Complete Guide to Rhode Island Bigfoot Sightings (1974

Nestled in the heart of New England, Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the U.S., but its dense forests, sprawling swamps, and secluded rural areas have fostered a surprising number of Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island. Known locally as Big Rhodey, this elusive, ape-like creature has captivated the imaginations of residents and researchers alike.

From fleeting glimpses in the woods to chilling encounters on quiet roads, Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings have sparked curiosity and debate, blending folklore with the persistent quest for truth.

This article delves deep into the documented reports, investigative efforts, and cultural significance of Bigfoot in Rhode Island, offering a comprehensive look at this enduring mystery. We’ll explore the most compelling sightings, compare Bigfoot with other cryptids in the state, and uncover the tireless work of local investigators seeking to unravel the enigma of Big Rhodey.

Rhode Island Bigfoot Sightings

Despite its compact size, Rhode Island boasts a remarkable history of Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island, with documented reports spanning from 1974 to 2025.

These encounters, primarily concentrated in the rural and forested regions of Washington and Providence counties, describe a towering, hairy creature with distinctive traits: a bipedal gait, a pungent odor, and, in some cases, a striking white or grey coat.

Witnesses have reported not only visual sightings but also physical evidence like oversized footprints, woven stick structures, and eerie vocalizations echoing through the woods. The state’s dense woodlands, such as the Great Swamp Management Area, and its quiet rural roads provide ideal settings for these mysterious encounters.

Below is a comprehensive table of all documented Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island, compiled from credible reports and organized chronologically from the earliest in 1974 to the most recent in 2025:

Date	Witness(es)	Location	Description
September 1974	Not publicly named	Great Swamp area, near Wakefield, Washington County, Perry Ave.	At 10:00 pm, a bicycling student observed a white, gorilla-like creature, approximately 6 feet tall and 400 pounds, with massive arms, deep-set eyes close together, a human-like nose and mouth, and black hair around the mouth. The creature’s head was peaked with enormous shoulders. It moved toward the witness, chasing them for about 10 yards, then stopped, swayed, and cleared a rock wall before disappearing into the woods.
Summer 1978	Not publicly named	Five Seasons development off RT 112, Charlestown, Washington County	During a rainstorm around 9:00 pm, a mother and son saw a large, yellow-white ape-like creature, 6 to 7 feet tall, with long hair, a flat face, long massive arms, no visible neck, and a broad chest. It stood next to a recently fallen oak tree with green leaves, observed from 1.5 car lengths away. The sighting lasted briefly before the creature vanished.
1984	Dina Palazini and three companions	Tower Hill Road, Cumberland, Providence County	Dina Palazini and three friends witnessed a creature. Specific details of the sighting are not publicly documented, but it occurred in a rural area known for its wooded terrain.
October 15, 1998	Not publicly named	Black Hut Management Area, near Glendale, Providence County, Spring Lake Road	A mountain biker observed a white or grey creature, approximately 6 feet tall, with an ape-like gait and posture. It appeared dirty, not resembling a human, with a full rear view but no clear facial details. The sighting occurred in a forested area with dense cover.
October 2006	Not publicly named	Great Swamp, South Kingstown, Washington County, Great Neck Road	A hiker discovered a young tree snapped at approximately 6 feet and a woven stick formation about 3 feet high, suggesting possible Bigfoot activity. No direct sighting occurred, but the physical evidence was notable in a swampy, secluded area.
April 15, 2010	Not publicly named	Route 6 East, near Foster, Providence County	At 2:00 am, a motorist, a professional behavior analyst, saw a bipedal figure cross the road, clearing a guardrail in one step. The sighting lasted less than 30 seconds, with the creature moving quickly into the surrounding woods.
2011	Dina Palazini and Kris Stepney	Exeter, Washington County	During an expedition, Palazini and Stepney captured video of a brownish, hairy creature with a sloped forehead, walking upright. The footage, though blurry, showed the figure moving through the woods, lasting only a few seconds.

Investigation Efforts in Rhode Island

The pursuit of Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings has drawn a dedicated community of investigators, ranging from local enthusiasts to national organizations, all seeking to uncover the truth behind Big Rhodey. While the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) has been a prominent force, other groups and individuals have significantly contributed to the investigation of these mysterious encounters, making Rhode Island a focal point for cryptozoological research.

Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO)

The BFRO, founded in 1995, has been instrumental in documenting Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island. Their investigators, including Matt Moneymaker and Dr. Wolf H. Fahrenbach, have conducted field expeditions and witness interviews to verify reports.

