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| Best Way to Make Money in RDR2 |
Discover the best way to make money RDR2 in 2026. Learn fast, proven methods like treasure hunts, hunting, gold bars, and missions to earn cash quickly.
Making money in Red Dead Redemption 2 can feel slow and frustrating if you don’t know what actually works. Weapons are expensive, horses cost a fortune, and upgrades drain your wallet quickly. If you’re searching for the best way to make money RDR2, this guide breaks down the most reliable, efficient, and proven methods—both early-game and late-game—to help you build serious cash without wasting time.
This article is fully updated for 2026 gameplay, focusing on what still works, what was patched, and what delivers the highest returns for single-player story mode.
Understanding Money Mechanics in RDR2
Before diving into methods, it’s important to understand how money works in RDR2. Cash comes from missions, looting, trading, hunting, robberies, and hidden valuables. However, not all activities are equal in terms of time-to-profit ratio.
The smartest players focus on repeatable, low-risk, high-reward activities that scale well as the story progresses.
Best Way to Make Money RDR2 (Quick Overview)
If you’re short on time, these are the top money-makers ranked by efficiency:
- Treasure hunts
- Story missions (select chapters)
- Hunting legendary animals
- Robbing trains strategically
- Looting gang hideouts
- Selling gold bars and valuables
Below, we break each method down in detail.
Treasure Hunts: The Fastest Legal Money Method
Treasure hunting is widely considered the best way to make money RDR2 early and mid-game. It’s low-risk, repeatable across different treasure chains, and extremely profitable.
Why Treasure Hunts Are So Powerful
- Each treasure hunt can reward 2–4 gold bars
- One gold bar sells for $500
- No combat skill required
- Can be completed early in the game
Top Treasure Hunts to Complete
- Jack Hall Gang Treasure
- High Stakes Treasure
- Poisonous Trail Treasure
Each of these can be started by finding treasure maps in the open world or looting NPCs.
You can sell gold bars at any fence, such as the one in Rhodes or Saint Denis, which are officially explained in Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2 guide.
Story Missions That Pay the Most
Not all missions are equal. Some story missions offer significantly higher payouts, especially in later chapters.
High-Paying Story Chapters
- Chapter 3: Increased robbery opportunities
- Chapter 4: Saint Denis missions
- Chapter 6: Large cash rewards before the epilogue
Avoid rushing through the story too quickly. Take time to loot enemies after missions, as dead NPCs often carry valuables, jewelry, and cash.
Hunting Legendary Animals for Big Profits
Hunting is more than survival—it’s a serious income source when done correctly.
Why Legendary Animals Matter
- Legendary pelts cannot be ruined
- Pelts sell for high prices
- Unlock valuable crafting items
Once you unlock legendary animal maps, focus on animals near fast travel points to reduce time spent riding.
Selling pelts to trappers is one of the most reliable long-term income methods, especially when combined with regular hunting.
Regular Hunting and Perfect Pelts
Even non-legendary hunting is profitable if done smartly.
Best Animals to Hunt for Money
- Deer and buck (perfect pelts)
- Cougars
- Panthers
- Bears (high risk, high reward)
Use the correct weapon and aim for clean kills to maintain pelt quality. Perfect pelts sell for significantly more and are required for crafting upgrades that save money later.
Robbing Trains the Smart Way
Train robberies can be extremely profitable—but only if done correctly.
Best Strategy for Train Robberies
- Board the train early
- Rob passengers before guards engage
- Escape quickly to avoid bounty buildup
Robbing trains in tunnels or remote areas increases success and reduces law response. This method requires planning but can yield large cash hauls and valuables.
Gang Hideouts and Enemy Camps
Clearing gang hideouts is one of the safest combat-based money methods.
Benefits of Gang Hideouts
- Large enemy groups = lots of loot
- Minimal law attention
- Often include valuables and cash stashes
Always loot every body after clearing a hideout. Rings, belt buckles, watches, and coins add up quickly when sold at a fence.
Loot Everything (Seriously)
Many players underestimate looting.
Items Worth Selling
- Jewelry
- Gold teeth
- Pocket watches
- Belt buckles
- Tonics you don’t use
Selling these regularly keeps your inventory clean and your cash flowing. Fences are essential—unlock them early if you haven’t already.
Gold Bars: The Real Money Makers
Gold bars are the single most valuable sellable item in RDR2.
Where to Find Gold Bars
- Treasure hunts
- Burned towns
- Locked cabins
- Train wrecks
Each gold bar sells for $500, and some locations respawn after time passes, making them semi-repeatable.
Fishing for Profit (Underrated Method)
Fishing isn’t just relaxing—it’s profitable.
Best Fish to Sell
- Salmon
- Trout
- Muskie
Fishing near rivers and lakes close to butchers saves time and maximizes profit. This method is especially useful early-game when weapons and skills are limited.
Avoid Common Money Mistakes
To maximize earnings, avoid these common errors:
- Paying bounties too often instead of avoiding law
- Buying unnecessary weapons early
- Ignoring crafting and upgrades
- Selling valuable items too early
Smart money management is just as important as earning cash.
Best Way to Make Money RDR2 for Beginners
If you’re just starting out, focus on:
- Treasure hunts
- Story missions
- Hunting deer and selling pelts
These methods require minimal risk and give consistent returns.
Best Way to Make Money RDR2 Late Game
For experienced players:
- Gold bar farming
- Legendary animal hunting
- Strategic train robberies
At this stage, efficiency matters more than safety.
Use Fast Travel to Increase Efficiency
Unlock fast travel upgrades at camp early. Reducing travel time dramatically increases money per hour, especially when farming treasure or hunting.
Recommended Tools and Resources
Rockstar Games’ official support pages and community guides remain the most accurate sources for mechanics and updates. Their Red Dead Redemption 2 support hub explains fences, valuables, and selling mechanics in detail.
For deeper gameplay mechanics, reputable gaming outlets like IGN and GameSpot provide updated breakdowns of RDR2 systems and strategies.
Start With Treasure Hunts Today
If you want fast cash without stress, start with treasure hunts today. One short session can earn more money than hours of random missions.
Conclusion: What Is the Best Way to Make Money RDR2?
There is no single shortcut, but the best way to make money RDR2 is a smart combination of treasure hunts, hunting, high-paying missions, and selling valuables wisely. Players who plan their activities, loot everything, and avoid unnecessary expenses will always stay rich in the Wild West.
If you’re serious about building wealth in Red Dead Redemption 2, focus on efficiency, not chaos—and your wallet will thank you.
