The legend of Bigfoot, a towering, hairy, bipedal creature, has long captivated imaginations across North America, from the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest to the surprising wilds of New Jersey.
Despite its urban reputation, the Garden State boasts a rich history of Bigfoot sightings in New Jersey, with nearly 80 documented encounters since the 1950s. These New Jersey Bigfoot sightings span diverse landscapes, from the sprawling Pine Barrens to the rugged Kittatinny Mountains, fueling local folklore and cryptozoological intrigue. Witnesses describe a creature with shaggy fur, a pungent odor, and glowing eyes, often dubbed Big Red Eye in the northwest.
This article delves into the comprehensive history of these sightings, investigative efforts, notable case studies, and comparisons with other cryptids, offering an engaging exploration of New Jersey’s enduring mystery.
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New Jersey Bigfoot Sightings
New Jersey Bigfoot sightings have been reported across the state’s diverse terrain, from the sandy expanses of the Pine Barrens to the forested ridges of Sussex County. According to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), New Jersey has recorded 79 credible sightings, with Sussex County leading at 18, followed by Burlington (16) and Ocean (11) Counties.
These encounters, classified as Class A (clear, close-range observations) or Class B (distant sightings or auditory evidence), describe a creature 6–9 feet tall, covered in dark or light hair, often accompanied by eerie howls or massive footprints.
The table below compiles some of the best documented sightings from the BFRO database and other credible sources, organized chronologically from the earliest to the most recent in 2025.
Table of Reported Bigfoot Sightings in New Jersey:
| Date | Witness | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952/53 | Anonymous | Near Chatsworth, Burlington County | A young girl on a Girl Scout camping trip saw a large, hairy figure near a swamp. The creature vanished into the woods, leaving no tracks. |
| Summer 1966 | Anonymous | Wawayanda State Park, Sussex County | Two hunters observed a 7-foot, dark-haired creature crossing a trail at dusk. It emitted a low growl before disappearing into dense brush. |
| December 1976 | Anonymous | Carnation Dairy Plant, Sussex County | Two teens exploring an abandoned creamery saw hairy legs behind a box. The figure crashed through a wall, bounding 5–6 feet at a time into a cornfield. |
| Spring 1977 | Barbara Sites | Sites Family Farm, Wantage, Sussex County | An 8-foot creature with luminous red eyes killed rabbits and threw a 70-pound dog 20 feet. The family fired shots; the creature walked away unharmed. |
| July 1977 | Anonymous | Lake Owassa Road, Branchville, Sussex County | Five witnesses saw a 7-foot creature with glaring eyes cross a road in three steps under headlights. It fled into brush, leaving crashing sounds. |
| July 1978 | Anonymous | Camp Trail, Hopatcong, Sussex County | Two 11-year-olds saw an 8–9-foot creature walking toward a stream in daylight. Their dog approached it; the creature ignored them and vanished. |
| Summer 1980 | Anonymous | Wharton State Forest, Burlington County | A hiker heard loud, guttural screams near a river. No visual sighting, but large footprints were found in mud. |
| June 1990 | Anonymous | High Point State Park, Sussex County | A camper heard eerie howls at night. No visual sighting, but the sounds were unlike any known animal. |
| Summer 1991 | Anonymous | Near High Point State Park, Sussex County | Campers heard a loud, unknown vocalization, prompting them to retreat to their vehicles. No visual sighting. |
| February 1995 | Anonymous | Outskirts of Newton, Sussex County | Seven campers heard screams and felt stalked in the woods at night. No visual sighting, but fear drove them to leave. |
| November 1997 | Anonymous | Wit’s End Drive, Hamburg, Sussex County | A witness saw a 5.5–6-foot creature with dark brown hair rooting through a dumpster at 11 PM under halogen lights. It fled silently when spotted. |
| 1998 | Anonymous | New Gretna, Burlington County | A driver on the Garden State Parkway saw a tall, bipedal figure cross the road at night. It moved swiftly into the woods. |
| Spring 1998 | Anonymous | Unknown location, Sussex County | A hiker heard strange bellowing noises in a remote area. No visual sighting. |
| October 1998 | Anonymous | Golf course, Vernon, Sussex County | Three individuals saw a tall, bipedal figure crossing a fairway at dusk. It was too distant to discern details but moved upright. |
| Fall 2003 | Anonymous | Crosswicks, Burlington County | A resident saw a large, hair-covered figure in a field at twilight. It retreated into nearby woods after being noticed. |
| 2003 | Anonymous | Bass River State Park, Burlington County | A state trooper observed two large, hairy figures near a campground at night. They moved silently into the forest. |
| May 2006 | Anonymous | Near Lake Hopatcong, Sussex County | Fishermen heard possible screams or howls, attributed to an unknown animal. No visual sighting. |
| March 2010 | Anonymous | Medford, Burlington County | A resident saw a tall, dark figure in a wooded backyard at dusk. It vanished before closer inspection. |