For example, the 1974 Wakefield sighting was investigated by Fahrenbach, who noted the swampy terrain as a potential habitat for a large, elusive creature. The BFRO’s 2011 investigation, featured in the Finding Bigfoot episode “Big Rhodey,” explored the Exeter video captured by Dina Palazini and Kris Stepney.

The team scoured the area but found no conclusive evidence, though they highlighted Rhode Island’s surprising density of sightings for its size. The BFRO’s rigorous classification system, which labels sightings as Class A (clear, close encounters) or Class B (indirect evidence), ensures that only credible reports are publicized, lending weight to Rhode Island’s documented cases.

Beyond the Veil Paranormal Research

Carl Johnson, a Pawtucket-based paranormal investigator, founded Beyond the Veil Paranormal Research and the Big Rhodey Research Project to focus specifically on Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings. Johnson’s work includes extensive fieldwork in areas like Cumberland, Exeter, and Chepachet, where he has collected evidence such as oversized footprints, unidentified hair samples, and photographs of twisted tree structures.

In September 2010, Johnson experienced a close encounter in Cumberland while performing “tree-knocking,” a technique believed to attract Bigfoot. He reported hearing heavy, stomping footsteps, likening them to an elephant walking on its hind legs, though he did not see the creature.

Johnson’s theory that Bigfoot may be a feral human, adapted to life in the wilderness, adds a unique perspective to the ongoing debate. His tireless efforts have inspired local interest and brought attention to Rhode Island’s cryptid activity.

Bigfoot Seekers

Led by Dina Palazini, the Bigfoot Seekers is an all-women research group dedicated to investigating Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island. Palazini, who authored Legend Meets Truth: Bigfoot in Rhode Island, has been a key figure in documenting sightings, including her own 1984 encounter on Tower Hill Road in Cumberland.

The group conducts expeditions in areas like the Great Swamp and Exeter, using trail cameras, audio recorders, and night-vision equipment to capture evidence. Their most notable contribution is the 2011 Exeter video, which, despite its blurriness, sparked national interest. Palazini’s team emphasizes collaboration with witnesses, encouraging them to share detailed accounts to build a comprehensive picture of Big Rhodey’s behavior and habitat.

Rhode Island Paranormal Research Group

The Rhode Island Paranormal Research Group, based in Warwick, has also explored Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island, often in conjunction with other paranormal phenomena. Led by Joe Martone, the group has investigated sightings in South Kingstown and Foster, focusing on areas with reported vocalizations and physical evidence like broken branches.

Their approach combines traditional paranormal investigation techniques, such as EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) recordings, with cryptozoological methods like footprint casting. While their primary focus is ghosts and hauntings, their work on Bigfoot has added depth to the state’s cryptid research, particularly in connecting sightings to broader unexplained phenomena.

Community Engagement and Town Halls

In 2011, a town hall meeting in East Greenwich, organized by the BFRO, brought together local residents, researchers, and enthusiasts to discuss Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings. The event, attended by dozens of people, highlighted the community’s passion for the subject, with attendees sharing personal stories of strange encounters in the woods.

Local researchers like Johnson and Palazini presented evidence, including photographs and audio recordings, fostering a sense of collective inquiry. These gatherings have continued sporadically, with smaller events hosted by groups like Beyond the Veil in places like Glocester and Charlestown, encouraging witnesses to come forward and share their experiences.

Challenges and Skepticism

Investigating Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island is not without challenges. The state’s small size and dense population make it difficult to imagine a large creature evading detection, leading skeptics to question the validity of reports. Critics argue that sightings could be misidentifications of bears, moose, or even humans in heavy clothing.

However, investigators counter that Rhode Island’s extensive undeveloped areas, such as the 3,400-acre Great Swamp Management Area, provide ample cover for a creature adept at concealment. The lack of conclusive evidence—such as DNA, clear photographs, or remains—remains a hurdle, but researchers like Johnson argue that Bigfoot’s intelligence and nocturnal habits make it exceptionally elusive.

These diverse investigative efforts, from the BFRO’s systematic approach to the grassroots work of local groups, demonstrate the depth of interest in Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings. The combination of fieldwork, community engagement, and theoretical exploration keeps the mystery of Big Rhodey alive, even as definitive proof remains just out of reach.

Detailed Case Study: The 1974 Wakefield Sighting

One of the most compelling Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island occurred in September 1974 near Wakefield, in the Great Swamp area of Washington County. At approximately 10:00 pm, a student riding a bicycle on Perry Avenue spotted a creature standing in the middle of the road.

