Rabbit Hash, KY: A Small Town Mod Making Big Waves in Project Zomboid

Ever heard of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky? In the real world it’s a one-of-a-kind riverbank hamlet famous for its 19th-century general store and elected dog mayors. In Project Zomboid, Rabbit Hash lives on as a fan-made map mod that’s captured players’ hearts (and countless zombies’ heads). This quaint community map started as a labor of love by two modders and has since become one of the most beloved add-ons to the Knox County apocalypse. If you’re looking to spice up your survival with a rural twist – complete with hidden trails, a rustic general store, and maybe a canine mascot in spirit – Rabbit Hash, KY might just be your new favorite stomping ground. Let’s dive into how this real-life tiny town got recreated in Zomboid and why survivors can’t stop raving about it.

A Real Town Turned Zombie Town

To appreciate Rabbit Hash in Project Zomboid, it helps to know a bit about the real place. Rabbit Hash is a very small unincorporated community on the Ohio River in Kentucky – the kind of blink-and-you-miss-it spot known chiefly for its iconic General Store (established in 1831) and a quirky tradition of electing local dogs as mayor every few years. Yes, you read that right: since 1998, Rabbit Hash’s “mayors” have been canines, a fun fundraiser that’s become local legend. It’s the sort of charming backwater town that oozes Americana and doesn’t usually show up on world maps – much less zombie survival games.

Enter Project Zomboid’s modding community. The base game’s map focuses on a fictionalized Knox County, KY, including towns like Muldraugh, West Point, Riverside, Rosewood, and Louisville. In between these hubs are miles of countryside, farms, and the occasional lake – plenty of room for creative modders to slip in new locations. That’s exactly what happened with Rabbit Hash. Around mid-2022, modders Haragon and doist set out to bring this real-world locale into the game’s universe, giving us the Rabbit Hash, KY map mod. They chose a swath of unused cells along the river and transplanted Rabbit Hash there – like moving a little puzzle piece of Kentucky into a gap on the Zomboid map.

According to the mod’s description, they “displaced [Rabbit Hash] a bit geographically” to make it fit in-game, placing it downriver from its real home. In Project Zomboid terms, Rabbit Hash occupies cells 30x24 and 31x24 on the world grid – roughly in the dead space between Riverside and West Point, along the riverbank. This clever positioning means it doesn’t overwrite any vanilla towns, but rather fills in a once-empty stretch of woods with new points of interest. Haragon noted that the town’s layout “seemed to fit well” into the surrounding road network, almost as if it belonged there all along. The result is a seamless addition; you can drive (or boat) to Rabbit Hash as if it were always part of Knox Country.

What’s amazing is how true to life the mod tries to be, while still serving gameplay. The real Rabbit Hash is tiny – just a few buildings – so the mod authors took some creative liberties, expanding it with extra structures and features to make it a worthwhile adventure. They kept the spirit of the place (yes, the famous General Store is present and accounted for) but also added facilities that a player would need, like a police station and a large farm. Think of it like a director’s cut of Rabbit Hash: the core setting is authentic, but there are new scenes to discover that even real-life tourists won’t find.

And because the modders built Rabbit Hash using mostly vanilla Project Zomboid tiles and assets, it blends right in. In fact, this was Haragon and doist’s very first map mod, and they intentionally stuck to the base game’s tileset for reliability. Aside from one custom touch – a special tile for the General Store’s sign – everything else uses the game’s stock “Lego pieces” to recreate rustic Kentucky charm. That means no hefty texture downloads or compatibility fuss; the mod is a lightweight ~3 MB add-on that feels like an official part of the map. If you didn’t know better, you might think The Indie Stone snuck in a bonus town when you weren’t looking.

Before we pack our bags for Rabbit Hash, here’s a quick rundown of how to get the mod and set it up:

Installing the Rabbit Hash, KY Mod

1. Download the Mod: Find “Rabbit Hash, KY” on the Project Zomboid Steam Workshop and hit Subscribe. (Workshop ID 2815966702 if you need to search). The mod should download automatically. Note: As of this writing, the Workshop item is temporarily hidden due to a guideline issue, but the creators plan to update it for the game’s Build 42, so keep an eye out. If it’s unavailable, you can look for it on PZ mod sites or the Durst Mapping Discord (the authors’ community).
2. Enable the Mod: Launch Project Zomboid and go to Mods from the main menu. Enable RabbitHashKY (that’s the mod’s ID) in the list. Make sure any required tile packs are enabled too – fortunately, Rabbit Hash doesn’t need extra tile mods since it’s mostly vanilla tiles.
3. Start a New Game (or Continue): For a fresh start, begin a new sandbox/survival game. In the Spawn Location drop-down, you should see Rabbit Hash, KY as an option, alongside the usual towns. Select it to spawn there. If you want to visit Rabbit Hash in an existing save, you can – just enable the mod and travel to the area (it occupies cells 30,24 and 31,24). Be warned that if you’d previously been in that zone, you might need a new save; best to install map mods before world creation.
4. Load Order for Multiple Maps: If you use multiple map mods, ensure Rabbit Hash doesn’t conflict. For example, North Peak map uses the same cells but leaves them empty; the fix is to load Rabbit Hash before North Peak so Rabbit Hash takes priority. Generally, check each map mod’s cell usage (authors often list coordinates) to avoid overlaps. Tools like PZ Map Project or community maps can help visualize mod regions. Rabbit Hash’s cells are unique except overlapping a bit with mods like North Peak and Buffalo Hill (which also uses 31×24). When in doubt, adjust the mod order or choose one map over another.
5. Launch and Verify: Start the game. If spawning in Rabbit Hash, you should appear on a riverside road or safehouse within the new map. If you spawn elsewhere, you can drive to Rabbit Hash – the roads connecting from West Point/Riverside will seamlessly lead there if the mod is working. Press M for the map: the town should show up on your in-game map (Rabbit Hash includes in-game map support, so it won’t be just a blank void). Time to play!

# Example server config snippet for adding Rabbit Hash, KY
Mods=RabbitHashKY
Map=RabbitHashKY;Muldraugh, KY

Code snippet: If you run a dedicated server, add the mod to your servertest.ini. In the Mods line include RabbitHashKY, and in the Map line, prefix the vanilla map (Muldraugh, KY) with RabbitHashKY; as shown above. This ensures the server loads the Rabbit Hash cells alongside the base game map.