| 2011 | Anonymous | Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Morris County | A camper, an experienced outdoorsman, saw a 7.5–8-foot black figure in daylight. It stood motionless before retreating into trees. |
| May 2013 | Anonymous | Wading Pines Campground, Chatsworth, Burlington County | A camper saw a large, hairy figure near a trail at night. It emitted a foul odor and disappeared into the forest. |
| May 2014 | Anonymous | Stokes State Forest, Sussex County | A resident reported a possible juvenile creature in a backyard, seen briefly in daylight before it fled. |
| August 2014 | Anonymous | Pleasant Acres Campground, Sussex County | A young girl catching frogs saw a creature at a distance in daylight. It was tall and hairy, vanishing quickly. |
| September 2015 | Anonymous | Near Flat Brook, Sussex County | A four-wheeler saw a tall creature standing near a stream in daylight. It moved slowly before disappearing into trees. |
| June 2019 | Anonymous | Near Chatsworth, Burlington County | A driver saw a tall, light-haired creature cross a road in the Pine Barrens. It was spotted again in the rearview mirror. |
| February 2023 | Man of Light | Millville, Cumberland County | A paranormal investigator photographed a tall, dark figure following him along railroad tracks. He felt intense fear and noted another entity watching. |
| November 2024 | Anonymous | Ocean County | A hiker reported a 7-foot, dark-haired creature crossing a trail in a remote area. It left large footprints in soft soil. |
This table represents a comprehensive compilation of New Jersey Bigfoot sightings from the BFRO database, supplemented by credible reports from local sources. Sussex County’s prominence reflects its vast wilderness, including High Point State Park and Stokes State Forest, ideal for a reclusive creature.
Burlington County’s Pine Barrens and Ocean County’s forested areas also feature heavily, suggesting diverse habitats. While some witnesses remain anonymous to avoid ridicule, their detailed accounts align with classic Sasquatch traits: bipedal movement, shaggy fur, and elusive behavior.
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Historical Context
The roots of Bigfoot sightings in New Jersey trace back to the 19th century, with newspaper accounts of “Wild Men” in areas like Morris County. An 1894 report described a hairy humanoid wielding a club, possibly an early Bigfoot encounter.
These tales, often dismissed as folklore, gained traction in the 1970s, a period marked by a national Bigfoot craze spurred by media like the 1975 film Cry of the Wild. In New Jersey, Sussex County became a hotspot, with the term Big Red Eye emerging to describe creatures with glowing eyes, a detail unique to the region’s lore.
Modern Reports
Recent New Jersey Bigfoot sightings continue to intrigue. The 2019 Chatsworth sighting and the 2023 Millville encounter highlight the persistence of reports into the 21st century. Witnesses often describe creatures moving with agility, leaping across roads or vanishing into dense brush.
The use of trail cameras and thermal sensors has increased, yet definitive proof remains elusive, keeping the debate alive among enthusiasts and skeptics.
Investigation Efforts in New Jersey
Investigating Bigfoot sightings in New Jersey involves a blend of organized research and independent exploration. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) has been a cornerstone, conducting expeditions in hotspots like the Pine Barrens and Kittatinny Mountains.
Led by investigators like Eric Spinner and Larry Rippon, BFRO teams have interviewed witnesses, analyzed footprint casts, and deployed night-vision cameras and audio recorders. Their annual expeditions, such as the 2023 North Jersey (April 27–30) and South Jersey (June 8–11) events, focus on areas with recent sightings, like Sussex and Burlington Counties.
Beyond the BFRO, independent researchers and local groups contribute significantly. Weird NJ, a magazine dedicated to the state’s oddities, has documented Bigfoot encounters alongside other paranormal phenomena, publishing firsthand accounts from residents.
For example, their reports include a 2003 Bass River State Park sighting by a state trooper, adding credibility due to the witness’s profession. The New Jersey Bigfoot Research Group, a lesser-known collective, organizes night hikes and evidence collection in the Pine Barrens, emphasizing community involvement.
Paranormal investigator “Man of Light” has gained attention for his 2023 Millville sighting, using photography to document a shadowy figure. Authors like WR Matts (Bigfoot in New Jersey: The Garden (State) Variety Sasquatch) and William Taylor (Bigfoot in the New Jersey ‘Burbs) compile detailed narratives, mapping sightings across counties.
The 2014 Finding Bigfoot episode in Sussex County, filmed at The Fountain House, showcased 14 local testimonies, highlighting the community’s engagement with the phenomenon.
These efforts face challenges, including the lack of physical evidence and the stigma surrounding Bigfoot research. Yet, the sincerity of witnesses, many of whom are reluctant to share their stories publicly, drives investigators to continue.
Technologies like thermal imaging and drone surveillance are increasingly employed, though results remain inconclusive. The collaborative spirit among researchers, from BFRO’s structured approach to grassroots initiatives, underscores New Jersey’s active role in cryptozoological exploration.
