Hello, I am Ducky and I’m currently focused on bringing you guides about various details of The Long Dark. What makes a base the best in this game? It’s complicated. So, pour yourself a nice cup of tea, and let’s dive into ten interesting base choices across Great Bear Island.

10. Mystery Lake – Forest Lookout

Is this the best base? Not really. Climbing the stairs here will wear out your real-life patience, but the safety and view from the top are fantastic. It’s also fairly central, making travel efficient to and from most zones.

• Beauty: 7/10
• Survivability: Stair Climbing Simulator/10

9. Mountain Town – Paradise Meadows Farm

Spacious with a top-tier six-burner stove. Ensure you find the key (usually in the barn or tractor). Limited fishing options and aggressive wolves nearby are drawbacks. Connections to Hushed River Valley and Mystery Lake involve rope climbs.

• Beauty: Front Porch/10
• Survivability: Plan Ahead & Bring Ammo

8. Timberwolf Mountain – Mountaineer’s Hut

A small cozy space with a roof window. With the Far Territory DLC, you can patch the hole. Limited storage but proximity to wildlife, fishing, and epic loot at the summit make it worth it.

• Beauty: Window View/10
• Survivability: Loot Crates

7. Mystery Lake – Trapper’s Cabin

Another small and cozy location, especially suited for hunters. Previously, all kinds of wildlife would pass by your front door. Whether that’s still true post-wildlife refresh is uncertain. Still, it’s well-suited for self-sufficient survival.

• Beauty: Me/10
• Survivability: Hunting/10

6. Transfer Pass – Vacant Depot

One of the few single-story interiors without a loading screen. Strategically perfect for access to DLC zones. Long-term survival? Not ideal. But for staging and resupplying, it’s excellent.

• Beauty: Tiny House/10
• Survivability: Short-Term Only/10

5. Mystery Lake – Camp Office

A classic and often-visited base. Centrally located for great travel times to other zones, especially useful early and mid-game. Fishing, storage space, and access to Mystery Lake’s broad resources make it reliable.

• Beauty: Office/10
• Survivability: Perfectly Average and Optimal/10

4. Desolation Point – Lighthouse

Stunning views, lots of stairs, and regular wolf encounters. Easy forge access and nearby backup storage at the Riken or Hibernia. However, Desolation Point is small and isolated.

• Beauty: Tower/10
• Survivability: Wolf Attacks on My Front Door/10

3. Coastal Highway – Quonset Garage

Arguably the strongest base in the game right now. Located centrally with access to fishing, hunting, forge (in Desolation Point), and coal (in the mines). Plus, the trader and beachcombing mechanics make this area exceptionally strong.

• Beauty: Garage/10
• Survivability: Probably Top Tier/10

2. Forsaken Airfield – Mindful Cabin

Visually stunning and one of the most unique bases. While the environment is harsh—low temps, fog, long travel times—it is possible to survive here. It feels remote and rewarding.

• Beauty: Best/10
• Survivability: Forsaken/10

1. Pleasant Valley – Farmhouse

Perhaps the most centrally located base, with spacious rooms, workbench, car, six-burner stove, and solid access to multiple zones including Timberwolf Mountain, Carter Dam, Blackrock, and Coastal Highway. Frequent blizzards and bears are the only real downside.

• Beauty: Yes/10
• Survivability: Flexible and Connected/10

Final Thoughts

Each base offers unique pros and cons. This list includes both practical and personal favorites—even some you might not see in other lists. Your preferred base will depend on your goals, route, and survival strategy. Happy looting, and more guides are on the way. One like = one cup of tea.

Thanks for watching!