Now that you’re set up, let’s tour what Rabbit Hash has to offer in the apocalypse.

The Features of Rabbit Hash – Country Living, Zomboid Style

Despite Rabbit Hash’s real-life size, the mod creators packed a surprising amount of content into those two cells. It’s not a big city like Louisville – more of a rural waypoint – but it’s rich in character and loot. Here’s what you can expect to find:

• The General Store (Heart of Rabbit Hash): The crown jewel of Rabbit Hash is its iconic General Store, recreated with loving detail. In real life this old-timey store is the center of town (and one of the only buildings!). In-game, it serves as an excellent loot spot and base candidate. The modders even made a custom tile for the General Store’s sign, capturing its historic look. Inside, you’ll find shelves of miscellaneous goods – a little of everything, just like a true country store. Need tools, canned food, or a random spare part? This store likely has a “manner of goodies to help you out on your journey”. It’s a one-stop shop, and because Rabbit Hash is off the beaten path, you won’t have competition from hordes like you would at an urban mall. Be careful, though: one survivor noted there’s a locked back room behind a security fence – you’ll need a sledgehammer or some ingenuity to get past it. If you manage, who knows what prizes (or perils) await in the storeroom?

• The Big Farm and Farmhouse: Up on the outskirts is a “big fancy farm with several facilities”. This is a large farmstead complete with crop fields, barns, and a three-story farmhouse that players absolutely adore. It’s not just any farmhouse – it comes with a detached garage, a well, and even a private pond out back. One player raved about this large house with detached garage, calling it one of their favorite base locations ever. In gameplay terms, this farm is gold: you have fenced areas for farming, water from the well and pond (safe from the water shutoff), storage in the barn and garage, and multiple floors to retreat to if things get hairy. It’s secluded enough that you won’t get constant zombie pressure, yet it’s close to the main road for supply runs. If you ever dreamed of an idyllic farm life post-zombie-apocalypse, Rabbit Hash offers it.

• Rabbit Hash Police Station: That’s right – the tiny real village certainly doesn’t have its own police force, but the mod adds a Police Station to make Rabbit Hash viable for survivors. It’s a small-town police department, likely a single-story building, but it can equip you with guns, ammo, and police gear if you manage to clear it. One Redditor pointed out how perfect Rabbit Hash is as a base partly because it has “a police station as well” for weapon access. In practice, this means you don’t have to trek to West Point or Louisville just to arm up – you have a local source for firepower. Be warned that gunshots will attract zombies from the woods, so secure the perimeter before you go loud. Also, check the parking lot or garage for a police car; rural cops often have useful vehicles.

• Gas Station and Fuel Pumps: Just down the road, you’ll find a gas station (the mod description doesn’t explicitly list it, but players mention one). Having fuel readily available is a huge boon in PZ, especially in the countryside where you’ll be driving long distances. The Rabbit Hash gas station likely has a couple of pumps and a small convenience store. Stock up on gasoline early (before power shuts off), and you’ve got the means to keep generators and cars running. The convenience store part might hold snacks, maps, or magazines. If you’re roleplaying, this gas station feels authentic – the kind of roadside station where locals gossip and truckers stop for a cola, now eerily quiet except for the shamble of the undead by the ice cooler outside.

• Four-Wheeler Trails and Off-Road Paths: The mod creators included “lots of 4-wheeler trails to sneak between various POIs”. Indeed, Rabbit Hash’s map is crisscrossed with dirt paths winding through the forest. These off-road trails are a game-changer for navigation – they let you literally beat a path through the woods, connecting the farm, store, docks, and neighboring areas without always sticking to the highway. In gameplay, these trails are narrow but can fit a car (or better yet, an ATV if you have a vehicle mod). They’re great for evading hordes; zombies have a harder time following through dense trees, so you can use the trails to lose them or approach sites from less-exposed angles. One survivor recounted using these backwood routes to travel unseen: “sneaking between POIs” like a true country outlaw on a dirt road. Just be cautious driving at high speed – the woods are dark and full of deer… or things that go braaains in the night.

• River Docks and Boating Spots: Being right on the Ohio River, Rabbit Hash features several docks and boat ramps. There’s a marina feel to parts of the town – perhaps a couple of wooden piers jutting into the river and maybe a boathouse. The mod description highlights “a variety of docks & other infrastructure to support your boating habits”, which is a wink to players who use the Aquatsar Yacht Club mod (a popular mod that introduces drivable boats). If you have Aquatsar installed, Rabbit Hash becomes an excellent port of call. You could sail from Riverside up to Rabbit Hash, dock your boat, loot the town, and sail out – a relatively safe approach since zombies can’t swim. Even without boat mods, the docks add atmosphere and can be fishing spots. You’ll find fishing rods or tackle in sheds by the water, and you can almost imagine locals lounging by the dock pre-apocalypse. Now, it’s just you, the lap of water, and perhaps a zombie or two flopping into the river.

• Nature and Foraging Zones: The town might be small, but the surrounding nature is bountiful. The mod includes defined foraging zones in the area, meaning you can scour the bushes and forest for berries, mushrooms, medicinal herbs, and firewood with the game’s foraging system. The presence of a lot of wooded area is a double-edged sword: great for stealth and resources, but also easy to get ambushed if you’re not alert. Several players joked/complained that in Rabbit Hash “they’re in the goddamn trees!” – zombies, that is. The thick forests around the houses sometimes hide shambling dead that will surprise you. So when you’re foraging or taking a nature walk, keep your head on a swivel. At least the deer aren’t zombified (yet)! In short, Rabbit Hash offers a good balance of natural resources and man-made loot. You can fish in the river, trap small game in the woods, gather wild plants, and supplement it with canned goods from the store or gear from the police station.

• Scenery and Atmosphere: Perhaps more than any single loot drop or building, Rabbit Hash’s biggest feature is its vibe. It truly feels like a quiet river town. The mod’s slogan “a generally quiet river town” is apt – when you first arrive, you might only hear the rustling of leaves and the gentle river flow, a calm contrast to the urban cacophony of West Point or Louisville. The streets in Rabbit Hash are few and quaint: a “quaint main street lined with stores” as one map fan described (though with potholes and flickering lamplights now). There’s something cozy yet eerie about a rural settlement in Zomboid; you feel far from help, but also far from huge hordes. At dusk, the sun sets over the Ohio River and bathes the town in golden light – a beautiful sight if you’re safe on a rooftop with a cup of soup. By midnight, fog might roll off the water and cloak the barns and fields in mist, making every twig snap in the dark that much more unsettling. Rabbit Hash nails that “alone in the country” feeling that’s unique in the game.

