Complete Guide to Georgia Bigfoot Sightings (1957

Georgia’s rugged mountains, sprawling swamps, and shadowy forests have long harbored tales of a mysterious, ape-like creature known as Bigfoot, Sasquatch, or the Skunk Ape.

With over 130 documented Georgia Bigfoot sightings, the state ranks among the top in the U.S. for encounters with this elusive cryptid, trailing only states like Washington and California. Witnesses describe a towering, hairy being, often accompanied by a pungent odor, lurking in places like the Chattahoochee National Forest and the Okefenokee Swamp. Rooted in Native American lore and fueled by modern reports, these sightings captivate adventurers, researchers, and skeptics alike.

This article offers an in-depth exploration of Georgia Bigfoot sightings, delving into their history, investigative efforts, two pivotal case studies, comparisons with other cryptids, and their cultural significance in the Peach State.

Georgia Bigfoot Sightings

The legend of Bigfoot in Georgia stretches back decades, interwoven with the state’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) has recorded over 130 sightings, with reports concentrated in North Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and South Georgia’s swampy lowlands.

Witnesses, including hunters, hikers, and locals, describe a creature 6–8 feet tall, covered in dark brown, reddish, or black fur, often emitting a foul, musky smell reminiscent of wet dog or decay. Cherokee and Creek traditions speak of a Sasquatch-like figure, known as Tsul ‘Kalu or “Slanting Eyes,” a forest guardian shrouded in mystery.

Sightings occur in diverse settings, from the misty trails of Fannin County to the murky waters of Clinch County’s Okefenokee Swamp. Common elements include eerie silence, strange vocalizations like whoops or howls, and large footprints, some up to 17 inches long with a distinctive four-toed pattern.

Below is a comprehensive table of Georgia Bigfoot sightings:

