Knox Country Survival: Where to Base Up Before You Become Lunch
Welcome to Knox Country โ Survivor's Overview
Project Zomboid's Knox Country (formerly Knox County) is the expansive, fictional quarantined zone in Kentucky where the game's zombie apocalypse unfolds. This guide will delve into every corner of Knox Country โ from its sleepy rural towns to the dense urban ruins of Louisville โ arming even veteran survivors with advanced knowledge to improve their odds.
We'll cover the terrain and biome quirks, navigation challenges like rivers and military blockades, prime base locations and loot routes, plus touch on how recent updates and community mods have altered the landscape. In the lore, Knox Country became ground zero of the Knox Event infection in 1993, prompting the US military to seal off the area in a desperate quarantine. You, however, are trapped on the inside โ so knowing the lay of the land is literally a matter of life and death. For detailed information about specific locations, see our comprehensive Knox Country breakdown.
Zombie Threats
From sparse rural zombies to dense urban hordes
Base Building
Strategic locations and fortification tips
Navigation
Navigate roads, forests, and military blockades
Knox Country at a Glance: Towns & Danger Levels
To start, here's a quick reference comparing the major population centers in Knox Country. Each locale has its own character, loot opportunities, and hazards โ understanding these will inform where you choose to spawn or set up a safehouse:
| Town/City | Zombie Density | Notable Features & Loot | Popular Base Spots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muldraugh | Medium (moderate spread) | Many industrial warehouses (tools, generators), decent residential loot | Large Warehouse (north edge); Storage lots; Farmhouses south of town |
| Riverside | Low (second easiest) | Rural town by Ohio River, Fishing Club, Country Club, rich homes | Gated community; Riverside Lodge; Country club |
| Rosewood | Very Low (easiest) | County services โ courthouse, fire department, police station; Near prison | Fire Department; Suburban house block; Farm plot west of town |
| West Point | High (hardest spawn) | Dense downtown with shops, large residential area, gun store on outskirts | Large warehouse west of town; Twiggy's bar; Farmhouse north of town |
| Louisville | Extreme (end-game) | Massive city with multiple districts: downtown, residential neighborhoods, mall, hospital | Mall roof; Isolated mansion; Single apartment in high-rise |
This table provides a starting point โ read on for detailed breakdowns of each area, strategies for traveling between them, and tips for leveraging their unique advantages.
The Exclusion Zone: Story & Setting
The Knox Event
July 1993: A mysterious outbreak leads to the establishment of the Knox Exclusion Zone, cordoning off rural Kentucky. The military sets up checkpoints, forbidding entry or exit.
Understanding Knox Country's lore isn't just flavor โ it often aligns with gameplay realities like blocked roads or high zombie concentration in certain areas. In July 1993, a mysterious outbreak (the Knox Infection) led the government to establish the Knox Exclusion Zone, cordoning off a chunk of rural Kentucky that includes Muldraugh, West Point, Riverside, and Rosewood. The idea was to contain the infection and information โ the military set up checkpoints and forbade anyone from entering or leaving.
In-game, you'll notice military blockade props and huge highway wrecks: for example, the highway bridge leading north out of West Point toward Louisville is choked with burned cars and barbed wire fencing, reflecting how the Army stopped refugees from fleeing the area. As the lore goes, on July 16 the situation went from bad to worse โ panicked civilians breached containment and the Army responded by demolishing the Ohio River bridges to Louisville, killing hundreds and trapping everyone inside Knox Country for good.
This catastrophic act explains why Louisville (north of the river) is also overrun by the time you get there, and why there's no escape: the river defines the northern edge of the playable map (with broken bridge stubs to see) and an endless expanse of forest or invisible walls define other borders. The entire region is effectively one big dead-end, sealed by nature or man-made barriers. No help is coming, and if you venture to the map edges you'll typically find blocked roads or impassable terrain.
Core Towns and Cities of Knox Country
Knox Country spans a variety of towns and landscapes, all connected into one huge seamless map. It's roughly modeled after real areas around Fort Knox and Louisville, KY, but heavily condensed for gameplay. We'll explore each main location, hitting on what makes them unique and how you can use (or abuse) their features to survive.
