How to get to the desert in Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley has just celebrated its eighth anniversary, but the iconic farming sim is going as strong as ever. Its creator, ConcernedApe, will release a massive patch on March 19. As reported by outlets like IGN, this 1.6 update will shower long-time players with substantial late-game content, adding new crafting recipes, exclusive lines of NPC dialogues, a brand-new farm type, and much more. Teasing many more secrets and hidden features, ConcernedApe urged players to start a new playthrough to discover this treasure trove of content organically. 

Just as many newcomers to the valley might play this cosy title for the first time, whether in single-player or co-op modes. According to the game’s official web page, this indie hit went from 20 million to 30 million global sales in the past two years. Players can spend well over 160 hours in and around Pelican Town. But their journey wouldn’t be quite complete without a trip to the nearby desert. So, how exactly can players access this sun-soaked region west of the valley? Let’s find out.

Unlocking the Calico Desert: two different approaches

Located in the northwestern corner of the map, the Bus Stop connects the farmer’s homestead with Pelican Town’s main area. The bus is broken down initially, but you can get it fixed by following one of two quests available from the get-go. 

After Mayor Lewis has taken you to the abandoned Community Centre, you may get it repaired by donating a total of 42,500 gold to the Junimos. The Vault Bundle becomes accessible once you’ve effectively completed four bundles. 

If you do not wish to restore the Community Centre, you might acquire a Joja membership to pay for community upgrades, which include the Bus Repair. Regardless of the path you choose, Pam will reprise her function as a bus driver. You can purchase a round-trip ticket to the Calico Desert for 500g when she clocks into work at 10:10 AM sharp each day. Bus to the desert runs until 5 PM. 

What is there to do in the desert?

From new locations to explore to new NPCs to interact with, the Calico Desert is full of discoveries. Coconuts and cactus fruits are exotic items you can forage year-round and gift to Haley and Sam, respectively. Similarly, some artifacts and lost books are exclusive to this barren environment. 

Provided you have your fiberglass rod and fishing food ready, you can throw bait in the local pond to catch unique fish, specifically the scorpion carp and the sandfish, which is required to complete the Fish Tank. 

Further south, you might visit the Oasis store to buy seeds unavailable at either Pierre’s Store or JojaMart. Starfruit crops are particularly profitable once put in a keg. Make sure you carry sweet peas, crocus, or daffodils whenever you visit Sandy, the flower-loving villager running the store.  

What is there to unlock in the desert? 

The Calico Desert is home to many secrets you can gradually unveil. For instance, the Skull Key will give access to the Skull Cavern after you’ve reached the bottom of the mines. You’d better not go unprepared into this monster’s den, though. If you follow our advice on Techstory and stumble upon a Prismatic Shard during your journey, be sure to enter the area marked by three pillars on the northeastern corner of the desert. 

Another challenge awaits within the Oasis, requiring you to go through various tasks to grab a Club Card. The store’s backroom hides a casino where you can make a fortune playing a variant of blackjack and slot machines. As exciting as it is to get past the bouncer guarding the door, these gambling minigames are slightly repetitive. 

If left unsatisfied by the game’s offerings, seasoned players might switch to online platforms. Specialised websites like CasinoReviews help them find reliable casinos in one click. Industry experts go above and beyond to publish unbiased reviews analysing the overall user experience. They also keep track of ongoing promotions and bonuses for both newcomers and high-rollers to grab. All platforms endorsed possess valid licences and are committed to fair and safe gambling.   

Vanilla Stardew Valley comes with never-ending content, including secret locations that require some heavy lifting to access. And if you’ve already explored the valley inside and out, modding your game can give you a fresh perspective. Use mods at your own risk, however, as these add-ons might not all be compatible with official updates and bug-fix patches.