Date	Witness	Location	Description
July 1957	Local resident	Near Macon, Bibb County	A resident saw a 7-foot, dark-furred creature crossing a rural road at dusk, moving upright. It left 15-inch footprints with a 48-inch stride; no odor was reported.
August 1962	Farmer	Near Tifton, Tift County	A farmer noticed crops disturbed and saw a 6.5-foot, reddish creature near a field, fleeing into woods. A sulfurous smell and broken branches were found.
January 1976	Two servicemen	Little Tybee Island, Chatham County	Campers reported their tent shaken at night, with heavy footsteps and a musky odor. No visual sighting occurred, but waves lapped as if something large moved nearby (Class B).
September 1978	Hunter	Near Dahlonega, Lumpkin County	A hunter heard loud whoops and saw a 7-foot, black-furred creature watching from a ridge, retreating silently. 16-inch tracks were found near a creek.
July 1984	Teenager	Near Jonesboro, Clayton County	A teenager observed a 6.5-foot, reddish-brown creature by a creek, emitting a low growl before fleeing. Broken branches and a foul smell lingered.
October 1986	Fisherman	Near Nahunta, Brantley County	A fisherman heard shrill whoops and saw a 7-foot, dark creature wading in a swamp, vanishing into reeds. A sewer-like odor was noted.
June 1990	Park ranger	Cohutta Wilderness, Fannin County	A ranger saw a 7.5-foot, dark creature drinking from a stream at dawn, moving upright into dense forest. A musky smell and 17-inch tracks were found.
May 1999	Hiker	Near Marietta, Cobb County	A hiker spotted a 7-foot, black-furred creature near a trail, staring briefly before retreating. 16-inch, four-toed footprints were documented.
October 2003	Camper	Near Carrollton, Carroll County	A camper heard screams and saw a 6-foot, hairy figure near a campsite, fleeing when illuminated. A foul odor and disturbed vegetation were noted.
October 2004	Hunter	Near Jackson, Butts County	A hunter observed a 7.5-foot creature with dark fur eating berries, moving silently before vanishing. No tracks were found due to rocky terrain.
July 2008	18-year-old man and grandfather	Near Nashville, Berrien County	While hunting, they saw a 5-foot, bipedal creature resembling a raptor, possibly a Bigfoot misidentification. It fled rapidly into dense woods.
August 2009	Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office deputy	Frogtown area, Lumpkin County	Dash cam captured a 7-foot, dark figure running across a road at night, moving at high speed. Sheriff claimed it was a prank, but no evidence confirmed this.
October 2009	Farmer	Near Homerville, Clinch County	A farmer saw a 7-foot, lanky creature with long hair near the Okefenokee Swamp, emitting a sewer-like smell. It crossed a field and vanished.
May 2010	Motorist	Near Winder, Barrow County	A driver reported a 6.5-foot, dark creature crossing a highway at night, moving upright with long strides. No odor or tracks were noted.
September 2010	Hunter	Near Roberta, Crawford County	A hunter found 17-inch footprints and heard loud knocks, followed by a glimpse of a 7-foot, brown creature in dense forest.
December 2011	Camper	Near Cartersville, Bartow County	A camper saw a 7-foot, hairy figure watching their campsite, accompanied by tree knocks and a foul odor. It fled when approached.
July 2013	Hiker	Near Summerville, Chattooga County	A hiker heard a lion-like roar and saw a 7.5-foot, dark creature moving through woods, leaving broken branches but no clear tracks.
March 2014	Fisherman	Near Waycross, Ware County	A fisherman saw a 6.5-foot, reddish creature wading in a swamp, emitting a musky smell. It vanished into palmettos, leaving 15-inch tracks.
August 2016	Farmer	Near Adel, Cook County	A farmer saw a 6-foot, reddish creature stealing crops at dawn, fleeing into a swamp. 15-inch tracks and a foul smell were documented.
January 24, 2019	Retired couple	Hwy 129 near Blairsville, Union County	At 12:30 a.m., they saw a 7-foot, brown Sasquatch cross the highway, glancing back in headlights before descending an embankment.
May 20, 2019	51-year-old man	State Hwy 515, Cherry Log, Gilmer County	At 8:30 p.m., a driver saw a 7–8-foot, dark, hairy creature with a pointed head, crossing into woods. No further movement was seen.
May 27, 2019	Commuter	Near Clayton, Rabun County	At dawn, a man saw a black-gray, 7-foot creature kneeling by a stream, possibly fishing, before it fled into a field.
December 2019	Hunter	Near Statesboro, Bulloch County	A hunter heard screams and saw a 6.5-foot, dark figure moving through woods, leaving 16-inch tracks and a foul smell.
April 2020	Hiker	Near Helen, White County	A hiker reported a 7-foot, reddish creature watching from a trail, emitting a whistle before retreating. No tracks were found.
July 2021	Camper	Near Blue Ridge, Fannin County	A camper heard whoops and saw a 7.5-foot, dark creature near a lake, accompanied by a musky odor. It fled when a flashlight was used.
December 2021	Motorist	Near Thomaston, Upson County	A driver saw a 6.5-foot, dark creature cross a rural road at night, moving upright. A foul smell lingered briefly.
April 2022	Hiker	Near Trenton, Dade County	A hiker saw a 7-foot, reddish creature on a ridge, emitting a shrill whistle before retreating. No tracks were found due to rocky ground.
December 2022	Camper	Near Canton, Cherokee County	A camper saw a 7.5-foot, dark creature near a lake, with tree knocks and a musky odor. It fled when a fire was lit.
March 2023	Fisherman	Near Valdosta, Lowndes County	A fisherman heard loud howls and saw a 6.5-foot, brown creature wading in a creek, vanishing into woods. 15-inch tracks were found.
September 2023	Boater	Near Ocmulgee River boat launch, Twiggs County	At sundown, rocks were thrown near a boat launch, with heavy footsteps heard but no visual sighting (Class B).
January 2024	Hunter	Near Dawsonville, Dawson County	A hunter heard wood knocks and saw a 7-foot, dark creature moving through forest, leaving 16-inch tracks and a foul smell.
May 2024	Hiker	Appalachian Trail, 7 miles SE of Hiawassee, Towns County	A hiker heard distinct wood knocks and smelled a musky odor, with no visible creature (Class B).
August 2024	Motorist	26 miles southwest of Macon, Peach County	A driver saw a 7-foot, dark Bigfoot crossing a highway at dusk, moving swiftly into woods. No tracks were found.

Investigation Efforts in Georgia

The pursuit of Bigfoot in Georgia combines scientific rigor, grassroots passion, and cultural intrigue, with researchers navigating the state’s dense forests and swampy lowlands. From the misty Chattahoochee National Forest to the Okefenokee Swamp, investigators employ diverse methods to document sightings and seek evidence.

These efforts face challenges like Georgia’s humid climate, which erodes physical evidence, and skepticism from mainstream science, yet they persist in fueling public fascination.

Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO): The BFRO leads Georgia’s Bigfoot investigations, maintaining a database of over 130 sightings. Investigators conduct field expeditions, using trail cameras, thermal imaging, and audio recorders to capture evidence. Their work in Lumpkin, Union, and Clinch Counties has verified key reports, such as the 2019 Blairsville sighting, through witness interviews and site analysis.
Expedition: Bigfoot! The Sasquatch Museum: Located in Cherry Log, Gilmer County, this museum, founded by David Bakara, is a cornerstone of Bigfoot research. Spanning 7,000 square feet, it houses footprint casts, sighting maps, and exhibits on Cherokee lore. Bakara leads expeditions in the Blue Ridge Mountains, using bait like peanut butter and apples to attract Sasquatch, and hosts the Georgia Bigfoot Conference to share findings.
North Georgia Bigfoot Excursions: This group offers guided tours in Fannin and Lumpkin Counties, visiting confirmed sighting sites. Led by local outdoorsmen, they use drones and night-vision equipment to monitor forests, emphasizing education and conservation. Their tours often attract witnesses who share new reports, enriching the local database.
Georgia Cryptozoology Enthusiasts: This informal network, active in South Georgia, investigates Skunk Ape sightings in the Okefenokee Swamp. Members, including retired biologist Dr. Susan Harper, analyze hair samples and trackways, though results often remain inconclusive. Their work focuses on Clinch and Ware Counties, where swampy terrain complicates evidence collection.
Independent Researchers: Figures like Deputy James P. Akin, based in Pike County, have documented sightings through books and interviews. Akin’s expeditions near Meansville uncovered 16-inch footprints in 2008, which he cast and analyzed. Cryptozoologist Jeffery Wells explores historical accounts, linking modern sightings to Cherokee tales of Tsul ‘Kalu. His book on Georgia Bigfoot compiles oral histories, adding depth to the research.
Community Initiatives: Events like the Dahlonega Bigfoot Festival draw researchers and locals to share stories and evidence. These gatherings, often held in Lumpkin County, feature plaster casts, audio recordings of whoops, and eyewitness panels. Local outfitters, such as Blue Ridge Adventure Tours, incorporate Bigfoot lore into hiking trips, boosting tourism and research.

Investigators face hurdles, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ stance that no official Bigfoot records exist, attributing sightings to bears or feral hogs. The state’s dense vegetation and frequent rains degrade evidence like tracks or hair, complicating verification. Despite this, modern tools like drones, infrared cameras, and environmental DNA sampling enhance efforts, while public interest sustains the quest for answers.

Detailed Case Studies

2009 Lumpkin County Dash Cam Video

The 2009 Lumpkin County dash cam video, captured in May 2009 near Frogtown, is Georgia’s most debated Bigfoot sighting, renowned for its visual evidence and ensuing controversy. Recorded by a Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office deputy during a night patrol, the footage shows a 7-foot, dark, bipedal figure crossing a rural road near Dahlonega. The case, reported to the BFRO (Report ID 26307), sparked national interest due to its clarity and the official context.

The deputy was patrolling a forested road at 11:45 p.m. when his dash cam recorded the creature, described as lean, with long arms and a fluid, rapid gait, covering 30 feet in seconds. The figure’s lack of a visible neck and upright posture aligned with Sasquatch descriptions. Startled, the deputy slowed his vehicle, but the creature vanished into dense woods. He reported a faint musky odor and found no tracks due to the paved road, prompting him to alert colleagues.

Sheriff Stacy Jarrard declared the sighting a hoax, claiming two North Georgia College students confessed to wearing a gorilla suit. However, BFRO investigators, led by Matt Moneymaker, disputed this, noting no student names or suit were documented.

Frame-by-frame analysis revealed the figure’s speed—estimated at 20 mph—exceeded human capability in a costume, and its arm length suggested non-human anatomy. The site, near the Chestatee River, was a known Bigfoot hotspot, with prior reports of vocalizations and tracks.

The case gained fame through Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot, which reenacted the sighting and conducted night investigations. No additional evidence was found, but the area’s dense forest and proximity to water supported its suitability as a Sasquatch habitat. Believers argue the video’s authenticity, citing the deputy’s credibility and lack of hoax evidence, while skeptics point to the sheriff’s statement and absence of physical proof.

This sighting remains a pivotal moment in Georgia’s Bigfoot lore, embodying the tension between evidence and skepticism.

January 24, 2019 Blairsville Sighting

The January 24, 2019, sighting on Highway 129 near Blairsville, Union County (BFRO Report ID 60837), is another standout case due to its clear visual encounter and credible witnesses. A retired couple, driving home at 12:30 a.m., observed a 7-foot, brown Sasquatch crossing the highway, making it a rarity among Georgia’s nocturnal reports.