The witness described it as a white, gorilla-like being, standing about 6 feet tall and weighing an estimated 400 pounds. Its physical features were striking: massive arms, deep-set eyes positioned close together, a human-like nose and mouth, and black hair framing the mouth. The creature’s head was peaked, and its shoulders were notably broad, giving it an imposing presence.

When it noticed the witness, it moved toward them, pursuing for approximately 10 yards before stopping abruptly. It swayed briefly, then turned and cleared a nearby rock wall in a single bound, vanishing into the dense woods.

The witness, whose name was not publicly disclosed, provided a detailed account to the BFRO, which classified the sighting as Class A due to its clarity and proximity. The Great Swamp, a 3,400-acre expanse of wetlands and forests, is known for its biodiversity and inaccessibility, making it a plausible habitat for a creature avoiding human contact.

Investigator Dr. Wolf H. Fahrenbach visited the site and noted the swamp’s thick vegetation and isolation as conducive to such an encounter. The white coloration of the creature is particularly intriguing, as it aligns with other Rhode Island reports but contrasts with the darker-haired Bigfoot described in other regions. This sighting remains a cornerstone of Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings, often cited for its vivid detail and the witness’s credibility.

Detailed Case Study: The 1978 Charlestown Sighting

In the summer of 1978, a mother and son driving through the Five Seasons development off Route 112 in Charlestown, Washington County, experienced a chilling Bigfoot sighting in Rhode Island. The encounter occurred around 9:00 pm during a rainstorm, with the car’s headlights and wipers on, illuminating the scene.

The witnesses observed a large, yellow-white ape-like creature standing beside a recently fallen oak tree, its green leaves indicating the tree had been uprooted by a recent storm. The creature stood 6 to 7 feet tall, with long, matted hair, a flat face, long, massive arms, no discernible neck, and a broad chest. Positioned just 1.5 car lengths away, the creature was clearly visible before it disappeared into the surrounding woods.

The witnesses, who remained anonymous, reported the sighting to the BFRO, which classified it as Class A due to the close proximity and multiple observers. The presence of the fallen tree may have drawn the creature into the open, as fallen timber can attract wildlife scavenging for food or shelter. The yellow-white coloration aligns with the 1974 Wakefield sighting, suggesting a regional variation of Big Rhodey.

The BFRO’s investigation noted the area’s rural setting and proximity to forested land, which could support a large, elusive creature. This sighting’s dual witnesses and detailed description make it a significant entry in the annals of Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings.

Detailed Case Study: The 2011 Exeter Video

In 2011, Dina Palazini and Kris Stepney, members of Beyond the Veil Paranormal Research, captured what they believe to be video evidence of Bigfoot in Exeter, Washington County. While conducting an expedition off Ten Rod Road, the pair filmed a brief, blurry clip showing a brownish, hairy figure moving through the woods.

The creature appeared to walk upright with a slightly hunched posture, displaying a sloped forehead and a deliberate, intelligent gait. The footage, lasting only a few seconds, was recorded as the camera panned across the forest, catching the figure emerging from behind a tree before it vanished from view.

This sighting gained significant attention when it was featured on the Animal Planet series Finding Bigfoot in the episode “Big Rhodey,” aired in early 2012. The show’s team, including BFRO founder Matt Moneymaker, analyzed the video and explored the Exeter area, known for its dense woods and history of Bigfoot reports. While the footage was not conclusive due to its low resolution, the team noted the area’s suitability for Bigfoot activity, citing its seclusion and abundant natural resources.

Palazini and Stepney, both experienced researchers, stood by their account, emphasizing the creature’s distinct features and movement. The BFRO classified the sighting as Class B, as the video lacked the clarity needed for a Class A designation, but it remains a pivotal moment in Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings, sparking renewed interest and inspiring further investigations.

Bigfoot Sightings vs Other Cryptid Sightings in Rhode Island

While Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island dominate the state’s cryptozoological narrative, Rhode Island is home to a variety of other cryptid and paranormal phenomena that contribute to its rich folklore. These creatures and events, while distinct from Bigfoot, reflect the state’s cultural fascination with the unexplained and raise questions about possible connections.

Glocester Ghoul

The Glocester Ghoul is a legendary creature reported in Glocester, Rhode Island, with the earliest sighting dating back to 1839. Described as a horned, winged beast with fireball-like eyes and the ability to breathe fire, it resembles a demonic or dragon-like entity rather than a primate like Bigfoot.