All these features combined make Rabbit Hash much more than a one-building pit stop. It’s a microcosm of Knox Country – a little bit of everything, packed into an endearing package. No wonder players have flocked to it since its release. Let’s hear what the community has to say after spending some quality (and harrowing) time in Rabbit Hash.

Life (and Undeath) in Rabbit Hash: Community Reactions

The Project Zomboid community fell in love with Rabbit Hash, KY pretty quickly. Since its introduction, the mod has amassed over 100,000 unique visitors and hundreds of thousands of subscribers while it was available. It’s frequently recommended in discussions of the best map mods. But what exactly do survivors think of this tiny town? Let’s break down the reviews – the good, the bad, and the undead.

A Survivor’s Gem: Many players consider Rabbit Hash a hidden gem on the map. In a Reddit thread asking for favorite map mods, one player wrote: “Rabbit Hash is my gem of choice. It has an excellent aesthetic, some cool buildings, and occupies an otherwise uninteresting region of the map.” This sentiment is common – fans praise how Rabbit Hash transforms a formerly empty stretch of road into a memorable location. The aesthetic is often highlighted: the rustic charm, the believable layout, and the attention to detail (like that custom store sign and lovingly crafted farm) give Rabbit Hash a sense of place that stands out. It’s not just random buildings plopped down; it feels like a real small town that was alive before the Knox Event.

“Best Map Mod Ever!”: On the Steam Workshop page (before the mod was removed), you’ll find glowing comments. “This is probably my favourite map mod I’ve used,” raves one user, specifically loving “the large house with the detached garage.” They, like many others, are excited for updates to keep the mod working with new game versions. Another simply states, “this map absolutely slaps, the best one there is”. High praise indeed! With a five-star rating and thousands of favorites, Rabbit Hash was consistently at the top of community map rankings. One Indie Stone community wiki even listed Rabbit Hash as the #1 top map mod, noting how it recreates the real town with “a few little twists” and offers “quite a few new locations to explore despite how small…Rabbit Hash is”. When a mod is both authentic and packed with content, players notice.

Perfect (Secluded) Base: A recurring theme is that Rabbit Hash makes for an excellent base location. Players searching for the ideal safehouse often cite Rabbit Hash’s farmhouse or even the general store. As one survivor described, “rabbit hash seems perfect. It has a well, ice cooler, amazing 3 story house with garage and a pond. Secluded. Police station as well.” That laundry list of amenities could make a veteran player’s eyes sparkle – independent water source (well and pond), cold storage (fridge/cooler), a large defensible house, a garage (for vehicles or workshops), and even nearby law enforcement loot. Plus, its seclusion means you won’t be swarmed by zombies every time you hammer a nail. “Home sweet home,” another user cheerfully commented, clearly content with setting up camp in Rabbit Hash. Some have compared living there to having a private little compound by the river, away from the chaos – an apocalyptic country retreat.

Laid-Back Looting: In general, players find the difficulty in Rabbit Hash to be moderate and enjoyable. Several first-time players have actually chosen Rabbit Hash as their starting location (thinking it might be easier than spawning in the bigger towns). One such player said: “Just started playing PZ and I thought I’d spawn in Rabbit Hash to ease my way into the game.” They noted as pros: “relatively low zed population and lovely houses (of the three I’ve looted so far)”. Indeed, compared to West Point or Riverside, Rabbit Hash has far fewer zombies initially. You might run into small groups rather than gigantic hordes, which can make early-game more forgiving. This makes Rabbit Hash a popular recommendation for newcomers who want a gentler start without completely abandoning the Knox Country setting. The same player’s only gripe was that some of the houses had missing appliances (a sink in one, a fridge in another – perhaps an oversight in the map design). But they still concluded, “what I’ve explored of the map so far I have greatly enjoyed. Keep up the great work!”. Not a bad first impression!

They’re in the Trees!: That said, Rabbit Hash isn’t a total cakewalk. The relative quiet can be deceiving. As another survivor quipped, “Cons: They’re in the goddamn trees!” – zombies, that is. Several players have reported that zombies tend to lurk in the wooded areas around the town and can surprise you by emerging from the foliage. In a forested rural map, line-of-sight is limited; the undead can hear you or smell you and stumble through dense trees where you might not notice until they’re on you. One user on Steam found that out the hard way: “Way too many zombies. Had to kill over 100 on the first day… they’re literally all in the dense forest in between [buildings] and seem to see you through tons of trees to beeline right to you. Spawned here and I was perma-fighting as soon as I stepped out of my spawn.”. Yikes! It sounds like that player had an intense experience, maybe with higher zombie population settings. They also mentioned loot being scarce for food (to the point of eating rats to survive). This contrasts with others who felt loot was ample. The discrepancy could be due to different sandbox settings or pure luck. If you spawn during peak helicopter events or with population at max, even sleepy Rabbit Hash can become a nightmare. And some buildings in the mod may indeed have slim pickings intentionally – rural homes might not have stocked pantries like city kitchens. The mod creator even admitted he wasn’t sure if the loot balance was perfect, since he built many buildings on the fly and welcomed feedback.

Balanced or Loot Pinata? Interestingly, opinions differ on whether Rabbit Hash is too giving or too stingy with loot. While one person nearly starved initially, another commented: “Love the map but I feel like it has the same loot every time; I’m usually able to get everything needed to use until endgame just from this area alone. Other than food.”. This suggests that critical supplies (weapons, tools, gear) might be overly plentiful or predictable in Rabbit Hash, enabling a fully-kitted survivor early, whereas food remains the limiting factor (which makes sense; those farms and stores might have axes and ammo, but perishable food is scarce in a ghost town). So depending on playstyle, some see Rabbit Hash as a loot pinata to raid for gear, and others see it as a challenging start with limited sustenance. If you want a tougher time, you might adjust zombie spawn or loot rarity. But if you want to feel like you’ve “hit the country jackpot” on gear, Rabbit Hash can oblige – one YouTuber’s series episode was even titled “That’s a lot of Bread (and Guns)!” implying they found ample weapons in town (maybe at the police station or a hidden stash).

