Host a Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server

Sons of the Forest is a horror survival game and sequel to The Forest by Endnight Games. Sent to find a missing billionaire on a remote island, you find yourself in a cannibal-infested hellscape. Craft, build, and struggle to survive, alone or with friends.

Skip the Setup — Deploy Now or read the full guide below

Requirements Setup Guide Installation

Hardware Requirements

Here's what you need to run a Sons of the Forest dedicated server.

Economy

Small server, 1-4 players

CPU2 cores

RAM4 GB

Storage8 GB

Standard

Medium server, 4-8 players

CPU2.5 cores

RAM6 GB

Storage8 GB

Pro

Large server, 8-8 players

CPU3 cores

RAM8 GB

Storage8 GB

Start hosting from your own computer

Run a Sons of the Forest server on your desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine — GameCP automates Docker setup, resource allocation, and Sons of the Forest configuration instantly. Automatic port forwarding means your friends can connect without touching your router. Start local, scale to a VPS when you're ready.

Get Started FreeNo credit card required

Setup in 4 Steps

Skip the manual SteamCMD installation, port forwarding, and systemd configuration. Install on your own computer and start hosting instantly.

Step 01

Create a GameCP Account

GameCP gives you a full control panel with Docker containerization, file management, automatic port forwarding, and automatic updates — all built in.

Step 02

Connect Your Hardware

Install GameCP on your own desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine. One-line install — no SSH expertise needed.

GameCP installs Docker, configures networking, and sets up automatic port forwarding so your friends can connect instantly. Start hosting from your own PC and scale to a VPS later. Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Step 03

Deploy Sons of the Forest

Select "Sons of the Forest" from the template library and hit deploy. GameCP handles SteamCMD (App ID: 2465200), ports, startup commands, and all configuration automatically.

Includes pre-configured dedicatedserver.cfg. Uses the yolks:wine_latest image. ~8 GB storage.

Step 04

Start Playing

Hit start and share your server address. Automatic port forwarding handles the rest — no router config needed.

GameCP monitors your server health and provides live logs from your browser. Your friends connect using the address GameCP gives you.

The Manual Way vs. GameCP

Manual Setup

✗ Install SteamCMD manually
✗ Configure 3+ firewall ports and router settings
✗ Write systemd service files
✗ SSH into server to edit configs
✗ Requires a VPS or dedicated server
✗ 30-60 minutes if experienced

With GameCP

One-click SteamCMD install
Automatic port forwarding — no router config
Host from your own PC, VPS, or dedicated server
Docker container with auto-restart
Visual config editor in browser
Under 5 minutes total

Under the Hood

The full manual process to host a Sons of the Forest dedicated server on a VPS. Or install GameCP on your own computer and skip all of this.

Step 1

Configure & Prepare

Set your server settings, then install Docker, SteamCMD, and pull the Sons of the Forest container image.

Server ConfigurationEdit values to update all commands

Server NameServer name displayed in the server browser

LAN OnlyRestrict server to LAN connections only

Game ModeGame difficulty mode. Ignored when loading an exis...

Save SlotSave slot number to use

Save ModeContinue loads existing save or creates new. New a...

Idle Day Cycle SpeedDay/night cycle speed multiplier when no players c...

Tree RegrowthAllow trees to regrow after being cut down

Structure DamageAllow enemies to damage player structures

Enemy SpawnEnable enemy spawning (Custom mode only)

Enemy HealthEnemy health multiplier (Custom mode only)

Enemy DamageEnemy damage multiplier (Custom mode only)

Enemy AggressionEnemy aggression level (Custom mode only)

Enemy ArmourEnemy armour strength (Custom mode only)

Animal Spawn RateAnimal spawn rate (Custom mode only)

Starting SeasonStarting season for the game world (Custom mode on...

Season LengthLength of each season (Custom mode only)

Day LengthLength of each day (Custom mode only)

Server PasswordServer password for private games. Leave empty for...

Save Interval (seconds)Auto-save interval in seconds (default: 600 = 10 m...

Skip Network TestSkip network accessibility test on startup. Recomm...

Idle Target FPSTarget framerate when no players are connected

Active Target FPSTarget framerate when players are active

Auto UpdateAutomatically update server files on restart

terminal

# Update system and install Docker
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

# Create game server directory
sudo mkdir -p /opt/gameserver

# Install SteamCMD
sudo mkdir -p /opt/steamcmd
curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | sudo tar zxvf - -C /opt/steamcmd

# Server configuration
export LAN_ONLY="false"
export GAME_MODE="Normal"
export SAVE_SLOT="1"
export SAVE_MODE="Continue"
export IDLE_DAY_SPEED="0.0"
export TREE_REGROWTH="true"
export STRUCTURE_DAMAGE="true"
export ENEMY_SPAWN="true"
export ENEMY_HEALTH="Normal"
export ENEMY_DAMAGE="Normal"
export ENEMY_AGGRESSION="Normal"
export ENEMY_ARMOUR="Normal"
export ANIMAL_SPAWN="Normal"
export STARTING_SEASON="Summer"
export SEASON_LENGTH="Default"
export DAY_LENGTH="Default"
export SAVE_INTERVAL="600"
export SKIP_NET_TEST="true"
export IDLE_FPS="5"
export ACTIVE_FPS="60"
export AUTO_UPDATE="1"

# Pull the container image
docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/yolks:wine_latest

Step 2

Install Server Files via SteamCMD

Download the Sons of the Forest dedicated server using Steam App ID 2465200.

terminal

# Download Sons of the Forest server files (App ID: 2465200)
/opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /opt/gameserver \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 2465200 validate \
  +quit

