzzle** A simple Simon Says keypad. The buttons flash in sequence. Repeat the pattern correctly to unlock the container. ([Digital Trends][3]) --- ## Bunker Woods Loop Stash    **Location** Northwest of Bunker Woods along a looping forest road. **Puzzle** Another pattern memory puzzle using the keypad. Repeat the flashing sequence to unlock it. --- ## Factory Wheels Math Stash    **Location** Bright Falls industrial area. **Puzzle** The note reads: There are 200 vehicles made of bikes and cars with 754 wheels. Solve the equation to determine how many cars there are. **Solution** 177. ([Destructoid][2]) --- # Why Cult Stashes Matter For experienced players these containers are more than just collectibles. Opening them provides: extra ammo reserves rare crafting resources weapon unlocks inventory upgrades They also contribute to one of the major collectible achievements in the game. Completing every stash hunt is one of the best ways to experience the environmental storytelling that **Remedy Entertainment** is known for. [1]: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/alan-wake-2-cult-stash-locations-guide/1100-6518639/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Alan Wake 2 Cult Stash - All Locations And Puzzle Solutions - GameSpot" [2]: https://www.destructoid.com/all-cult-stash-locations-and-solutions-in-alan-wake-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "All Cult Stash locations and solutions in Alan Wake 2" [3]: https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/alan-wake-2-all-stash-locations/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "All stash locations in Alan Wake 2 and how to open them - Digital Trends"