Community Seal of Approval: Across various platforms – Reddit, Steam, Discord – the verdict on Rabbit Hash is overwhelmingly positive. It’s frequently mentioned alongside other legendary map mods like Grapeseed, Raven Creek, Blackwood, and Eerie Country as a must-have for enriching the game world. But unlike some huge maps that add entire cities, Rabbit Hash stands out by doing more with less. It’s a small addition that has a big impact on the game’s feel, and players love that. The mod’s authors were even thanked by communities; one Steam user shouted out, “Thanks to all the folks over at IndifferentBroccoli for hosting the best PZ servers, you all are unsung heroes!” on a mod collection including Rabbit Hash, showing that dedicated servers run this map often due to its popularity.

Awaiting Updates: The only real complaints have been technical ones. With Project Zomboid’s updates (Build 41 to 41.78 to 42, etc.), map mods sometimes need tweaks. Rabbit Hash was last updated in mid-2022, and by late 2023 some users were anxious for a refresh for Build 42 (which introduces animals and other features). Haragon (the creator) reassured fans in May 2024: “Glad to see so many are still enjoying the map. I have not disappeared… Expect an update shortly after B42.”. They also mentioned plans to add the new livestock zones (so perhaps chickens or cows might one day roam Rabbit Hash’s farm). This excited folks even more – imagine the farm coming alive with actual animals in B42, making Rabbit Hash feel even more real. So, as of 2025, the community is eagerly awaiting the re-release or update of Rabbit Hash, KY for full compatibility. Given its popularity, it’s almost certain to return (if it hasn’t by the time you read this). The minor bugs reported (like duplicated wardrobes in a house) are expected to be fixed, and maybe some zombie spawn or loot balance will be tuned. If anything, the temporary absence has only made hearts grow fonder for this mod.

In summary, the community consensus is: Rabbit Hash, KY is a winner. It hits that sweet spot of novelty and familiarity – a unique setting that still feels like it belongs in Zomboid’s world. Whether you’re a builder, a looter, a roleplayer, or a new player, there’s something in Rabbit Hash for you. And that’s evident in the stories people tell after visiting. Speaking of stories, let’s explore a few tales from survivors who braved this little town…

War Stories and Adventures in Rabbit Hash

One measure of a great game location is the stories it generates. Rabbit Hash might be a sleepy hollow, but it’s been the stage for some unforgettable survivor escapades. From YouTube series to roleplay servers, players have made Rabbit Hash the setting of their own zombie sagas. Here are a few standout examples:

The “Massacre at Rabbit Hash”: Content creator DerAva took a trip to Rabbit Hash in his Project Zomboid: You Only Loot Once challenge series, and things went sideways fast. In an episode literally titled “Massacre at Rabbit Hash,” DerAva finds the town not so quiet after all. In this YOLO (You Only Loot Once) run, he had a rule not to re-loot towns after leaving, meaning each visit is do-or-die for gathering supplies. By the time he hit Rabbit Hash (episode 70 of the series), zombies had overrun the area. The video shows DerAva trying to systematically clear the town – pulling small groups of zombies, dispatching them with a crowbar and shotgun, and moving from building to building. But Rabbit Hash’s dense trees and winding trails prove challenging; zombies keep sneaking up behind fences and out of the woods. At one point, a helicopter event triggers (just his luck!), drawing waves of undead from the forest into Rabbit Hash exactly while he’s in the middle of looting the General Store. The “massacre” that ensues is no joke: DerAva ends up fighting for his life in a classic Alamo stand inside the store, using shelves as partial cover. Dozens of zombies later, Rabbit Hash is littered with corpses – truly living up to the episode name. It’s a testament that this quaint town can host absolute carnage if circumstances align. Viewers loved the drama, and it highlighted how Rabbit Hash can shift from calm to deadly in a heartbeat with Zomboid’s random events. (In the end, DerAva survives by the skin of his teeth and drives off, vowing to return better prepared – proving Rabbit Hash shouldn’t be underestimated.)

“Rabbit Hash is a Nice Place” – until it isn’t: On the flip side, YouTuber Duckie0012 started a series in Rabbit Hash with the optimistic title “Rabbit Hash is a Nice Place.” In Episode 1, he spawns in the area as a fresh survivor. The early game shows off the peaceful side of the town – he carefully sneaks around, admiring the lovely farmhouse and looting tools from the garage. For a while, it really does seem nice: he encounters only a handful of zombies on day one and easily dispatches them with a frying pan. He even remarks on how quiet it is compared to his usual spawn in West Point. Across subsequent episodes, Duckie fortifies the farmhouse, sets up rain collectors (despite having a well – can never be too safe with water), and uses the trails to scout around. In Episode 2, titled “That’s a lot of Bread (and Guns)!”, he hits the general store and police station, coming out loaded with supplies and a shotgun – grinning at his fortune. All seems idyllic for our intrepid survivor. However, by Episode 4 or 5, the reality of the zombie apocalypse kicks in. A wandering horde from the highway eventually stumbles into Rabbit Hash. Duckie0012’s safe haven is tested as dozens of zombies spread through the farm fields. In a tense gameplay segment, he retreats to the second floor of the big house, sniping zombies from a window and using sheet ropes to escape when they flood inside. The series, while highlighting Rabbit Hash’s advantages, shows that no place is 100% safe without vigilance. By Episode 7 (“Exploring the last bit of Rabbit Hash”), after quelling the horde, Duckie ventures out to clear the “last unexplored corner of town” – likely some sheds by the river he hadn’t looted. A helicopter event passes quietly during that time (maybe he timed it to hide indoors), and he finally declares the town secure. The contrast from a “nice place” to a defensive stand underscores Zomboid’s core theme: every calm is just the prelude to another storm. Still, thanks to Rabbit Hash’s small size, Duckie was able to reclaim it and truly live there long-term, which many viewers found appealing. Not every location in PZ lets you realistically clear and secure it for the long haul – Rabbit Hash might, with effort.

