In Project Zomboid, building a base isn’t just about having four walls and a door—it’s about choosing the spot where you'll make your last stand. It's where you'll store every can of beans you scavenge, where you sleep with one ear tuned for window glass cracking, and where you craft your own version of security in a world that doesn’t offer much of it. The game doesn't forgive poor planning, and the wrong location could spell your end quicker than a mistimed swing of a crowbar.
With that in mind, we've expanded this guide to highlight the most strategically sound, player-favored base locations scattered across Knox County. These aren’t just “nice spots”—they’re time-tested, risk-balanced, and ripe for smart survivors to claim.
Riverside – Suburbia with Strategic Edges
Riverside sits comfortably on the map's western edge. It’s quieter than most towns, and that peace is gold early on. Less foot traffic from the undead means you have more time to plan, scout, and fortify. Look for fenced-in properties—many of these homes back up to the river, giving you a renewable water source, fewer sightlines for zombies to breach, and space to plant crops.
Don’t let the sleepy layout fool you. With a hardware store, a grocery, and various residential homes within looting distance, Riverside is well-stocked. It’s not as rich in loot as West Point, but you trade chaos for consistency—and that’s often a winning deal.
Top Base Pick: The gated cul-de-sac west of town. Low traffic, good fences, and easy to turn into a fortress.
Rosewood – Fortress by Design
Rosewood offers a slower start. The town is small, with wide-open roads and spaced-out buildings, but what it lacks in loot density, it makes up for in defensibility. The fire station here is a true outpost—thick walls, secure garage, watchtower, and a natural layout for bunkering down. There’s even a second floor for sleeping quarters, which means better line-of-sight and safer rest.
Nearby, you’ll find a police station for early access to weapons and a medical center for first-aid loot. Rosewood is ideal if you want to build gradually and stay off the radar. The fewer the undead, the more time you get to turn it into a home.
Top Base Pick: Rosewood Fire Department. Minimal entry points, vehicle-friendly, and easily defendable.
Muldraugh – Industrial-Grade Opportunity
Strategically located and rich in resources, Muldraugh is for those who want to build big. The town has a robust selection of industrial buildings—warehouses, tool sheds, and garages—which makes it ideal for those who want to stockpile, craft, and customize.
The large warehouse on the north side of town is especially appealing. It offers incredible storage space, direct truck access, and multiple exits to cover. With a bit of carpentry, you can convert it into a manufacturing-style compound. The town does attract more zombies than Rosewood or Riverside, but the trade-off is access to valuable loot and tools.
Top Base Pick: North Muldraugh warehouse. Industrial stronghold with all the room you need to expand.
West Point – High Stakes, High Rewards
Want a challenge? West Point is calling. This town throws you into the deep end immediately. You’ll face high zombie density, but the rewards are immense. It’s home to some of the best looting locations on the map: gun stores, hardware shops, and grocery chains. If you can secure one of the mid-sized buildings early on, you’ll have an arsenal at your fingertips.
The food market, located on the town’s main commercial strip, offers a solid mix of storage space and second-floor shelter. Reinforce the windows, barricade the staircases, and you’ve got a fast-access base that puts you at the epicenter of the action.
Top Base Pick: West Point food market. Get in early, defend hard, and you’ll be rewarded.
Louisville – Verticality and Complexity
The largest city added to the map, Louisville is a metropolis of opportunity—and danger. With high-rise buildings, multi-story commercial zones, and massive residential grids, it redefines how you think about survival. It’s the only area where vertical defense becomes a genuine option.
If you can clear and secure an upper-floor apartment or office, you get unparalleled views, natural choke points, and easy ways to manage access. The downside? Escaping is harder, and looting means navigating a maze of zombie-packed streets. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for veteran players, it’s a rich, immersive survival playground.
Top Base Pick: High-rise apartments on the edge of downtown. Built-in escape routes and bird’s-eye defense.
Knox Prison – Maximum Security Base
Often overlooked but immensely valuable, the prison complex offers unmatched defensive potential. Surrounded by walls and gates, it’s pre-built for control. The interior layout has room for everything—sleeping quarters, kitchens, medical wings, and exercise areas. While it's a trek from town centers, its isolation is a strength for late-game campaigns.
The main challenge? Clearing it. You'll face multiple zombie groups and tricky room layouts. But if you succeed, you inherit one of the most secure bases in the game.
Top Base Pick: Knox Penitentiary. It’s hard to take—but even harder to break into.
Critical Factors When Choosing a Base
Picking a base is more than finding four walls and a roof. Consider these essentials before settling:
- Access to Water: Proximity to rivers or rainwater collection spots is non-negotiable.
- Defensible Layout: How many entry points? Can they be blocked or funneled?
- Looting Routes: Are you close enough to raid supplies without drawing crowds?
- Vehicle Accessibility: Is there parking space or room to escape if things get loud?
- Expansion Potential: Will your early base support long-term play—farming, crafting, storage?
Base Location Comparison Table
| Location | Strengths | Risks | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | Quiet, resource-friendly, secure suburbs | Limited high-end loot over time | Solo players, cautious builds |
| Rosewood | Pre-built bunkers, medical/police proximity | Low variety of loot, slower start | Methodical base builders |
| Muldraugh | Industrial buildings, tool-rich | Higher zombie count, more noise | Crafting-focused survivors |
| West Point | Loot density, strong central buildings | Constant undead pressure, fast-paced starts | Risk-takers, group players |
| Louisville | Vertical gameplay, rich loot, urban sprawl | Maze-like layout, hard to secure | Advanced players, tactical teams |
| Knox Prison | Fortified layout, high capacity | Isolated, hard to clear initially | Endgame builders, isolationists |
Carve Out Your Territory
Every great survival story in Project Zomboid starts with a smart base. It’s where your identity as a survivor takes shape. It’s the backdrop for close calls, tense nights, and the quiet victories that come with just making it through another day.
So whether you’re boarding up a house in Riverside, welding together a fortress in Muldraugh, or turning a Louisville high-rise into your apocalypse penthouse, choose wisely. Every plank you place, every room you claim—it’s all part of building your future in a world that no longer has one.
If you’re ready to start that journey or take your next run more seriously, grab your Project Zomboid Steam CD Key from RoyalCDKeys and begin laying down roots—because in Zomboid, the best base isn’t just a structure. It’s your story in progress.
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