Animal Crossing New Horizons: How to Get a Ladder

Some of your island will be obstructed by cliffs and high-up areas. Here's how to get a ladder to climb them.

Guide by Jake Green, Guides Editor

Updated on 25 March 2021

When starting out on your Animal Crossing New Horizons island you won't be able to access all areas. Some will be hidden away at the top of high ledges and cliffs, and you won't be able to get up there without a ladder. We'll show you how to reach the cliffs and high-up areas on your island by teaching you how to get a ladder.

On this page:

How to Get a Ladder in Animal Crossing New Horizons
How to Get the Ladder Recipe
How to Build a Ladder
What Can You Find on Your Island's Cliffs?

How to Get a Ladder in Animal Crossing New Horizons

To To get a ladder in Animal Crossing, you will first need to get the recipe. We go into more info on this below, but once you have one just equip the ladder and head to a cliff on your island. Press A and your character will climb up. You'll need to do the same to climb down too.

How to Get the Ladder Recipe

You won't be able to build a ladder until you get the DIY recipe from Tom Nook. This occurs after you've invited three characters to your island to live there. You can read more on inviting new islanders here. Once all three have been invited you'll be asked to build three houses along with furnishings. One of the items you need to make is a wreath, meaning you'll need to reach the flowers growing up on the cliff edges. Tom Nook will send you a recipe for a ladder at this point.

Tom Nook will send you the recipe you need | *Jake Green/USG*

How to Build a Ladder

Once you have the ladder recipe you'll need to gather 4 Wood, 4 Hardwood and 4 Softwood. For more on collecting different types of wood head here. Head to a crafting bench and then craft a ladder.

Here's what you'll need | *Jake Green/USG*

What Can You Find on Your Island's Cliffs?

The clifftop areas of your island are home to new flora and fauna. You'll find wildflowers growing there, which will attract new bugs like mantises and bees. You'll find Fossils and buried Bells too.

There's plenty more on Animal Crossing to be found right here on USG. Be sure to head here for Caty's thoughts on the latest game. For a breakdown of the new clothing option you can read Mat's writeup.