Multiplayer Roleplay – Starting Life in Rabbit Hash: The charm of Rabbit Hash hasn’t been lost on the roleplay community. On some multiplayer RP servers, players use Rabbit Hash as a starting zone for storytelling. For instance, the KNOX RP community (a medium-sized roleplay server) ran a scenario where the apocalypse hadn’t started yet, and players lived normal lives in various towns – Rabbit Hash included – before all hell broke loose. One user described it: “It’s centered around a custom version of West Point and has some modded map parts/towns like Rabbit Hash. It starts before the apocalypse and after a few IRL months… transitions into the apocalypse.”. In these events, Rabbit Hash might be home to a few roleplayed characters (maybe a storekeep, a farmer, the “mayor” dog for fun). Players act out slice-of-life scenes in the quiet town: tending the farm, holding community potlucks at the general store, fishing by the docks – basically Star Trek holodeck’s “Our Town”, until the zombies spawn. When the outbreak finally happens (often coordinated by admins via spawned zombies and triggered meta-noises), Rabbit Hash transforms into a survival drama set. Imagine an RP character who’s been the local mechanic suddenly having to fend off his former neighbors turned zombies in the garage he worked at, or a storyline where the group of Rabbit Hash survivors has to decide whether to flee to the cities for help or fortify their isolated town. The server reported an “epic transition into the apocalypse” in which no doubt Rabbit Hash went from Mayberry to Night of the Living Dead scenario. These kinds of RP events show how valuable a map like Rabbit Hash is – it provides a believable, contained stage for both pre-apocalypse life and the survival horror after. And because it’s a smaller map, it focuses player interactions; everyone in town knows each other. Some servers even declared a player as the “dog mayor” as a fun roleplay gimmick (with someone presumably speaking for the dog mayor on the radio, etc.). It’s all about that emergent storytelling.

“Living in a Van Down by the River”: Not everyone uses Rabbit Hash as a fortress; some use it as a scenic backdrop for nomadic runs. A notable example is a run documented in a video titled “Days 6–11: Living in a Van Down by the River”. In this playthrough, the survivor modded in an RV (using RV Interior mod) and parked right in Rabbit Hash by the riverside. They also had the Aquatsar boat mod loaded, meaning they could fish and even boat around. For several in-game days, they literally lived out of the van at the Rabbit Hash docks – channeling that Chris Farley SNL sketch vibe. They’d drive the van a short way into town to loot, then retreat to camp at the water’s edge each night, starting a little campfire by the van. The presence of Rabbit Hash made this playstyle more viable because it provided a safe-ish, out-of-the-way area to park and rest, with just enough buildings to loot to sustain. The title of the video run is a humorous nod, but the strategy was solid: by not committing to a fixed base, they could bail if a huge horde came, yet Rabbit Hash’s low population let them actually survive in the vehicle. In the video, at one point a sizable group did migrate over (possibly chasing the noise of the van’s engine). The player used the van’s mobility to lure the horde out of town, honking and leading them along the main road, then speeding around through the trails back to the riverside. Essentially, Rabbit Hash served as a sandbox for creative survival tactics like this – a place where you can try unconventional living arrangements (like #vanlife, #boatlife) with manageable risk. It’s hard to do that in the dense streets of West Point or the sprawling ‘copter-bait that is Louisville.

Screenshots and Memories: Beyond videos and RP, Rabbit Hash has sparked casual sharing too. Players post screenshots of their cozy farm bases or bloody battles in the town. One user shared an image captioned “Took a rest in Rabbit Hash, man I love my axes.” showing their character lounging on the farmhouse porch, two bloodied axes on the ground and a pile of zombie bodies in the yard – clearly a victorious moment after a hard fight. Others have posted that moment when they first see the General Store sign or when they hotwire a pickup truck at the gas station and feel on top of the world. These little stories, whether shared in long-form or a single image, weave the legend of Rabbit Hash as more than just a map mod. It’s become part of the Project Zomboid player culture.

All these examples illustrate the versatility of Rabbit Hash, KY. It can be a quiet starting haven, a mid-game supply stop, a centerpiece of a narrative, or a death trap if you’re overconfident. The key is that it’s memorable. Months or years later, players will remember that farmhouse standoff or that time they nearly lost it all in a Rabbit Hash barn. In a game about making your own story, having a locale that inspires so many is invaluable.

Now, how did the creators pull this off, and what have they done behind the scenes to bring Rabbit Hash to life? Let’s take a peek under the hood of the mod.

Behind the Scenes: Crafting Rabbit Hash for Project Zomboid

Creating a map mod for Project Zomboid is no small feat – it requires mapping tools, artistic skill, and a lot of testing. For Rabbit Hash, it was a passion project by Haragon and doist, who dubbed their mapping venture DURST Mapping (as noted by their Discord name drop). Here’s how they constructed this slice of Kentucky in-game and some technical insights:

Fitting a Real Town into Knox Country: The first challenge was deciding where and how to place Rabbit Hash on the existing Knox map. PZ’s world is divided into coordinate cells of 300x300 tiles each. Haragon chose cells 30x24 and 31x24 for Rabbit Hash, which are along the river between Riverside and West Point. In the base game, those cells are largely empty forest and fields – ideal for adding new content without replacing vanilla towns. However, Rabbit Hash in real life is actually in Boone County, KY, which is far north of Knox County (closer to Louisville). The modders relocated it fictionally, essentially saying “what if Rabbit Hash was further down the Ohio River, nearer to our playable area.” They mention the town “now finds itself a fair ways down the river from its former home”. This creative geography is common in map mods: Grapeseed (another map) does similar, inventing a town where there wasn’t one. By doing this, they ensured the map would integrate smoothly – you can walk or drive along the river road straight into Rabbit Hash with no immersion break.

Using Map Tools: To build the map, the modders would have used WorldEd and TileZed, the official mapping tools for Project Zomboid. These allow creators to design terrain, roads, and place buildings. They likely obtained heightmap data or handcrafted the riverbank terrain to match the real Rabbit Hash’s gentle slope to the water. Roads in PZ have to align grid-wise; the trail and road network in Rabbit Hash mod was carefully aligned to connect to the highway on the west and the rural roads on the east of its cells. The fact that Buffalo Hill (another mod) and North Peak both list conflicts with Rabbit Hash’s cells means multiple mappers eyed that area – but Rabbit Hash’s layout “plays nice” with those neighboring mods if loaded correctly. Under the hood, each building was either custom-made or borrowed from a community repository of premade buildings. Haragon noted “I built a majority of the buildings as I went”, meaning he was designing structures on the fly while making the map. This is impressive – many map mods reuse buildings, but building as you go lets you tailor each one to the location (hence the uniqueness of that big farmhouse, etc.).