A second report in 1896 described a similar creature in the same area, reinforcing local tales of a supernatural presence in Glocester’s woods. Unlike Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings, which focus on a bipedal, ape-like creature, the Glocester Ghoul’s fantastical features suggest a mythological origin, possibly rooted in early settler fears or Native American folklore.

Block Island Monster

In 1996, a bizarre marine carcass washed ashore off Block Island, dubbed the Block Island Monster. Witnesses described it as having a long, spear-like head, fleshy whiskers, and an articulated spinal column, leading to speculation that it could be a cryptid or an unknown species. Marine biologists suggested it might be a decayed basking shark or oarfish, but its unusual appearance fueled local legends.

Unlike Bigfoot, which is terrestrial and associated with forests, this creature is tied to Rhode Island’s coastal waters, making a direct connection unlikely. However, both phenomena highlight the state’s propensity for mysterious sightings in its natural environments.

Vampire Folklore

Rhode Island has a unique history of vampire folklore, most notably the case of Mercy Brown in Exeter. In 1892, after several family members died of tuberculosis, locals believed Mercy was a vampire causing the deaths. Her body was exhumed, and her heart was burned to stop the supposed curse.

Similar cases, like those of Sarah Tillinghast and Nellie Vaughn, occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries, reflecting fears of disease and the supernatural. These stories, centered on human-like figures, differ significantly from Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island, which describe a living, animal-like creature. No direct link exists, but the cultural context of unexplained phenomena may amplify belief in creatures like Bigfoot.

Sea Serpents

Reports of sea serpents off Rhode Island’s coast, particularly in Narragansett Bay, date back centuries. Described as large, serpentine creatures with humps or coils, these sightings align with broader New England sea monster lore. Unlike Bigfoot, which is confined to terrestrial habitats, sea serpents belong to a maritime tradition, making a connection improbable.

However, the coexistence of these reports suggests Rhode Island’s diverse ecosystems—coastal waters, forests, and swamps—foster a variety of unexplained sightings.

Unexplained Phenomena

Beyond cryptids, Rhode Island has a history of paranormal activity that complements its Bigfoot lore. The Pippin Orchard Road haunting in Cranston, where residents reported ghostly figures and strange noises, and the Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Exeter, linked to the Mercy Brown vampire legend, are notable examples.

These phenomena, while distinct from Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island, share a common thread of mystery and human curiosity about the unknown. Some researchers, like Carl Johnson, speculate that Bigfoot sightings could be linked to broader paranormal activity, possibly as interdimensional beings, but no concrete evidence supports this theory.

Potential Connections

While no direct evidence links Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island to other cryptids or paranormal events, the state’s rich folklore suggests a cultural predisposition to interpreting unusual phenomena as supernatural. The dense forests of Washington and Providence counties, where most Bigfoot sightings occur, contrast with the coastal settings of sea serpent and Block Island Monster reports, suggesting different ecological niches.

However, misidentification of wildlife, such as bears or large birds, could contribute to both Bigfoot and Glocester Ghoul sightings. The vampire folklore, rooted in historical fears, reflects a different cultural context but underscores Rhode Island’s fascination with the unexplained, potentially amplifying belief in Big Rhodey.

Conclusion

Rhode Island’s small size belies its significant role in the world of cryptozoology, with Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island offering a compelling blend of mystery, evidence, and cultural intrigue. From the chilling 1974 Wakefield encounter to the widely discussed 2011 Exeter video, Rhode Island Bigfoot sightings have captured the attention of researchers and enthusiasts alike.

The tireless work of investigators like Carl Johnson, Dina Palazini, and groups like the BFRO and Bigfoot Seekers has kept the legend of Big Rhodey alive, despite the challenges of proving its existence. The state’s diverse cryptid landscape, including the Glocester Ghoul, Block Island Monster, and vampire folklore, adds depth to its supernatural narrative, though no clear connection to Bigfoot exists.

The enduring allure of Bigfoot sightings in Rhode Island lies in their ability to spark curiosity and wonder. Whether Big Rhodey is a real creature, a misidentified animal, or a product of folklore, the stories of witnesses and the dedication of researchers ensure that this mystery remains a vibrant part of Rhode Island’s cultural heritage.

As investigations continue, the forests and swamps of this tiny state will likely hold more secrets, inviting future generations to explore the enigma of Bigfoot and the unexplained wonders of Rhode Island.

Table of Contents

Rhode Island Bigfoot Sightings

Investigation Efforts in Rhode Island