The couple, experienced outdoors enthusiasts, were traveling north when their headlights illuminated a tall, hairy creature moving from the right side of the road to the left. Described as muscular with matted brown fur, it glanced back, revealing dark, reflective eyes, before descending a steep embankment.

The sighting lasted 5–7 seconds, with the creature covering 40 feet in a steady, upright stride. No odor was noted, but the couple heard a faint rustling as it vanished into the woods.

They reported the encounter to the BFRO, which classified it as Class A due to the clear visual and dual witnesses. Investigators visited the site, a remote stretch near the Nottely River, finding disturbed vegetation but no clear tracks due to frozen ground. The couple’s detailed account, including the creature’s height, fur texture, and deliberate movement, aligned with other North Georgia sightings.

The area’s proximity to the Chattahoochee National Forest and history of reports, like a 1990 Cohutta sighting, bolstered its credibility.

Skeptics suggested a bear or costumed individual, but the couple noted the creature’s bipedal gait and lack of bear-like features. The absence of tracks and odor fueled debate, yet the witnesses’ calm, detailed testimony strengthened the case. This sighting underscores the challenge of documenting fleeting encounters in Georgia’s rugged terrain.

Bigfoot Sightings vs Other Cryptid Sightings in Georgia

Georgia’s cryptid lore extends beyond Bigfoot, encompassing creatures like the Altamaha-ha, Wampus Cat, Georgia Raptor, and Skunk Ape, each rooted in folklore and eyewitness accounts. These legends, while distinct, share Georgia’s wild landscapes, raising questions about potential connections to Sasquatch sightings.

Altamaha-ha (Altie): A serpentine creature, 30–70 feet long with a crocodilian head, reported in the Altamaha River near Darien since the 1800s. A 1981 sighting described a dark, eel-like shape creating ripples near a dock. Its aquatic habitat contrasts with Bigfoot’s terrestrial nature, suggesting no overlap.
Wampus Cat: A Cherokee legend of a large, feline creature with glowing eyes, reported in North Georgia. A 1970 Gainesville sighting described a 5-foot, panther-like figure stalking livestock at dusk. Its supernatural, predatory traits differ from Bigfoot’s primate-like behavior, ruling out direct links.
Georgia Raptor: Seen in 2008 near Nashville, Berrien County, by an 18-year-old and his grandfather, this 5-foot, bipedal creature resembled a Velociraptor. Some speculate it was a juvenile Bigfoot misidentified due to its upright stance, but its reptilian features suggest a distinct phenomenon.
Skunk Ape: A Bigfoot-like creature reported in South Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp. A 2009 Clinch County sighting described a 7-foot, lanky figure with a sewer-like smell, mirroring Sasquatch reports. Likely a regional variant, it shares Bigfoot’s traits, suggesting possible overlap.

Other unexplained phenomena include hauntings at Chickamauga Battlefield, where “Old Green Eyes,” a spectral figure, is reported, and UFO sightings near Savannah in the 1990s.

These differ significantly from Bigfoot’s physical, ape-like nature, indicating no direct connection. The Skunk Ape’s similarity to Bigfoot suggests shared folklore, possibly reflecting misidentifications of the same creature in swampy regions. Georgia’s diverse ecosystems foster these varied legends, but only the Skunk Ape aligns closely with Sasquatch.

Conclusion

Georgia Bigfoot sightings weave a compelling narrative of mystery, blending ancient Cherokee tales with modern cryptozoological pursuits. Over 130 documented encounters, from the 1957 Macon sighting to 2024 reports, depict a consistent image of a tall, hairy, odorous creature.

The 2009 Lumpkin County dash cam video and 2019 Blairsville sighting highlight the challenges of verifying fleeting encounters, yet they fuel ongoing fascination. Investigations by the BFRO, David Bakara’s museum, and local enthusiasts sustain the search, despite scientific skepticism and environmental obstacles.

Amid Georgia’s broader cryptid lore, only the Skunk Ape shares close ties with Bigfoot, while creatures like the Altamaha-ha and Wampus Cat remain distinct. These legends reflect Georgia’s rich cultural tapestry and untamed wilderness, inviting exploration of the unknown.

Whether Bigfoot is a real creature, a misidentified animal, or a myth, its legacy endures, beckoning us to peer into the shadows of the Peach State’s forests and swamps.