Muldraugh: "Dead Center" of Knox Country
MEDIUM DIFFICULTYA stylized tourist map of Muldraugh, KY, with its north-south highway and clustered buildings.
Often considered the default starter town, Muldraugh sits roughly in the middle of Knox Country. In real life it's a small military town, and in-game it retains that "army adjacent" vibe: it's just north of the (non-accessible) Fort Knox base and south of Louisville's outskirts. Muldraugh itself is basically a single long highway strip surrounded by woods, dotted with modest homes and a lot of industrial buildings.
Survival Highlights
Muldraugh's biggest draw is the abundance of tools and supplies. The town has several large warehouses, a self storage facility, a logging company on the outskirts, and two gas stations โ treasure troves for generators, fuel, carpentry tools, and other essentials for long-term survival. It has a small police station (for a chance at guns) and a few diners/grocery stores for food, but overall Muldraugh is more about practical loot than advanced gear. Many experienced players use Muldraugh as a "supply town": even if they don't stay, they pass through to grab building materials and vehicle parts.
Base Potential
Thanks to lots of open space, Muldraugh offers multiple solid safehouse options. The large warehouse in the north is a favorite โ it's somewhat isolated at the edge of town and comes with a tall roof and lots of storage crates. Just be prepared to clear out the few zombies that loiter inside and reinforce the ground-floor entrances. Another popular choice is the self storage lot (south of the main drag), which has pre-fenced sections and few windows. If you prefer solitude, the farms and cabins south of Muldraugh are extremely remote (minimal zombie spawn) โ a great place to build a custom base, albeit far from loot.
Challenges
The flip side of a linear town is that zombies can line the main road like a gauntlet. If you make a lot of noise driving through, expect them to pour out of the residential side-streets. Also, Muldraugh's lack of big weapon stashes means you'll eventually need to venture out for guns or skill books (the local bookstore is small). It's a town you outgrow as your needs evolve, but it serves as an excellent start or fallback location.
Riverside: Quiet, Wealthy Riverside Community
LOW DIFFICULTYMap of Riverside. This small town hugs the riverbank, with shops downtown and spacious estates to the east.
Tucked up along the banks of the mighty Ohio River, Riverside offers a very different atmosphere โ and pace of undead โ compared to other towns. It's known as the "Pride of the Ohio" and is depicted as a colorful, affluent town. In gameplay terms, Riverside is often recommended to players who want a "chill" start. It has the second-lowest zombie population of any starting town (only Rosewood is sparser).
Layout & Loot
Riverside's map is split by a west-east gradient: the western side is the "old town" with the main street, shops, church, and bar, while the eastern side features larger houses and the country club (wealthier area). Key loot spots include the Gigamart grocery and a hardware store in town, but the crown jewel is the "Knox Heights" Country Club to the far west โ containing a restaurant, golf course (lots of open space), a pool, and some rare loot in the golf range building (where you might find a few guns or katanas).
Base Potential
If you want a pre-fortified home, Riverside's gated community is legendary. On the north side of town, there's a neighborhood with a single entrance and metal gate, enclosing a loop of high-end houses. By clearing and claiming just that one entrance, you effectively have a secure compound. Many players move into one of those big houses (for storage and multiple exits upstairs) and fortify the gate โ it's arguably one of the safest vanilla bases.
Challenges
While initially light on zombie pressure, Riverside has one big drawback: it lacks specialized loot. It has the fewest nearby gun locations (no police station in town โ the closest is in Rosewood or West Point) and limited bookstores. You might struggle to find certain skill books or a sledgehammer here. That means eventually you'll venture out to, say, Muldraugh's warehouses or West Point's police station to round out your supplies.
Rosewood: Small Town, Big Safety (and a Prison)
VERY LOW DIFFICULTYRosewood's map, highlighting its compact nature with key services (Police, Courthouse, Firehouse) in the town center.
Rosewood lies in the southwest reaches of Knox Country, and it's notable for being the easiest starting location for most players. This town has the lowest zombie population of the four spawns โ many newcomers survive their first week here relatively unharassed. The vibe is "community hub": Rosewood has the Knox County courthouse, administration buildings, a brand new fire department, and a well-equipped police station all close together.