Step 3

Open Firewall Ports

Sons of the Forest requires 3 ports to be open for game traffic and queries.

terminal

sudo ufw allow 8766/udp
sudo ufw allow 27016/udp
sudo ufw allow 9700/udp

8766/UDP(PORT)27016/UDP(QUERY_PORT)9700/UDP

Step 4

Launch the Server

Start the Sons of the Forest server using the configuration from Step 1.

terminal

docker run -d \
  --name sons-of-the-forest-server \
  -p 8766:8766/udp \
  -p 27016:27016/udp \
  -p 9700:9700/udp \
  -e LAN_ONLY="false" \
  -e GAME_MODE="Normal" \
  -e SAVE_SLOT="1" \
  -e SAVE_MODE="Continue" \
  -e IDLE_DAY_SPEED="0.0" \
  -e TREE_REGROWTH="true" \
  -e STRUCTURE_DAMAGE="true" \
  -e ENEMY_SPAWN="true" \
  -e ENEMY_HEALTH="Normal" \
  -e ENEMY_DAMAGE="Normal" \
  -e ENEMY_AGGRESSION="Normal" \
  -e ENEMY_ARMOUR="Normal" \
  -e ANIMAL_SPAWN="Normal" \
  -e STARTING_SEASON="Summer" \
  -e SEASON_LENGTH="Default" \
  -e DAY_LENGTH="Default" \
  -e SAVE_INTERVAL="600" \
  -e SKIP_NET_TEST="true" \
  -e IDLE_FPS="5" \
  -e ACTIVE_FPS="60" \
  -e AUTO_UPDATE="1" \
  -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \
  -w /opt/gameserver \
  ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/yolks:wine_latest \
  WINEDEBUG= xvfb-run --auto-servernum wine ./SonsOfTheForestDS.exe -userdatapath "/home/container/serverconfig" -dedicatedserver.IpAddress "0.0.0.0" -dedicatedserver.GamePort "8766" -dedicatedserver.QueryPort "27016" -dedicatedserver.BlobSyncPort "" -dedicatedserver.MaxPlayers "" -dedicatedserver.Password "" -dedicatedserver.GameMode "Normal" -dedicatedserver.SkipNetworkAccessibilityTest "true" -dedicatedserver.SaveSlot "1" -dedicatedserver.LogFilesEnabled "true" -dedicatedserver.TimestampLogFilenames "true" 2>&1

Or skip all of this

GameCP automates every step above: Docker, SteamCMD, port forwarding, startup, and config. Install on your own PC and deploy a Sons of the Forest server in under 5 minutes.

Deploy with GameCP

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Host Sons of the Forest from your own computer. Automatic port forwarding. Zero config.

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Host a Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server

# Update system and install Docker sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y docker.io sudo systemctl enable --now docker # Create game server directory sudo mkdir -p /opt/gameserver # Install SteamCMD sudo mkdir -p /opt/steamcmd curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | sudo tar zxvf - -C /opt/steamcmd # Server configuration export LAN_ONLY="false" export GAME_MODE="Normal" export SAVE_SLOT="1" export SAVE_MODE="Continue" export IDLE_DAY_SPEED="0.0" export TREE_REGROWTH="true" export STRUCTURE_DAMAGE="true" export ENEMY_SPAWN="true" export ENEMY_HEALTH="Normal" export ENEMY_DAMAGE="Normal" export ENEMY_AGGRESSION="Normal" export ENEMY_ARMOUR="Normal" export ANIMAL_SPAWN="Normal" export STARTING_SEASON="Summer" export SEASON_LENGTH="Default" export DAY_LENGTH="Default" export SAVE_INTERVAL="600" export SKIP_NET_TEST="true" export IDLE_FPS="5" export ACTIVE_FPS="60" export AUTO_UPDATE="1" # Pull the container image docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/yolks:wine_latest

docker run -d \ --name sons-of-the-forest-server \ -p 8766:8766/udp \ -p 27016:27016/udp \ -p 9700:9700/udp \ -e LAN_ONLY="false" \ -e GAME_MODE="Normal" \ -e SAVE_SLOT="1" \ -e SAVE_MODE="Continue" \ -e IDLE_DAY_SPEED="0.0" \ -e TREE_REGROWTH="true" \ -e STRUCTURE_DAMAGE="true" \ -e ENEMY_SPAWN="true" \ -e ENEMY_HEALTH="Normal" \ -e ENEMY_DAMAGE="Normal" \ -e ENEMY_AGGRESSION="Normal" \ -e ENEMY_ARMOUR="Normal" \ -e ANIMAL_SPAWN="Normal" \ -e STARTING_SEASON="Summer" \ -e SEASON_LENGTH="Default" \ -e DAY_LENGTH="Default" \ -e SAVE_INTERVAL="600" \ -e SKIP_NET_TEST="true" \ -e IDLE_FPS="5" \ -e ACTIVE_FPS="60" \ -e AUTO_UPDATE="1" \ -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \ -w /opt/gameserver \ ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/yolks:wine_latest \ WINEDEBUG= xvfb-run --auto-servernum wine ./SonsOfTheForestDS.exe -userdatapath "/home/container/serverconfig" -dedicatedserver.IpAddress "0.0.0.0" -dedicatedserver.GamePort "8766" -dedicatedserver.QueryPort "27016" -dedicatedserver.BlobSyncPort "" -dedicatedserver.MaxPlayers "" -dedicatedserver.Password "" -dedicatedserver.GameMode "Normal" -dedicatedserver.SkipNetworkAccessibilityTest "true" -dedicatedserver.SaveSlot "1" -dedicatedserver.LogFilesEnabled "true" -dedicatedserver.TimestampLogFilenames "true" 2>&1