Vanilla Tiles and Custom Sign: The artists behind Rabbit Hash used an almost all-vanilla palette of tiles (the textures that make up floors, walls, objects) to ensure compatibility. This is why, unlike some mods that require external tile packs (and can break if those aren’t updated), Rabbit Hash stays stable through game updates. The only custom graphic was the General Store sign, which they specifically mention with pride. Likely, they created a tile that looks like the real Rabbit Hash General Store’s hanging sign or front facade text. This extra mile in detail is what gives the map its charm. Technically, adding a custom tile means editing some definitions and packaging a new tiles.pack with the mod – which they did, and it evidently didn’t cause issues (no one’s complaining about pink tiles or missing sprites, which is a good sign they did it right). It also opens the door for them to add more custom art in future (maybe a “Welcome to Rabbit Hash” road sign or unique clutter).

Spawn Points and Region Data: To let players start in Rabbit Hash, the mod defines spawn points for various character occupations within the map. So if you select “Police Officer” and spawn in Rabbit Hash, you might spawn inside the police station, whereas a “Construction Worker” might spawn at the large house construction site (just hypotheticals). The mod likely also integrates with PZ’s in-game map system by providing a WorldMap XML data so that the drawn map of Rabbit Hash appears. One commenter noted an issue where the map would sometimes not show, but that’s a known glitch if multiple maps conflict. Generally, the in-game map works – you can even find a physical Map Item for Rabbit Hash if the modder placed one (not confirmed, but some mods put a map in a vehicle or counter in town). If not, unveiling it on the M key as you explore is fine.

Foraging and Vehicles: The creators didn’t neglect the little things. They marked out foraging zones (so the game knows what loot tables to use in each area – e.g. berries in the forest, medicinal plants near fields, etc.). They also added vehicle zones, including special ones: “modded ‘military’ vehicle spawn zones”. That line is interesting – it implies they placed some zones designated for “military” vehicles to appear. Normally, in base game, military vehicles (like jeeps or supply trucks) aren’t common. But if you have vehicle mods like Filibuster Rhymes’ Used Cars or others that add military trucks, those mods often look for spawn zones of type “Army” or “Military”. By adding such zones in Rabbit Hash, the creators ensured compatibility – so you might find an army jeep wreck on a trail or a National Guard truck by the police station if using those mods. If you don’t have any vehicle mods, these zones probably just spawn normal cars (or nothing), so it doesn’t hurt. That’s smart cross-mod thinking to appeal to players with huge mod lists.

Zombies and Balance Decisions: The devs had to decide how many zombies to allocate to Rabbit Hash in the spawn map. Given some players find it low and others high, the baseline is probably medium-low (with population multipliers doing the rest). Rural towns usually have fewer zombies in PZ’s default settings. They might have manually placed “ZombieZone” triggers in certain buildings – e.g., to ensure a group in the general store or around the gas station. Comments suggest that maybe the woods were not given special treatment, so the game’s default might clump a lot in forests by RNG. Haragon listened to feedback: someone pointed out “car wrecks” were maybe too many cluttering the roads, and he responded he’ll “probably cut [those] down a hair in the next update.”. This shows the balancing act: too many wrecks can impede driving; too few and it feels unrealistic. They erred on side of detail (lots of derelict vehicles on the main street perhaps), but are open to tuning.

Bugs and Quirks: As with any first mod project, Rabbit Hash had a couple of quirks. The missing sink/fridge in some houses a player flagged might have been an oversight – maybe the house was copied and tweaked and accidentally a kitchen spawn was incomplete. Another bug reported was a “duplicated wardrobe underneath wardrobes” in some homes – likely a mapping quirk where two furniture pieces overlapped. Minor stuff, fixable in an update. No showstopper bugs like invisible walls or glitched zones have been reported, which is a credit to the thorough testing done. The authors mentioned “expect semi-frequent updates early on as I finish refining & polishing the map after some play-testing.” And indeed, in the first days of release (June 2022) they put out a few patches (the Workshop change notes show 3 updates within two days). After that it stabilized, and no major issues came up aside from those compatibility and balance notes.

Compatibility Considerations: By now we know Rabbit Hash conflicts with any mod using the same cells. The author confirmed conflict with North Peak (an expansion map north of West Point) – but since North Peak didn’t use that specific cell content, loading order resolves it. Later, mods like Buffalo Hill also claimed those cells, making them fundamentally incompatible (you’d have two towns on top of each other). The community has made maps of map mods – essentially a community-drawn grid showing which mod occupies which cell. Rabbit Hash occupies a unique slot that only a handful of mods touch, so it’s easy to incorporate if you avoid those few overlaps. If you try to load two overlapping maps, one will “win” depending on load order, and the other will have missing chunks or weird seams. So, server owners and single players alike often curate their mod collection to exclude direct overlaps. Rabbit Hash’s popularity is such that some folks will drop another mod in favor of keeping Rabbit Hash in their world. After all, you can’t give up the home of the dog mayor that easily!

Future Plans: With Build 42, new features like animals, basements, and more are coming. Haragon has hinted at adding livestock to Rabbit Hash’s farm (meaning chickens in the coop, cows or goats in the barn). That will make the farm even more amazing – imagine hearing the cluck of chickens in that big red barn while zombies groan outside. If basements become a thing, maybe the general store or one of the houses could get a root cellar as an update. The mod is a solid foundation that can evolve with the game. Many are also hoping for a possible expansion – could we see Rabbit Hash’s “neighboring town” added someday? In real Kentucky, Burlington or Big Bone Lick (yes, that’s a place) are around Rabbit Hash; but within Knox Event lore, the modders might fabricate a small “county” around it. Even if they don’t, Rabbit Hash is quite complete on its own.

Developer Engagement: It’s worth noting how positive and engaged the mod creators have been. Haragon often replied to comments with help (e.g., advising load order fixes). This kind of support means the mod has stayed user-friendly. The shoutouts to their Discord suggest they have a place for feedback and perhaps to showcase user stories. The mod description encourages showing support if you like the map and even provides a link to their Discord where presumably other mappers collaborate. This kind of community building around a mod helps it thrive. We might see more maps from DURST Mapping in the future thanks to the confidence and experience gained from Rabbit Hash’s success.

In essence, the creation of Rabbit Hash, KY for Project Zomboid is a case study in thoughtful mod design. The modders picked a unique concept (tiny famous town), placed it smartly, built it with stability in mind, and listened to player feedback. They blended real-world inspiration with game-world needs masterfully – giving us a map that feels organic and fun. As players, understanding this background can deepen our appreciation; when you notice the little details like a custom sign or a perfectly placed trail, that’s the handiwork of someone who really cared about this project.