Layout & Loot
Rosewood's commercial and civic buildings are centered around one main intersection โ you've got a tavern, a small grocery (Sunstar), a bookstore, and the police station in one cluster, with the school and residential homes radiating outward. The new fire station (firehouse) is just south of that center and has lots of tools (axes, saws) and even an upstairs with beds, making it attractive as a starting base. Uniquely, Rosewood's prison is a point of interest: just west of town (down some winding dirt roads) is the Knox Penitentiary. It's huge and absolutely packed with zombies, but inside are an armory, infirmary, and tons of storage.
Base Potential
For beginners and veterans alike, Rosewood Fire Department is an excellent base option. It's a modern two-story building with limited ground-floor windows, a built-in garage for vehicles, and a perimeter you can fence off partially. It starts with food (vending machine), medical supplies, and beds. The police station across the street is also attractive once cleared โ its perimeter fence and yard can be repurposed for farming or parking, and the building itself is small but sturdy (metal-barred windows).
Challenges
Rosewood's calm can lull you into a false sense of security. Don't get complacent โ roaming hordes from the highway or migrating out of the woods can still stumble into town. The wide-open nature of its streets means if a big group does show up, you might get flanked. Also, while Rosewood has a little of everything, it doesn't have a lot of anything. You might find one generator, one axe, one box of ammoโฆ but not the variety or quantity that West Point or Louisville offers.
West Point: High-Pop Hell with High Rewards
HIGH DIFFICULTYWest Point's layout clusters near the river bend with a dense grid of streets and connections toward Louisville.
If Rosewood is easy mode, West Point is nightmare mode โ at least in the early game. West Point has the highest population density of the starting towns, making it a challenge even for seasoned survivors. This riverside town (located on the south bank of the Ohio, north of Muldraugh) is more urbanized than the others aside from Louisville. It boasts a downtown strip with multi-story buildings and a sprawling residential neighborhood.
Layout & Loot
West Point's main street is packed with attractions: a large grocery store, hardware store, pharmacy, two restaurants, and the famous Twiggy's Bar (a popular hangout with upstairs pool hall). There's also a video store for VHS tapes (skills XP source) and plenty of storage sheds in back alleys. Crucially, West Point is near a standalone gun store (West Point Hunting Lodge) located on the highway just west out of town โ a fenced compound with an gun shop and warehouse.
Survival Strategy
West Point is an exercise in patience and stealth. On Day 1, you'll want to stay quiet โ an alarm or gunshot here can pull literally hundreds of zombies to your location. Many players adopt a "smash and grab" approach: identify one target (say the hardware store for tools) and carefully clear a path there, grab loot, then fall back to an edge of town safehouse.
Base Potential
Securing a base inside West Point is tough but doable. Twiggy's Bar is often mentioned: it has a second floor, multiple exits (including a sheet rope possibility from the roof), and plenty of space. If you clear it, it's a defendable hub. Another popular base is actually outside town: the large warehouse to the west (toward the gun store). It's similar to Muldraugh's big warehouse and sits alone by the highway.
Louisville: Urban Playground of the Dead
EXTREME DIFFICULTYPortion of the Louisville city map showing dense urban sprawl with thousands of zombies but unmatched loot variety.
Once you've looted the smaller towns and honed your survival skills, Louisville awaits. Louisville is an enormous city taking up the entire northeast quadrant of the map โ by far the largest and most diverse location in Knox Country. It's essentially endgame content: the devs advise only heading into Louisville when you're well-armed and supplied. The zombie population in Louisville is gargantuan (20,000+ on default settings).
Layout & Districts
Louisville is roughly divided into districts: a downtown area with skyscrapers, commercial zones with malls and restaurants, suburban residential blocks on the edges, a riverfront, a university campus, and even a fairgrounds. Notable landmarks include the Louisville Mall (a huge multi-story shopping center), the hospital (filled with medical supplies and special tools), the police headquarters (multiple gun caches), and various unique spots like a boxing arena, a movie theater, and the Louisville Expo Center.
