ARC Raiders thrives on exploration, scavenging, and survival, and few quests showcase this better than Digging Up Dirt. Assigned by Celeste, this mission challenges you to locate a hidden dead drop tucked away within the Santa Maria Houses. While it sounds simple on paper, actually finding the stash requires a bit of navigation and problem-solving.

If you’ve spent any time on the surface, you already know that completing these side missions isn’t just about exploration — it’s also about survival. Digging Up Dirt offers a good balance of both. Whether you’re a cautious player or someone who prefers to charge in guns blazing, this guide will walk you step-by-step through how to complete the quest safely and efficiently.

Before You Begin

One of the best things about Digging Up Dirt is that it doesn’t require extraction to receive credit. Once you interact with the dead drop, the quest is complete — no need to survive the trek back to safety to bank your progress.

That said, it’s smart to enter this mission with a free or minimal loadout. Because you’ll be exploring an area that occasionally attracts other Raiders and ARC patrols, there’s always the risk of getting taken out unexpectedly. Using disposable gear means you won’t lose anything valuable if things go sideways.

If you want to be extra cautious, pack a basic weapon for defense, some light healing ARCR Items, and focus on mobility. This quest is about location, not combat.

Where to Find the Santa Maria Houses

The Digging Up Dirt quest sends you to the Santa Maria Houses, located in the southern portion of Buried City. You’ll recognize it as a small cluster of buildings, partially buried and covered in sand — a quiet residential-style zone that contrasts sharply with the industrial chaos of nearby regions.

The good news? The Santa Maria Houses area is usually one of the safer POIs (Points of Interest) in most matches. You won’t typically encounter heavy ARC presence here unless the match has been particularly chaotic or another player has lured enemies in your direction.

Even so, stay alert. Just because the area starts off calm doesn’t mean it’ll stay that way. Always clear corners and rooftops before committing to your descent into the building.

How to Enter the Santa Maria Houses Building

When you first reach the Santa Maria Houses, it may seem impossible to access the building containing the dead drop from the ground level. The front and lower entrances appear sealed, leading many players to wander around aimlessly. The trick is to approach the structure from above.

Climb to the rooftop of the target building. Look for a set of partially collapsed stairs, crates, or nearby debris you can use to get some elevation.

On the roof, you’ll find an open window that leads into the attic space. This is your entry point.

Drop inside carefully — once you land in the attic, you’ll spot a zipline that leads downward into the next level of the building. Take the zipline to progress further inside.

From here, navigation is straightforward. The interior layout is relatively linear, with only a few branching paths that lead to lootable side rooms. As you descend, check containers for ammo or crafting components, but don’t linger too long — the real prize is below.

Finding the Dead Drop

Eventually, you’ll reach a large open room on the ground floor, noticeably different from the other rooms you’ve passed through. The floor here is partially buried in sand, a visual cue that you’re in the right place.

In the center of this room lies the object you’re looking for — the dead drop container Celeste mentioned. Interact with it to complete your objective. Once you’ve done this, the quest will automatically register as complete, and you can decide whether you want to stick around to loot more or make your exit.

If you’re lucky, the area will still be quiet. If not, prepare for a quick escape.

Extracting Safely After the Quest

While extraction isn’t required for Digging Up Dirt, it’s often a good idea to head out once you’ve finished — especially if you’ve gathered valuable loot during your run. The Southern Station and Eastern Station are the two closest extraction points to Santa Maria Houses.

Southern Station: Usually less populated, but can be risky if the ARC has spawned reinforcements nearby.

Eastern Station: More commonly used by players, so expect possible PvP encounters but faster access routes.

Pick whichever one fits your situation. If the timer is running low, don’t delay — ARC reinforcements tend to flood the area as time ticks down, turning quiet streets into deathtraps.

On your way out, keep to rooftops and alleys when possible. The Buried City is full of chokepoints that can trap you if you’re not paying attention.

Tips for Completing the Quest Smoothly

Use free loadouts. Since death doesn’t affect quest progress, there’s no need to risk rare ARC Raiders Items.

Approach from above. Don’t waste time trying to enter the Santa Maria Houses from the ground floor — the rooftop route is the only way in.

Keep your eyes open for loot. The building’s side rooms sometimes spawn decent crafting materials or low-tier attachments.

Don’t linger too long. Once the dead drop is collected, make your way to an extraction point or reset for your next mission.

Rewards and What’s Next

Completing Digging Up Dirt advances Celeste’s storyline and may unlock additional missions tied to her. The rewards aren’t extravagant, but the quest serves as a stepping stone toward more significant contracts and deeper lore about the Raiders’ operations in Buried City.

The experience also makes you familiar with the Santa Maria Houses — a useful location to remember for future scavenging runs. Between its relative safety and central location, it’s a convenient spot to regroup or resupply in later quests.

Final Thoughts

Digging Up Dirt may seem simple at first glance, but like many missions in ARC Raiders, it rewards patience and situational awareness. The quest teaches you how to think vertically — how to approach structures creatively and exploit environmental clues to reach hidden objectives.

Whether you’re clearing missions for Celeste or just exploring the wasteland, this quest is a satisfying and relatively low-risk way to earn progress while practicing your navigation skills. Just remember: in ARC Raiders, curiosity is valuable — but survival always comes first.