Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has loads of lovely rivers in it, but there's one big problem – because there are no bridges (at least not at the start of the game), you can't cross them without the proper gear.

That gear is the Vaulting Pole, which is an item you'll want to get your grubby hands on as soon as possible.

As with the main tools including the axe, shovel and ladder, the Vaulting Pole is an item you have to create yourself using the game's crafting system, and here's how you do it.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons How To Get The Vaulting Pole

Like other craftable items in New Horizons, you'll need the recipe before you can actually make a Vaulting Pole. To get this, you'll need to speak to Blathers, who won't appear until you kick off the process of building the island's Museum.

Once the museum is constructed, speak to Blathers and he will give you the Vaulting Pole recipe – the reason being that he wants you to collect fossils for his collection.

With the Vaulting Pole recipe in hand, you can now go about actually making one. To do this, you need to collect 5 pieces of softwood from around the island.

Once you've collected all of that, visit a crafting bench and you'll have the option of making a Vaulting Pole of your very own. Congratulations! You can now cross rivers with ease, and in style!


This article is part of our Animal Crossing: New Horizons walkthrough, which includes a Complete Fish List, Complete Bug List and Complete Sea Creatures List. If you're looking for specific fish or bugs, we can tell you how to catch the elusive Coelacanth, Mahi-Mahi, Giant Trevally, Stringfish, Golden Trout and all the Sharks and Beetles, along with a full list of critters leaving at the end of the month (unless you visit Kapp'n's Boat Tour islands, of course!).

We can also help with How to Spot Redd's Fake Paintings and Statues, How to Make Bells Fast, How to Breed Flowers, How to Get more DIY Recipes, How to Upgrade Nook's Cranny, where and when to find special characters like Gulliver, Sable, Label, Wisp, Celeste, Pirate Gulliver and Jack, plus tips on using the Star Wand, Tool Ring, Rock Trick, Cutting Down and Moving Trees, using amiibo on Harv's Island, How to Back Up Your Island Data, How to Time Travel, How to Get a 5-Star Island Rating and a whole lot more.

If it's new content you're looking for help with, we can help you find gyroids, unlock Brewster's café, use the new Pro Camera App for selfies, enact new ordinances, get the beloved Froggy Chair, and even learn How to Cook.

And finally, Where to Buy Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch, if for some reason you haven't yet picked up the game, and How To Buy The Happy Home Paradise DLC, too!