Surviving Louisville
Treat Louisville as a separate chapter of the game. It requires a shift to urban survival tactics. Moving on foot is slow but safer (driving in Louisville is suicide unless you've cleared a route โ the roads are jammed with wrecks and wandering hordes). You'll want to move methodically, perhaps claiming a base on the outskirts and then doing clearing operations block by block.
Best Loot in the Game
Almost everything that is one-of-a-kind or extremely rare elsewhere can be found in Louisville if you know where to look. Need a specific skill book? Hit up the Louisville Public Library downtown โ it's huge. Want military-grade weapons? The KY National Guard base in eastern Louisville has an armory (though heavily fortified by undead). Looking for vehicles in perfect condition? Check the dealership row or the fire department motor pool.
Challenges
Louisville is endgame for a reason. Performance can be an issue (all those zombies and objects in one area). But gameplay-wise, the challenges are: overwhelming zombie density, labyrinthine streets (it's easy to get boxed in down a dead-end alley with zombies on your heels), and the quarantine wall boxing you in. Once you go deep into the city, retreating out to the countryside can be an ordeal in itself, especially if you've attracted a tail of zombies.
Between the Towns: Biomes, Roads, and Hazards
Knox Country is one big open world, and surviving often means journeying from one town to another. But the wilds between population centers are far from empty. Here's what you need to know about the terrain and travel:
Road Network
The primary north-south highway runs from Fort Knox through Muldraugh and West Point, toward Louisville. An east-west road links Muldraugh to Rosewood. From West Point, a secondary road heads west toward Riverside. Beware that wrecks and abandoned cars often spawn on roads, so you may need to tow or push them aside.
Forests and Fields
Much of Knox Country between towns is dense forest or open farmland. Forests are great for travel if you want to avoid roads โ zombies are fewer in deep woods. However, moving through forests is slow (keep an eye on fatigue). Farmland areas, especially west of West Point and south of Muldraugh, are wide open and relatively flat.
Rivers and Waterways
The Ohio River marks the northern boundary of the map โ you can't cross it (the bridges are destroyed), and going into the water is a no-go (no swimming mechanic). Bridges within the zone can act as pinch-points for zombies โ if you make noise on one end of a bridge, zombies will funnel across it.
Blockades & Wrecks
The game simulates the quarantine with physical barriers. On some main roads you'll find army vehicles, piles of corpses, and burnt cars. These are both atmospheric and a gameplay obstacle โ you might have to spend a day clearing a path (sledgehammering wrecks, towing cars, etc.).
Weather and Seasons
Knox Country has four seasons, and terrain matters with weather. In winter, rivers and lakes can freeze, and snow will blanket roads and fields, obscuring zombies. In spring and summer, dense foliage can hide zombies in forests. Thunderstorms can drown out the noise of an approaching horde.
Points of Interest
There are notable spots between towns that aren't marked by big signs. Between Muldraugh and West Point, there's the Knox Rifle Range. Out in the woods east of Rosewood, you might stumble on a survivalist's camp. And let's not forget the Mall south of Valley Station โ a gigantic shopping mall packed with zombies but also every store imaginable.
Travel Tips
Always pack for a journey. If you're driving, have a spare gas can, tire pump, etc. If you're walking, bring water and some food, and maybe a tent kit if you might have to sleep outdoors. Mark safehouses along the way โ there are empty cabins or houses dotted in the woods that you can clear and use as a forward base. In multiplayer, beware of player-made traps on roads. Use less-traveled routes if human threats are a concern.
Strategic Base Building Across Knox Country
Choosing where to settle down is one of the most important decisions for long-term survival. Let's discuss base-building strategy with respect to different areas, and a few general principles that experienced players follow:
Defensibility
Look for places with existing fences or walls. They funnel zombie movement and buy you time during an attack. Second-story entrances (like roof access or external staircases) are a huge plus โ many players create "sky bridges" or sheet rope ladders to only access their base from above, rendering it almost impervious to wandering zombies.
Location Strategy
A base near the center of the map is convenient for loot runs in all directions, but those areas also tend to see more zombie migration. A remote base is safer from hordes but can make supply runs an ordeal. Some veterans maintain multiple safehouses: a main base in a low-pop town and an outpost near a high-value loot area.