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Detailed Case Studies
November 1997 Sighting (Hamburg, Sussex County)
On November 17, 1997, at approximately 11 PM, a witness in Hamburg, Sussex County, experienced a chilling encounter on Wit’s End Drive near Route 94. Under the glow of halogen parking lot lights, the individual observed a creature, estimated at 5.5–6 feet tall and 200 pounds, rummaging through a dumpster at an apartment complex.
The creature, covered in dark brown hair 4–7 inches long, moved with humanoid grace, its bare palms visible as it sorted through trash. Standing just 20 feet away, the witness watched for a moment before panic set in.
As they fled, the creature ran 200 feet across the lot, disappearing into the darkness without a sound or odor. BFRO investigator Paul Conroy interviewed the witness, classifying the sighting as Class A due to its clarity and proximity.
The witness, who requested anonymity to avoid skepticism, provided a detailed account, noting the creature’s deliberate movements and lack of aggression. This sighting stands out for its urban-adjacent setting, challenging assumptions about Bigfoot’s habitat preferences.
July 1977 Sighting (Branchville, Sussex County)
On a late night in July 1977, five witnesses driving on Lake Owassa Road near Branchville, Sussex County, encountered a creature around 2–3 AM. As their van’s headlights illuminated the road, they saw a 7-foot-tall figure cross in three swift steps, its glaring eyes reflecting light.
The creature, described as having a human-like head, long swinging arms, and shaggy fur, moved between their van and another vehicle. The group stopped, using a road flare to search for footprints, but found none. They heard crashing sounds in the nearby brush, suggesting a large entity fleeing.
The primary witness, interviewed years later by BFRO investigator Larry Rippon, appeared on Finding Bigfoot, recounting the event with unwavering detail. Reported to the New Jersey State Police, the sighting was dismissed as a possible bear, but the witnesses insisted on its bipedal nature. The multiple perspectives and clear visibility make this a benchmark case in New Jersey Bigfoot sightings.
Spring 1977 Sighting (Wantage, Sussex County)
In the spring of 1977, Barbara Sites and her family witnessed a dramatic encounter at their farm on Wolfpit Road in Wantage, Sussex County. Around dusk, an 8-foot creature with luminous red eyes, later dubbed Big Red Eye, attacked their rabbit hutch, killing several animals. When the family’s 70-pound dog confronted it, the creature threw the dog 20 feet with one swipe.
Barbara Sites, quoted in a Daily Record article, described the creature as having massive shoulders, no visible neck, and a height of about 7 feet when standing. The family fired shots at the creature, which walked away unscathed into the woods. The incident, reported to local authorities, drew media attention but no official investigation.
Decades later, BFRO investigators interviewed Barbara, now an adult, who maintained her account’s accuracy, emphasizing the creature’s strength and eerie eyes. This sighting’s intensity, corroborated by multiple family members, elevates its significance in New Jersey’s Bigfoot lore.
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Bigfoot Sightings vs Other Cryptid Sightings in New Jersey
New Jersey’s cryptid landscape extends beyond Bigfoot sightings in New Jersey to include the iconic Jersey Devil, a winged creature with a horse-like head and a serpentine tail. Reported since the 18th century, the Jersey Devil has over a dozen documented sightings, primarily in the Pine Barrens.
A 1909 wave of sightings in Burlington and Atlantic Counties described a flying creature with glowing eyes, distinct from Bigfoot’s bipedal form. Other cryptids include the Thunderbird, a massive bird-like entity spotted in Warren County in the 1970s, and Dogman, a canine-humanoid reported in Millville alongside the 2023 Bigfoot sighting by “Man of Light.”
Historical “Wild Men” accounts from the 19th century, such as the 1894 Morris County sighting, may overlap with early Bigfoot reports, suggesting a shared folklore.
Unexplained paranormal events also dot New Jersey’s history. The Ong’s Hat conspiracy, centered in the Pine Barrens, involves tales of a secret interdimensional portal, blending supernatural intrigue with cryptid lore. Ghostly apparitions in Clinton Road, Passaic County, and unexplained lights in Jenny Jump State Forest add to the state’s mystical aura.
While no direct evidence links Bigfoot to these phenomena, their shared habitats—remote forests and swamps—suggest New Jersey’s wilderness may harbor multiple anomalies. The Lenape oral traditions, which include tales of hairy giants, further blur the lines between Bigfoot and other cryptids, enriching the state’s folklore tapestry.
Conclusion
Bigfoot sightings in New Jersey weave a compelling narrative of mystery and exploration, with 79 documented encounters painting the Garden State as an unexpected cryptid hotspot. From the Pine Barrens to the Kittatinny Mountains, these New Jersey Bigfoot sightings captivate with their vivid details and persistent allure.
Investigations by the BFRO, Weird NJ, and independent researchers like “Man of Light” highlight a dedicated quest for truth, despite the absence of definitive proof. Compared to the Jersey Devil and other cryptids, Bigfoot’s presence underscores New Jersey’s diverse paranormal landscape.
Whether a hidden species or a cultural phenomenon, Bigfoot continues to beckon adventurers and skeptics alike to explore the Garden State’s wild heart.
