Our quest guide to Arc Raiders Celeste’s Journals shows you exact locations, smart loadouts, a safe route, and all rewards.
In this Arc Raiders quest, Celeste asks you to recover two of her missing journals scattered across dangerous areas. You’ll need to visit two different outposts in the Dam Battlegrounds: one deep in the swamp, and another overlooking the Red Lakes. The mission itself is straightforward, but it requires caution — and a safe extraction.
In this guide you’ll learn:
- Where to find the first journal in the South Swamp Outpost
- How to locate the second journal in the Northern Outpost
- What rewards you get after turning them in
- What to watch out for during extraction
- How to avoid common quest bugs
Requirements and Preparation
You receive the “Celeste’s Journals” quest from Celeste, the trader and de facto leader of Speranza. The mission takes place entirely in the Dam Battlegrounds and must be completed in a single raid — otherwise, you’ll have to start over.
Recommended gear:
- An augment with Safe Pocket (ideally the blue looter augment with two Safe Pockets)
- Plenty of ammo and a reliable weapon
- Adrenaline injectors for long-distance runs
The Safe Pockets are crucial: if you’re taken out without placing the journals inside them, they’ll be lost — and you’ll need to collect both again.
Strategic Tips
“Celeste’s Journals” is one of Arc Raiders’ less combat-heavy missions, but it still demands good planning. The biggest challenge is the distance between the two journal locations and the 30-minute raid timer.
Recommended order
Pick up the journal closest to your spawn first. This minimizes travel time and gives you more control over your path. Mark the second location on your map and plan your route along safer terrain.
If you’re unsure, you can technically stretch the quest across two raids — but only if you place both journals in Safe Pockets. This keeps them after a failed raid. However, the method is inefficient and increases the risk of triggering bugs.
Finding Celeste’s Journal in the South Swamp Outpost
The first location is in the southwestern part of the Dam Battlegrounds. On the map, the South Swamp Outpost sits west of the Water Treatment Control building. When zoomed in fully, you’ll spot a small disc-shaped structure below the “South Swamp Outpost” label.
Approach and surroundings
The outpost is a rundown building with a rusty entrance and a dome-like structure on the roof. Expect enemy Raiders nearby — several spawn points surround the building. It’s best to visit during the day since the interior lighting is poor.
Recovering the journal
Enter through any door. Inside, you’ll find a circular main room with a small hallway. Check the sides: you’ll see two beds or sleeping mats. The journal lies on one of them — sometimes at the foot, close to falling off.
Interact with the yellow quest marker to trigger the search. Pick up the journal and immediately place it in your Safe Pocket — only then is it protected from loss.
Finding Celeste’s Journal in the Northern Outpost
The second journal is located in the northern part of the map and is labeled as “Raider Outpost East” — not “Northern Outpost,” despite what the quest text suggests. It sits northeast of the Power Generation Complex, at the very top of the map.
Approach and location
The outpost sits on a cliff overlooking the Red Lakes. If you’re coming from the south, it’s best to follow the outer edges of the map to avoid unnecessary encounters with ARC units. Use one of the rocky side paths leading up the hill.
Recovering the second journal
The interior mirrors the South Swamp Outpost. Look again for the hallway with the beds. The second journal is placed on another sleeping mat. Interact with the marker, pick it up, and store it in your Safe Pocket. Once you have both journals, head straight for the nearest extraction zone.
Extraction and Turn-In
Extraction is the most dangerous part. Because the two outposts are far apart, you’ve already burned a lot of time — and ARC activity ramps up the longer the raid goes on.
Tips for a safe extraction:
- Avoid open areas and use cover
- Watch for ARC patrols and other Raiders
- Use the minimap to track extraction points
- Plan your path ahead and avoid detours
Once you’ve successfully extracted, return to Speranza and talk to Celeste to finish the quest.
Rewards for Celeste’s Journals
After turning in both journals, you’ll receive the following rewards:
- 1x Magnetic Accelerator
- 3x Heavy Gun Parts
- 1x Exodus Module
These materials are especially valuable for crafting and upgrading gear.
Common Issues and Quest Bugs
A known bug can occur if you pick up only one journal and extract. The quest won’t update correctly, forcing you to collect both journals again.
How to fix the bug:
- Return to the Dam Battlegrounds
- Drop the journal you previously collected
- Revisit both locations and interact with the markers
- Extract with both journals in your inventory
This workaround ensures the quest completes properly. Avoid the bug altogether by collecting both journals in a single raid and extracting immediately.