Sustainability
Your base needs water and possibly food production. Rain collector barrels on roofs can feed into sinks (if you have the plumbing skill). Farming plots should be within your base's fenced area if possible. Some top base locations have wells (unlimited water) โ for example, the farm west of Muldraugh has a well, which is amazing for long games.
Best Bases in Each Major Area
Muldraugh Bases
- North warehouse (excellent isolation)
- Enigma Books bookstore (defensible layout)
- Sunstar Motel on the highway
- Large farmsteads south of town
Riverside Bases
- Gated community (nearly pre-built safe zone)
- Factory north of town (large industrial space)
- Boat Club building (scenic river location)
- Country club (spacious but needs securing)
Rosewood Bases
- Fire Station (top choice, ready-made)
- Gated Law Office/Courthouse complex
- Fenced junkyard at town's edge
- Rosewood school (huge two-story building)
West Point Bases
- Large warehouse outside town
- Food Market (with roof access)
- Gas station + mechanic shop combo
- Secluded villa north across the river
Louisville Bases
- Louisville Fire Department HQ
- Church in eastern suburb (fenced yard)
- Second floor of the Mall (block stairs)
- Kentucky Government Building rooftop
PvP Considerations
If you're on a PvP server, stealth is key. You might opt for a base away from known points of interest. For example, the farm fields in central Knox Country โ build a base in the middle of nowhere, with no road leading to it. It might not have the convenience of a town, but other players won't casually stumble on it either. Camouflage your base by not chopping all trees around it (leave a natural "wall" of forest). Avoid using generators at night (lights can be seen far off by observant players).
Community Favorite Base Spots
Through community discussions, some locations achieve almost legendary status. To name a few: McCoy Logging Company (north of Muldraugh) โ huge fenced lumberyard that can become an extremely secure base with effort. The "Edge of Louisville" farmhouse โ an old farmhouse on the very border of Louisville's map cell that somehow often stays quiet. The Valley Station "Secret Bunker" โ a certain house with metal walls and lots of supplies, making it a ready-made bunker base if you find it.
Surviving and Thriving: Advanced Tips and Tricks
Let's compile some advanced tips that experienced survivors use in Knox Country. This section is a bit of a grab bag โ from travel tricks to mods that enhance gameplay โ all aimed at maximizing your survival time.
Use the Map
The Project Zomboid online map project is an external tool that virtually everyone uses. It shows the entire Knox Country with searchable buildings. Use it to plan your loot runs โ mark down where gun stores are, where pharmacies or libraries are in each town. In-game, acquire town maps and read them to mark your in-game map with important locations.
Leverage Sound Diversion
Knox's connected world means sound travels far. Use that to your advantage: set a car alarm or honking car up the road, or even toss a noisemaker in one direction then go around the other. For instance, to enter West Point's dense center, you could trigger the alarm at the grocery store at one end of town, drawing zombies there, while you sneak into the hardware store three blocks away.
Tame the Highways
Over time, invest effort in clearing main roads between your frequent routes. Drag wrecks off the road with a tow truck, disassemble or burn corpses, and even put up sheet rope ladders over big highway fences so you have shortcuts. Some players establish "rest stops" by placing water barrels and canned food in specific roadside houses.
Power and Water Independence
Get a generator early and learn how to use it (find the "How to Use Generators" magazine). Place generators on roofs or balconies if possible. Stockpile fuel in a safe location; the gas pumps will all shut off eventually. For water, set up rain collector barrels even before water goes out. If you find a property with a well, prioritize it as a base because that's unlimited water without needing power.
Exploit Biomes for Resources
Each "biome" has its use. Forests yield forage items โ you can get medicinal herbs, food, and materials. In summer, foraging in deep forest can keep you fed indefinitely, while in winter, stick to foraging in towns. Rivers and lakes mean fishing; make rods or traps and get fish, which is a renewable food source (especially in winter when farming is slow).
Keep Mobility Options
Cars are great until they're not. Always have a backup vehicle stashed somewhere safe, with fuel in it. Consider keeping a bicycle or motorcycle (with mods) in your base for quick solo errands. Also, maintain your vehicle: West Point's auto shop or Louisville's many garages can have spare parts; grab tires, engine parts, etc. A broken car in the middle of nowhere can be a death sentence if you're far from shelter.
