Bigfoot Sightings Across America: Full 50-State Guide

Across the dense forests, rugged mountains, and shadowy swamps of the United States, Bigfoot sightings have sparked fascination for centuries. Known as Sasquatch, Skunk Ape, or Wild Man, this elusive, hairy humanoid has left a trail of stories that captivate believers and skeptics alike.

From fleeting glimpses in Washington’s misty woods to eerie tracks in Florida’s Everglades, Bigfoot sightings are reported in nearly every state, making it the most iconic cryptid in American folklore.

Bigfoot Sightings in the U.S.

Bigfoot sightings are the most prevalent cryptid encounters in the United States, with over 10,000 reported incidents spanning centuries.

The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), established in 1995, has documented more than 5,600 credible sightings, far surpassing reports of other cryptids like the Chupacabra or Mothman.

These encounters, classified as Class A (clear visual sightings), Class B (indirect evidence like tracks or sounds), or Class C (less reliable), paint a picture of a creature that allegedly roams diverse landscapes, from Pacific Northwest rainforests to Appalachian foothills.

Key Facts About Bigfoot Sightings

Volume and Spread: Washington leads with 708 Bigfoot sightings, followed by California (461), Florida (344), and Ohio (318). Every state except Hawaii has at least one reported encounter, with even urban-heavy states like New Jersey (68) and Connecticut (17) logging sightings.

Historical Range: The earliest documented Bigfoot sighting dates to 1811, when explorer David Thompson found 14-inch tracks in Alberta, Canada, near the U.S. border. In the U.S., Arkansas’s 1840 settler accounts mark an early record, while modern sightings surged after the 1958 Bluff Creek tracks in California coined the term Bigfoot.

Notable Incidents: Iconic Bigfoot sightings include the 1924 Ape Canyon attack in Washington, where miners reported creatures hurling rocks, and the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film in California, capturing a female Bigfoot named Patty. Recent cases, like the 2023 Colorado train video and 2025 Idaho ATV sighting, keep the legend alive.

Cultural Impact: Bigfoot sightings outnumber other cryptid reports due to the creature’s prominence in Native American folklore, media (e.g., Harry and the Hendersons), and tourism. Festivals in Stanton, Kentucky, and mascots like the Seattle SuperSonics’ Squatch reflect its enduring allure.

Hotspots: The Pacific Northwest accounts for nearly one-third of Bigfoot sightings, with Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and California’s Humboldt County as epicenters. Other regions, like Florida’s Everglades (Skunk Ape) and Ohio’s Salt Fork State Park (Grassman), are also significant.

Highlighted Sightings

1924 Ape Canyon, Washington: Miners, including Fred Beck, reported a violent encounter near Mount St. Helens. After shooting at a 7-foot creature, their cabin was pelted with rocks by multiple Bigfoot, leaving 16-inch tracks. This remains one of the most dramatic Bigfoot sightings.

1958 Bluff Creek, California: Logger Jerry Crew found 16-inch, five-toed footprints at a construction site, sparking the Bigfoot name. Though later linked to prankster Ray Wallace, the tracks fueled global interest in Bigfoot sightings.

1971 Fouke, Arkansas: Bobby Ford and family reported a hairy creature, dubbed the Fouke Monster, peering into their home. The encounter inspired the film The Legend of Boggy Creek, cementing Arkansas’s place in Bigfoot lore.

2023 Colorado Train Sighting: Shannon Parker and Stetson Tyler filmed a large, dark figure from a tourist train in the San Juan Mountains. The video, widely shared, is among the latest high-profile Bigfoot sightings.

Why Bigfoot Sightings Dominate

Bigfoot sightings eclipse other cryptid reports due to several factors. Native American stories, like the Salish Sasquatch as a spiritual guardian, provide a deep cultural foundation.

The creature’s alleged habitat—vast, forested areas like the Pacific Northwest—offers plausible cover. Media coverage, from the Patterson-Gimlin film to reality TV shows, amplifies public interest, encouraging more reports.

Unlike localized cryptids (e.g., Mothman in West Virginia), Bigfoot’s nationwide presence, with sightings in 49 states, makes it a universal phenomenon, ensuring its status as America’s top cryptid.

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Comprehensive Bigfoot Sightings by U.S. State

Below is a comprehensive table listing Bigfoot sightings across all 50 U.S. states, based on data from the BFRO and credible sources up to 2025.

Notes on the Table:

• Data Source: Compiled from the BFRO database, updated as of July 2025, and cross-referenced with credible reports. Sighting counts reflect Class A and B reports.
• Sightings Count: Numbers are based on BFRO’s vetted reports, with potential underreporting in low-population states (e.g., Delaware, Rhode Island).
• First Sighting Dates: Precise dates (e.g., July 1924 for Washington) are provided where documented; others are approximate years based on historical accounts. Pre-1900 dates (e.g., Arkansas’s 1840) are less precise.

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Bigfoot Sightings Characteristics by State