Cindersap Forest

Cindersap Forest is a large exterior region in the southwest part of Stardew Valley. It connects north to the Farm, east to Pelican Town, south to the Sewers, and northwest to the Secret Woods. The forest is one of the most important early-game exploration areas, with forage, fishing, special events, and several key buildings spread across the map. It is also the only place where Spring Onions grow.

Several festivals use the forest as their setting. The Flower Dance takes place here on Spring 24, the Trout Derby is held here on Summer 20 and 21, and the Festival of Ice takes place here on Winter 8. At the start of a new game, the area is cluttered with twigs, rocks, and weeds; if the debris is cleared away, it returns each Spring 1.

The map contains a number of notable landmarks and residents. Marnie’s Ranch sits in the northeast corner, where animals and animal-related goods can be purchased. Leah’s Cottage is south of the path to Pelican Town. The Abandoned House lies southwest of the pond and becomes a shop once achievements begin to be earned, with the Hat Mouse selling hats based on unlocked achievements. The Wizard’s Tower is on the western side of the forest and can be entered after starting the “Meet The Wizard” quest. The Big Tree stands north of the forest, between the lake and Marnie’s Ranch, and can later transform into the Giant Stump. The Secret Woods entrance is in the northwest corner, blocked by a Large Log until the Axe is upgraded to steel or better. The Traveling Cart appears along the northern edge every Friday and Sunday from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. The Mastery Cave is north of the Sewer entrance.

Cindersap Forest has one of the most varied fishing setups in the game because its water bodies have different fish pools. The main river through the forest is an extension of Pelican Town’s river and shares most of the same river fish, but it also contains Chub and Dorado, while Smallmouth Bass is found there only in the forest pond. In winter, the river is home to the Glacierfish and Glacierfish Jr. The large pond in the northwest corner has a more limited selection, including Carp, Catfish, Midnight Carp, Perch, Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye depending on the season. The waterfalls near the Abandoned House have the river fish plus Goby in any season and Salmon in fall at any time, making this the only place where Salmon can be caught after 7:00 pm.

The forest is also a strong foraging area. Standard forageable items spawn on the ground here each season, and the forest contains many trees that can be chopped for Wood and other drops. Because the trees are pre-existing world objects, they regrow automatically as long as their stumps are removed. Spring Onions spawn only on tillable soil on the large southeastern island during spring, and any existing onions disappear overnight before new ones appear. Foraged items spawn more frequently in spring and fall than in summer and winter.

Artifact Spots also appear in Cindersap Forest, with a low average spawn rate in most seasons and a much higher one in winter. Digging them up can yield a variety of items, including seasonal and special finds, and once all Lost Books have been found, any potential Lost Book spot is replaced by something else. An unusual secret in the forest involves fishing from the southernmost point near the Sewer entrance toward the ocean with Fishing level 15 or higher; this can yield an Iridium Krobus statue, though that level is only possible temporarily through buffs.

Trash Bear appears at the bottom of Cindersap Forest near the Spring Onion patch and the Sewer entrance starting in year 3, but only on non-rainy, non-festival days. Speaking to it reveals a requested item, and after four fulfilled requests it cleans up the inaccessible trashy area near the water, replacing it with bushes and trees. It also removes the trash in Pam’s front yard in Pelican Town and upgrades Dusty’s dog pen.