Dayspring Canyon (Dawnguard) is an unmarked valley tucked away north of Stendarr’s Beacon in the Rift. From the road it looks like nothing more than a small gap in the mountainside, but step inside and you are on the doorstep of Fort Dawnguard, home of the Dawnguard. Anyone signing up to hunt vampires will be coming through here.
What you’ll find
- A narrow ravine that suddenly opens up onto a glacial waterfall spilling into a small lake – one of the prettier views in the Rift.
- The leftovers of a fisherman’s camp by the lake, with Spiky Grass growing along the shore.
- A path up the hill on the left that brings you to Fort Dawnguard.
- Three Dawnguard guards – Ollrod, Tilde and Vori – who always stand watch outside the fort.
- A small refugee camp outside the fort once Beyond Death has begun, with Barknar, Sern, Jayri and Alvide.
- Now and then, vampire scouts spying on the fort, who turn hostile if you get close.
- A back entrance to Mossy Glen Cave behind the trees where the Dawnguard chop wood.
Quests
During Dawnguard you meet Agmaer here, a nervous young Nord recruit admiring the view. He asks to walk with you to the fort and shares his big hopes of joining the order.
Tips
The map marker does not quite match the real entrance while you are on the Dawnguard questline. Easiest fix: walk north from Stendarr’s Beacon, go down the hill and keep heading north on the road, watching the rock face on your right for a narrow, cave-like opening with a brazier beside it. The Clairvoyance spell also points the way. On horseback, ride along the cliff on the right – when the game offers to let you dismount, you have arrived. Agmaer will be happy to see you either way; he is happy to see anyone.
Good to know
Clear Skies will push away the fog or rain here, but the clouds stay put. Daring climbers have reportedly used the snow on the east side of the fort’s highest balcony to reach the rest of the canyon without backtracking – just do not drop too far, because the landing is fatal.
Details checked against community wiki articles and the Skyrim/Dawnguard game files, summarised in our own words.