Surviving (and Thriving) in Rabbit Hash

So you’ve installed the mod, rolled up a character, and find yourself standing on the quiet road into Rabbit Hash. How should you approach surviving in this pastoral paradise-turned-deathtrap? Here are some tips and tricks tailored for Rabbit Hash, KY:

• Secure the General Store First: The Rabbit Hash General Store is not only a landmark – it’s a loot goldmine and a strategic hold. Clearing it should be a priority on day one. During early game, zombies around the store are few; use that to your advantage. Take out the ones on the porch quietly (a hammer or hand-axe works wonders). Inside, loot the essentials: non-perishable food, a hiking bag if you’re lucky, and any tools. The store often has random hardware (maybe a hammer, nails) and sometimes a gun behind the counter. It’s two stories, so consider clearing the upper floor and maybe setting up a temporary safehouse there. There’s likely a secondary exit (maybe a window onto a roof) which can be a lifesaver if a horde surprises you. One caution: the back room with the fence might hold extra goodies (if you can breach it), but don’t get tunnel vision – if you can’t get in safely, leave it for later. Analogy: Think of the General Store like the cornerstone of Rabbit Hash – securing it is like securing the town’s “food and tool supply” in one go.

• Claim the Farmhouse as a Base: If you plan to stay long-term, the large farmhouse at the edge of Rabbit Hash is unbeatable for a base. It’s a bit away from the main road, reducing random zombie traffic. Start by clearing the house and the yard. There’s a lot of ground to cover (check behind the barn, in the corn fields, etc., for lurkers). Once clear, you have multiple buildings to utilize: use the house for living (sleeping, cooking), the detached garage for storing vehicles or heavy machinery, and the barn for farming supplies and maybe livestock in future builds. There’s a well on site – mark its location and keep it secure; it’s your infinite water. The pond can be used for fishing (and water if boiled). Surrounding fences and treelines can act as natural barriers. Some players even fortify further by building extra walls or digging furrows (if using a mod like digging). When you go looting elsewhere, try to bring back a generator and hook it up to restore power to the farmhouse/freezer – the gas station in Rabbit Hash provides fuel, making this viable for the long haul. Tip: Set up rain collector barrels even if you have a well, for redundancy. And use the upstairs of the farmhouse for storage of valuables and a last stand point (it has good sightlines from windows). Many survivors have turned this farm into a fortress and survived months – you can too.

• Use the Trails for Stealth Travel: The web of four-wheeler trails in Rabbit Hash is your friend. Memorize them. There’s one that leads from behind the farm through the woods to the river docks, another branching toward the gas station and one toward the police station. When you want to avoid the main road (say there’s a horde coming through), take the back trails. They’re also useful for stealth approaches: for example, if a bunch of zombies are roaming around the gas station on the main road, you can approach from the woods behind via a trail and catch them from an unexpected angle. If you later get a vehicle, consider keeping a light off-road capable car or even a bicycle (if you have a mod for bikes) stashed at the farm to zip around on these paths. Note: during winter, these trails can be covered by snow and a bit harder to see – maybe place wooden signs or dropped items at junctions as breadcrumbs. Also beware of fallen trees or wrecks on trails (if the mod placed any); always scout on foot before barreling through with a car.

• Watch the Tree Line: We’ve echoed player warnings before, but it bears repeating: the thick forests around Rabbit Hash hide danger. It’s easy to get comfortable seeing the open fields and forgetting the wall of trees could have a dozen zombies just out of sight. Whenever you’re doing chores outside (chopping wood, farming, fishing by the river), periodically do a perimeter sweep. Shouting once can flush out any that are very close (though it may attract others, so use with caution). At night, avoid the woods entirely unless you have a flashlight and absolutely have to traverse – it’s pitch black under the canopy. Some survivors set up rope lines between key locations (house to barn, etc.) or place torches (with the camping kit) to create light and reference points. Treat the tree line like the edge of your safe zone. If you hear a single twig snap or rustle from that direction, assume it’s a zombie and investigate in daylight.

• Leverage the River: The Ohio River isn’t just scenery – use it to your advantage. If you have a boat (via Aquatsar Yacht Club mod), Rabbit Hash becomes a port. You can fish from the docks regardless, which is an infinite food source. Build a fishing rod or traps, and you can feed yourself indefinitely on fish (especially in summer when yields are high). The river also acts as a barrier – zombies won’t cross it. So one strategy is to clear everything west of the main road, essentially pushing any remaining zombies east across the bridge or into the forest, leaving the river at your back as a natural defense. If things go really south, you can even flee into the river – either swim (risky if you can’t see where to get out, and hypothermia is a concern) or wade along the shore to escape pursuit. There’s also a bit of humor to be had: some players roleplay a “Tom Sawyer” lifestyle, drifting down the river on a makeshift raft (if using a raft mod) and Rabbit Hash is like their calm river haven stop. If you ever get overwhelmed, remember you have an open escape route: hop in a car, drive to the docks, hop in a boat and sail off, leaving the horde behind on the shore.

• Pick Your Battles with Zombies: In Rabbit Hash, the zombie population can be deceiving. You might kill 10 and think you’re done, only for another 30 to wander in later from the woods or highway. Early on, try to eliminate all zombies within the town’s immediate area (the cluster around each building). After that, don’t actively seek out every zombie in the surrounding forest – it’s impractical. Instead, set up noise-based lures to manage them. For instance, if you find an extra house alarm or a car with a siren, you could trigger it on the far side of town to draw zombies out of the woods and then either avoid them or pick them off in a more open spot. Firearms can also be used deliberately: some players do a strategy where they fire a shotgun once on one side of Rabbit Hash, then quietly loop around to the other side. The gunshot pulls stragglers out, leaving the opposite side safer for a while. Be careful doing this too often; you don’t want to invite hordes from outside the map (like from Riverside). But the nearest major population is still a good distance, so a few controlled bangs won’t bring the entire county on you.

