Days Gone NERO Research Site Cascade Location
Exploring the post-apocalyptic wilderness of Days Gone requires players to constantly upgrade Deacon St. John to survive the relentless Freaker hordes. Scouring the Cascade region for hidden NERO Research Sites is one of the most effective ways to permanently boost your health, stamina, and focus stats. Finding these elusive locations yields critical mobile injectors and unique audio logs that flesh out the deep lore of the game world.
The Secret Ridge Near Copelands Camp
The first significant NERO outpost in the Cascade wilderness is situated just southeast of Copeland's operational camp. Reaching this specific point requires a decent amount of mechanical preparation rather than just standard foot travel. You must utilize a nitrous boost upgrade on your drifting motorcycle to successfully leap across a massive rocky chasm to reach the crashed chopper site.
Once you clear the jump, look around the smoking wreckage to secure your stat-boosting injector and the local piece of NERO intel. Be careful when heading back down because falling into the deep canyon below will instantly result in death. Upgrading your bike's engine performance early makes navigating this particular jump significantly smoother.
Navigating the Dangerous Grotto Caves
Another major point of interest is buried deep inside the Grotto Caves, located near the eastern edges of the Pioneer Cemetery territory. This area is highly dangerous because it serves as a primary feeding ground and hibernation spot for a massive Freaker horde. Entering this subterranean network during the daytime is highly discouraged unless you are fully geared for intense combat.
To safely grab the prize, wait until nightfall when the massive group leaves the cavern to hunt in the nearby woods. Sneak directly into the pitch-black cavern system and navigate toward the glowing blue NERO beacon at the far end of the tunnel. Grab the vital injector quickly and slip out before the morning sun draws the deadly horde back home.
The Horse Creek Overlook Ambush Site
The final hidden facility in this starting zone sits high above the landscape near the Horse Creek Ambush Camp. Players will need to clear out the local human scavengers occupying the surface camp before safely tracking down the research area. After securing the perimeter, follow the dirt path leading under the train bridge to discover a hidden mountain ledge.
This scenic overview holds a small abandoned medical setup complete with an upgrade case waiting to be opened. Exploring these high-altitude perches provides excellent tactical views of the surrounding valleys for future missions. Gathering all of these upgrades across the Cascade map ensures Deacon is properly prepared for the tougher challenges waiting in the southern regions.