ARK 2 World Map & Biomes
Last updated: May 2026 · 7 min read
World Overview
ARK 2 takes place on a single massive alien planet (no separate maps at launch). The world is approximately 150 km² — roughly 3x the size of ARK 1's The Island — and features 7 major biomes connected seamlessly via UE5's World Partition streaming.
Biome Breakdown
1. Coastal Lowlands (Starter Zone)
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Common Creatures | Dodos, Lystrosaurus, Dilophosaurus, Carbonemys, Parasaur |
| Dangerous Creatures | Raptors (patrol beaches at dawn/dusk), Pteranodon (steals small tames) |
| Resources | Wood, Stone, Fiber, Flint, Thatch, Berries — all basic resources abundant |
| Base Rating | Poor for PvP (too exposed), good for PvE starter bases |
The Coastal Lowlands are where most players spawn. Sandy beaches transition into rolling grasslands dotted with boulders and scattered trees. Safe during the day, but raptors patrol in packs at dawn and dusk. Build inland as soon as you can make a bed.
2. Redwood Forest
| Difficulty | Medium-Hard |
|---|---|
| Common Creatures | Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Pteranodon, Dire Bear, Megaloceros |
| Dangerous Creatures | Allosaurus (packs), Thylacoleo (tree ambush), Troodon (night) |
| Resources | Rich wood, Rare Mushrooms, Rare Flowers, Hide, Chitin, Sap |
| Base Rating | Excellent — natural cover, elevated tree platforms possible |
The Redwood Forest is ARK 2's signature biome. Massive sequoia-like trees create a dense canopy with dappled lighting (Lumen GI at its best). Tree platforms return from ARK 1, allowing elevated bases safe from ground predators. Watch for Thylacoleo — they cling to tree trunks and pounce from above.
3. Volcanic Highlands
| Difficulty | Hard |
|---|---|
| Common Creatures | Ankylosaurus, Doedicurus, Argentavis, Sabertooth, Araneo |
| Dangerous Creatures | Giganotosaurus (rare), Wyvern (lava trench), Magmasaur, Fire Elemental |
| Resources | Metal, Obsidian, Crystal, Sulfur, Rare Metal |
| Base Rating | Excellent for resource farming outposts, risky for main base |
The Volcanic Highlands are rich in high-tier resources — metal nodes, obsidian deposits, crystal formations — but extremely dangerous. Wyverns patrol the central lava trench, and Giganotosaurus spawns are concentrated in the highland plains. Build a fortified mining outpost here, but keep your main base elsewhere.
4. Swamplands
| Difficulty | Medium |
|---|---|
| Common Creatures | Sarcosuchus, Titanoboa, Beelzebufo, Meganeura, Kaprosuchus, Dimetrodon |
| Dangerous Creatures | Spinosaurus, Baryonyx (water ambush), Leech swarms |
| Resources | Cementing Paste (Beelzebufo farming), Rare Mushrooms, Plant Species X seeds, Leech Blood, Organic Polymer |
| Base Rating | Poor for main base, excellent for Paste farming runs |
The Swamplands are hazardous but essential for mid-game: Beelzebufo cementing paste farming is unmatched, and Plant Species X seeds for turrets only grow here. Build a small outpost on the swamp edge, not in the deep marsh. Bring antidotes — poison debuffs stack fast.
5. Snow Tundra
| Difficulty | Hard-Very Hard |
|---|---|
| Common Creatures | Woolly Mammoth, Direwolf, Megaloceros, Argentavis, Kairuku |
| Dangerous Creatures | Yutyrannus (fear roar buffs nearby carnivores), Snow Owl, Ice Wyvern, Yeti |
| Resources | Organic Polymer (Kairuku), Pelt, Oil, Silica Pearls, Rare Ice |
| Base Rating | Viable for experienced tribes (low traffic, high resource density) |
The Snow Tundra has the best organic polymer farming in the game (Kairuku colonies) and rich oil deposits. The cold requires fur armor and heat sources in your base. Yutyrannus fear roars can panic-gather nearby carnivores toward your position, making exploration extremely dangerous solo.
6. Desert Canyons
| Difficulty | Medium-Hard |
|---|---|
| Common Creatures | Morellatops, Thorny Dragon, Vulture, Jerboa, Mantis, Deathworm |
| Dangerous Creatures | Deathworm (burrowing ambush), Rock Elemental, Lightning Wyvern |
| Resources | Sand, Crystal, Oil, Sulfur, Silica Pearls, Rare Ingots |
| Base Rating | Good for hidden canyon bases — natural walls provide defense |
The Desert Canyons feature towering sandstone formations with narrow passages that serve as natural choke points. Hidden bases built into canyon walls are extremely hard to raid. Deathworms burrow and ambush — stick to rocky ground and listen for rumbling.
7. Underground Cavern Network
| Difficulty | Very Hard |
|---|---|
| Common Creatures | Megalosaurus, Araneo, Arthropluera, Onyc, Pulmonoscorpius, Anglerfish (underwater caves) |
| Dangerous Creatures | Reaper Queen (deep caverns), Nameless (light-averse), Rock Drake (crystal caves) |
| Resources | Crystal, Obsidian, Rare Metal, Element Shards, Artifacts |
| Base Rating | Ultimate PvP defense — hardest to raid, hardest to build |
The Underground Cavern Network connects all biomes via a vast tunnel system. Artifacts for boss summoning are found in specific cave chambers. Reaper Queens spawn in the deepest caverns — bring charge light pets. Cave bases are nearly impregnable but require significant infrastructure (generators, vertical transport, air systems).
Fast Travel Network
Fast travel works via Tek Transmitters (late game) and Supply Drop terminals (mid game). Unlike ARK 1, you can fast travel with items in ARK 2 if you use a Tek Transmitter — Supply Drops still require an empty inventory. Beds and sleeping bags allow respawn-only teleportation (no items).