Finding this is straightforward once you know where to look; the hard part is that the game never points you there.

Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago.

The short answer

It is where most people never think to check, and the route below gets you there without fighting anything unnecessary.

Where to look

If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. Randomised placement means the exact spot can differ, but the area does not.

The community figured most of this out through repetition, and the pattern has held up well. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. It helps to know why a step exists, because then you can adapt it when your situation differs slightly.

What to bring

If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. One clean run beats five rushed ones, both for results and for your patience. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem.

  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
  • Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Restart fully after a change rather than trusting a quick reload.
  • Clear inventory space before you arrive, not after.

Getting there safely

If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. Small details matter more than they should here, so read the order of steps carefully. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.

If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
  • Copying someone else's setup without checking that it fits your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Is the location randomised?

The general area is fixed in most versions; the exact placement within it can shift between saves.

Can I get it early?

Usually yes, with enough patience. Whether that is worth doing depends on how much the item actually helps at that stage.

Does this still work after the latest update?

It did at the time of writing. If a step no longer matches, the underlying idea normally still applies even when a menu has moved.

How to Find Hardwood in Stardew Valley is not complicated once the order of operations is clear, and now it is.