The 11 Rarest Biomes In Minecraft

Minecraft is a game that appeals to a wide variety of players. There’s something for everyone, from engineers to landscapers. One fairly universally enjoyed part of the game’s experience (at least in survival mode), however, is exploring the world and locating a place to settle. Minecraft shines in this respect, providing a wide and ever-expanding selection of wildly varying biomes to populate its infinite worlds.

Not all biomes are created equal, though. You might find yourself wandering through plains or forests pretty often, but how frequently do you end up in a field of Mooshrooms? If you’re looking for somewhere unique to call home or just want to see everything Minecraft has to see, here are the game’s ten rarest biomes.

Updated on March 12, 2023, by Branden Lizardi: The funny thing about getting a list of the rarest biomes is that the more likely we are to miss something, the more fitting it would be for the list. After a bit more research and a bit more exploration, we’ve revisited and updated this list with the rarest biome in Minecraft, and a few of the runner ups.

11 The Giant Tree Taiga Biome

Taigas (and their snowy counterparts) aren’t particularly uncommon – there’s a good chance you’ll have wandered through one, and you’ll certainly have come across them if you’ve ever gone looking for spruce. The same cannot be said for the giant tree taiga.

Much rarer than its regular equivalent, the giant tree taiga is a completely different biome. The ground is replaced with podzol, the trees tower far higher than regular spruce trees, and the ground is littered with mossy cobblestone boulders. It’s a biome worth seeking out for the sight alone.

10 The Shattered Savanna Biome

Like taigas, savanna biomes are a relatively common sight. Very occasionally, however, it’s possible to stumble across a far more remarkable (but far more rare) variant. In a shattered savanna, the land has been, well… shattered. Mountains tower far higher than usual, with sharp edges where the land has cracked apart.

Coarse dirt covers every inch of these remarkable mountains, and incredible waterfalls splashing down the jagged peaks are also a common sight. Shattered savannas are another spectacle of a biome you don’t want to miss.

9 The Sunflower Plains Biome

Though a bit less dramatic than the previous entries, the sunflower plains biome is nonetheless a rare and exciting find should you stumble across it. As the name suggests, it’s like a regular plains biome with one key addition – sunflowers. This is the only place you can get them, so it’s an important destination for any flower fans.

Sunflowers have a few uses – decoration, obviously, and they can be crafted into yellow dye. Furthermore, they will always face east no matter how they’re placed, so they can be a useful way to orient yourself in a pinch.

8 The Ice Spikes Biome

It’s back to dramatic landscapes now, and the ice spikes biome is about as dramatic as it gets. Shorter, stubbier spikes litter the ground, interrupted only by amazing, taller needles. This incredible biome is found very rarely within other snowy biomes – one of many such rarities you can find in Minecraft’s tundras.

As well as providing an epic backdrop to anything you build, ice spikes biomes are worth seeking out due to being a fantastic source of packed ice. This rare resource is vital for nether highways or item transportation, so ice spikes biomes are definitely a good destination.

7 The Flower Forest Biome

If you thought the sunflower plains sounded good, then you’re in for a treat with the flower forest. This rare forest variant has bright and colorful flowers as far as the eye can see. Almost every type of flower in the game generates here, and it’s the only place you can get pretty pink aliums.

The flower forest also features an increased spawn rate for beehives, so the area is packed with fuzzy little critters pollinating the many flowers. If you want to grab some rare plants, acquire some bee friends, or just check out a beautiful biome, then the flower forest is the place for you.

6 The Badlands Biome

Longtime players might know this one as the mesa, but whatever you call it, it’s a stunning biome packed with rare treasures. Most of the ground is made up of terracotta, so it’s great for anyone in need of smelted clay blocks. It’s also the only place in the game to acquire the beautiful red sand.

Additionally, gold generates far more commonly, and at any Y-level. So it’s worth a trip if you’re in need of the shiny stuff — especially considering abandoned mineshafts share these frequency-increasing properties, making it easy to just wander in from the surface and come out with stacks of gold.

5 The Snowy Beach Biome

This biome may not have the same level of ‘wow factor’ as the other ones, but it’s a rare one all the same. The Snowy Beach biome occurs when a cold biome connects to an oceanic biome. However, biome generation is partially determined by tempurature zones, meaning that you’re much less likely to find cold climates (like tundras) directly next to hot climates (deserts) without more temperate ones spawning in between them. Since most oceans are considered warm, a temperature collision like this is a rare sight.

Mechanically, this landscape is a little less interesting than a normal beach. Aside from the obvious snowfall and ice formation, the only change here is that sea tutles will not spawn, but rabbits will. So frankly speaking, there’s not much reason to settle down here unless you’re on the hunt for bunnies.

4 The Jungle Biome

A staple of Minecraft since the early days, jungles are rarer but feature even more cool and exclusive treasures than badlands. Immediately recognizable thanks to the lush greenery and towering trees, jungles are the only place to find jungle trees, cocoa, bamboo, melons, and more.

They’re also home to ocelots, parrots, and pandas – all fantastic, adorable mobs that make excellent companions. Though exceedingly rare, the cornucopia of brilliant rewards a jungle contains is a fantastic incentive to go out in search of one.

3 The Bamboo Jungle Biome

Jungles are rare to begin with, but bamboo jungles are a variant that generate occasionally within them. So not only do you need to be lucky enough to find a jungle, but lucky enough to find a jungle in which a bamboo jungle has generated. As is often the case, though, the biome makes up for its rarity.

The ground of a bamboo jungle is made up entirely of podzol, and there’s valuable bamboo everywhere you look. This makes them excellent places to stock up on these handy resources. They’re also favored by pandas, making bamboo jungles a great place to grab a cuddly black-and-white friend.

2 The Eroded Badlands Biome

Like jungles, badlands have an even rarer variant that can sometimes generate within the main biome. Eroded badlands biomes don’t contain anything the regular badlands don’t, but their landscape more than compensates for this. It’s arguably the most jaw-dropping biome in the game.

Huge, dramatic spikes tower up from the ground, creating a biome full of gigantic jagged spires. Combined with the unique and beautiful colors, the sight of these peaks is one to behold. Factoring in the rarity, it’s clear why eroded badlands are such a special find.

1 The Mushroom Fields Biome

Minecraft’s rarest biome is, ironically, the home to one of its most iconic mobs. Mooshrooms inhabit the mushroom fields biome, serving as just one of many novelties making the area unique. Instead of dirt or podzol, the ground is made of the biome-exclusive mycelium, and trees are replaced with giant mushrooms.

Mushrooms are a useful but uncommon item in Minecraft. So if you’re lucky enough to come across mushroom fields, it’s a great place to stock up. The biome has one other special property – no hostile mobs can spawn in a mushroom fields biome at all, so it’s the perfect place to set up a safe home if you’re willing to take on the challenge of finding it.