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The Long Dark Save File Location

Here's exactly where The Long Dark stores your survival saves on PC, how to open the folder, and how to back it up.

Save file locations

Windows (Steam)
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Hinterland\TheLongDark

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\Hinterland\TheLongDark . Save slots are the files inside; keep the whole folder together.

Windows (Microsoft Store)
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\27620HinterlandStudio...\

The Store build stores saves in a Packages sub-folder named for Hinterland Studio — browse into it via AppData\Local\Packages.

Cloud saves

The Long Dark uses Steam Cloud on Steam. Let the cloud sync finish before copying or restoring a save so a later sync doesn't overwrite your backup.

How to open the save folder

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run box.
  2. Paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\Hinterland\TheLongDark and press Enter.
  3. Copy the whole folder somewhere safe before editing or moving PCs.

Save problems & fixes

The Long Dark save is missing after an update

Confirm Steam Cloud finished downloading before you launched; if the folder is empty, restart Steam so it pulls the latest save.

The Long Dark run won't load / corrupt

Restore your backup copy of the TheLongDark folder, then verify integrity of game files on Steam (right-click → Properties → Installed Files).

FAQ

Where is The Long Dark save file on PC?

On Steam it's at C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\Hinterland\TheLongDark. Paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\Hinterland\TheLongDark into the Run box to open it.

Where are The Long Dark saves on Microsoft Store?

Under C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\Packages in a folder named for Hinterland Studio.

How do I back up a The Long Dark save?

Copy the TheLongDark folder from AppData\Local\Hinterland to a safe place. Let Steam Cloud finish syncing first.

Other games

Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.