• Utilize Local Resources First: Save yourself runs to big towns by exhausting Rabbit Hash’s supplies. Need carpentry XP? There are plenty of picnic tables, fences, and old furniture in Rabbit Hash to dismantle for planks and nails. The environment also has logs aplenty for a carpentry boost – just chop some trees at the edge of town (and use the saw from the hardware shelf in the general store). For metalworking, the junkyard edge by the gas station or broken cars can be disassembled. Hunting is great here too: lots of wild animals spawn in rural cells, so set traps for rabbits (ironically, Rabbit Hash might feed you rabbit stew), place bird traps on rooftops, etc. By living off the land in Rabbit Hash, you minimize risky excursions. Over time you can make the town self-sufficient: rain collectors, gardens, and maybe livestock if B42 is active. Essentially, treat Rabbit Hash as your homestead – many have done so effectively.

• Be Cautious with Visitors (NPCs or Multiplayer): If you play with survivor NPC mods or in MP, Rabbit Hash might attract other survivors or players. NPCs could attempt to path through or even set up in town due to its resources. Be mindful that they could lead zombies to you or steal from “your” store. In MP, Rabbit Hash can be a hotspot if players know it – some might want that sweet farm base you’ve got. Secure your safehouse (claim it if the server allows) and consider keeping a low profile (e.g., don’t leave generators running loudly or fires burning visibly at night). In a way, Rabbit Hash is so nice that you might have competition. A little PvP or NPC drama could unfold, like bandits stumbling on your compound. In singleplayer, this is moot unless using mods like Super Survivors. But in any case, always have an evacuation plan. Perhaps keep a secondary stash (some guns and food) in a cache in the woods or even on a boat, so if you ever get driven out of your base, you can fall back on that and not start from zero.

With these tips, surviving in Rabbit Hash can be a rewarding experience. You have the tools to turn this quiet town into your personal stronghold. Many players report surviving months or even a year here, constructing elaborate farms and workshops, only venturing out to trade with NPCs or gather exotic loot like electronics. Rabbit Hash is the kind of place that you grow attached to – you’ll defend it fiercely when the time comes. Just remember, complacency kills in Zomboid. Enjoy the peace of country life, but never fully let your guard down.

Wrap-Up: Rabbit Hash in a Nutshell (and Useful Links)

Rabbit Hash, KY is more than just a dot on Project Zomboid’s map – it’s a community-created experience. By injecting a real-world locale with heart and history into the game, modders Haragon and doist gave us a playground that’s equal parts cozy and challenging. To recap the highlights and some actionable takeaways:

• Small Town, Big Appeal: This mod recreates a tiny Kentucky river town (famed for its general store and dog mayor) within Knox County, filling a once-empty region with life (and undeath). It strikes a balance between authenticity and gameplay needs – expect a quiet, rural atmosphere packed with loot and locations that feel organic.

• Key Features to Exploit: An iconic general store stocked with supplies, a fully equipped farmhouse (with well, pond, and space to farm) perfect for base-building, a police station for weaponry, a gas station for fuel, and scenic docks for fishing or boat access. Plus, lots of ATV trails linking it all up for stealthy movement. In short, all the amenities a survivor could want – if you clear out the dead.

• Community Love: Rabbit Hash has garnered a cult following among PZ players. It’s often rated among the top map mods for its aesthetic and utility. Players have made it their home base, citing its seclusion and resources as ideal. Some call it their “favorite map mod” outright. It elevates gameplay by adding a new narrative-rich location – the kind of place you swap stories about on Reddit (“remember when my buddy and I nearly bought it defending the Rabbit Hash general store…”).

• Challenges to Mind: Don’t let the pastoral vibe fool you – zombies lurk in the woods and can swarm unexpectedly. Resource-wise, you might find plenty of gear but still need to secure food sources. The mod is balanced overall, but difficulty can swing with your settings. Use the terrain to your advantage and secure that farm early to thrive long-term.

• Technical Notes: The mod is lightweight (~3.5 MB) and was built with vanilla assets (no extra dependencies). It occupies cells 30×24 and 31×24. It’s currently (as of mid-2025) awaiting an update for Build 42, including new animal spawns at the farm. Keep an eye on the Workshop page for its return – the authors have promised continued support. In the meantime, the PZ Fans Interactive Map is a great way to explore Rabbit Hash from your browser – use it to plan your safehouse or see loot maps.

• Mod Compatibility: Rabbit Hash plays well with most other map mods, but avoid those using the same cells (e.g., North Peak – which can be co-loaded by prioritizing Rabbit Hash – or Buffalo Hill which conflicts entirely). Check community-made compatibility lists or use tools to visualize mod maps. Generally, load order can resolve minor overlaps.

• Where to Download/Info: You can find Rabbit Hash, KY on the Steam Workshop (search for “Rabbit Hash, KY” by Haragon). Once it’s back up post-update, subscribing there is the easiest way to get it. For now, if it’s unavailable, you might find it on mod hosting sites like PZ Mods or Skymods (use at your own discretion and scan files). The DURST Mapping Discord (linked on the Workshop page) is a place to ask questions, get news on updates, or show appreciation to the creators.

• Further Reading/Watching: If you’re interested in seeing Rabbit Hash in action, check out gameplay videos by community members:

• DerAva’s “Massacre at Rabbit Hash” on YouTube – a high-octane loot run gone wrong, great for seeing the map under pressure.

• Duckie0012’s Rabbit Hash series – demonstrates establishing a base and surviving week-to-week in the town, more chill and instructional.

• Various forum posts and Reddit threads (search “Rabbit Hash PZ”) with player experiences and screenshots. They can provide tips or just entertaining anecdotes (like the van down by the river story).

• If you enjoy Rabbit Hash, you might also like other fan-made Kentucky towns: Grapeseed, Blackwood, Ed’s Auto Salvage, Fort Redstone, etc., which similarly enrich the PZ world. But fair warning – once you’ve gotten used to life in Rabbit Hash, you might not want to live anywhere else!

In closing, Rabbit Hash, KY exemplifies what makes the Project Zomboid modding community so special. It’s a mod born out of local flavor and fan dedication, now immortalized in a game about surviving the end of the world. The idea of scavenging the Rabbit Hash General Store for ammo or farming tomatoes under the watch of a dog mayor’s portrait (I like to imagine one hangs in the town, even if just in my head-canon) is exactly the kind of quirky emergent story that keeps PZ players hooked for thousands of hours. So, if you haven’t visited this little riverside town yet, do yourself a favor: pack your shotgun, cue up some bluegrass on the radio, and hit the road. Rabbit Hash is waiting to write a new chapter in your zombie survival story – and trust us, you won’t regret hopping over for a visit.