Mods & Tools to Enhance Knox Country
The community has created some fantastic mods that specifically focus on the map and Knox Country. A few worth mentioning:
Map Expansion Mods
- Fort Knox mod: Adds the Fort Knox military base to the map (south of Muldraugh)
- Over the River: Connects new areas on the west side by adding bridges
- Eerie Country: A huge mod map north of Knox Country
- Grapeseed & Blackwood: Adding fictional towns that connect to the vanilla map
Utility Mods
- More Maps: Ensure you can find or craft maps for every region
- Minimap: Adds a small map to your UI for easier navigation
- GPS: Shows coordinates to help with precise location tracking
- Map Symbol Size Slider: Customize the appearance of your in-game map
Building & Defense Mods
- Build 41 Building Tools: More fortification options
- Extended Building Options: Concrete walls, metal barricades, etc.
- More Builds: Expanded furniture and structural options
- Aquatsar Yacht Club: Adds functional boats to navigate rivers
Learn From the Community
Don't underestimate the wealth of knowledge from other players. There are YouTube series where pros attempt insane challenges, effectively teaching by example. For instance, a popular series saw a player attempt to clear every zombie from Knox County โ watching how they systematically moved town to town is basically a masterclass in strategy. Streamers like AmbiguousAmphibian have done runs like "Lone survivor in Louisville" where you can pick up tips on how to kite huge hordes or barricade on the fly.
Patch History & Map Changes (Last 18 Months)
Project Zomboid's world is ever-evolving. In the past year and a half, The Indie Stone made significant changes and plans specifically affecting Knox Country's map and navigation. Here's a brief timeline of important updates:
Dec 2021 (Build 41.60) โ Louisville Expansion
The official map grew dramatically with the introduction of Louisville. This update increased Knox Country's size by about 4x, adding the huge city area and surrounding neighborhoods. It also added the quarantine wall and new story elements (burnt buildings at Louisville's edge, military checkpoints). This was a game-changer for late-game play, giving veterans a new challenge.
2022 โ Polishing and Minor Zones
Throughout 2022, several smaller patches (41.71, 41.73, etc.) tweaked existing locations. Zombie distributions were adjusted (ex: more uniform respawn in farmlands). Map bugs were fixed โ like stuck zombie spawn points or inaccessible rooms. Notably, the devs quietly updated some building models in West Point and Muldraugh ("Muldraugh facelift") to prepare for Build 42.
Early 2023 โ Build 41.78 Stable & Build 42 Dev
Build 41 had its final stable patch around spring 2023 (41.78.x) focusing on MP stability and introducing improved foraging system. Meanwhile, Build 42 development was in full swing. Dev blogs in mid-2023 hinted at expanding Knox Country westwards with new areas, as well as adding underground locations (like basements, bunkers) and even railroad infrastructure.
Late 2024 (Build 42 Unstable) โ Knox Country Expansion
In November 2024, Build 42 entered unstable public beta. This update explicitly expanded the Knox Country map with three new towns and numerous smaller locations. The new towns โ Ekron, Brandenburg, and Irvington โ fill out the previously empty western portion of the map. They come with unique sites like a community college (Ekron), a "wild west town" tourist attraction, and an orphanage.
Early 2025 โ Ongoing Unstable Patches
As of May 2025, Build 42 is still in testing (around version 42.7.x). The devs have been patching issues in the new map areas โ fixing things like misaligned stairs, loot distribution in new towns, and vehicle spawn zones on newly added roads. All signs point to Build 42 releasing stable soon, cementing these map expansions for all players.
Ready to Survive Knox Country?
Armed with this knowledge of Knox Country's geography, dangers, and opportunities, you're better prepared to face the zombie apocalypse. Whether you're building a fortress in Riverside's gated community or making daring raids into Louisville's urban jungle, understanding the terrain gives you a crucial edge.
Remember: in Project Zomboid, it's not a question of if you'll die, but when โ and how long you can postpone the inevitable. Good luck, survivor!