South Dakota’s vast prairies, jagged Badlands, and shadowy Black Hills have long whispered tales of Bigfoot sightings in South Dakota. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) has documented 21 credible encounters since 1977, painting a picture of a towering, hairy creature stalking the state’s wild landscapes.
From the Lakota’s enigmatic Taku-He to modern reports of eerie howls and massive footprints, South Dakota Bigfoot sightings captivate believers and skeptics alike, blending folklore with unexplained phenomena. This article explores these sightings in depth, delving into investigations, key cases, other cryptids, and the cultural allure of South Dakota’s Sasquatch mystery.
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South Dakota Bigfoot Sightings
South Dakota’s rugged terrain, from the pine-clad Black Hills to the windswept plains, sets the stage for Bigfoot sightings in South Dakota. The BFRO has recorded 21 encounters across counties like Corson, Pennington, and Lawrence, with witnesses describing a bipedal creature, 7–9 feet tall, covered in dark fur, often leaving deep footprints or emitting chilling vocalizations.
These reports, concentrated in the Black Hills and Standing Rock Reservation, align with the state’s rich Native American lore, particularly the Lakota’s Taku-He, a “big man” figure tied to spiritual and physical mystery.
The table below compiles all known South Dakota Bigfoot sightings, sourced from BFRO reports and credible local accounts:
| Date | Witness | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1977 | Craig Two Hearts | Near Little Eagle, Corson County | A 16-year-old saw a large creature with dark brown hair emerge from trees near the Grand River, a quarter-mile away; it walked hunched with swinging arms; others were alerted but it vanished. |
| September 1977 | LeMar Bear Ribs | Near Little Eagle, Corson County | Encountered a large, dark, hairy creature; suffered a seizure upon locking eyes; two women corroborated the sighting. |
| September 1977 | Anonymous | Near McLaughlin, Corson County | A creature with long arms and a foul odor was seen near a rural property; local media reported additional howls and tracks. |
| September 1977 | Anonymous | Near McLaughlin, Corson County | Large footprints, 18 inches long, found near the Grand River; deep impressions suggested a heavy creature. |
| April 1986 | Anonymous | Brown County | A large, hairy creature was spotted in a rural area at dusk, moving swiftly through a field. |
| June 1996 | Anonymous | Meade County | A tall, bipedal figure crossed a rural road at night, disappearing into brush. |
| September 1997 | Anonymous | Near McLaughlin, Corson County | Multiple reports of a tall, hairy creature; local media noted vocalizations and tracks near the Grand River. |
| September 1997 | Anonymous | Corson County | A creature was seen near a rural homestead, moving quickly into dense vegetation. |
| August 1999 | Anonymous | Dewey County | A large, hairy figure was observed near a rural property at twilight, vanishing into trees. |
| August 1999 | Anonymous | Dewey County | Another sighting of a tall, dark creature near a forested area, reported by a local resident. |
| December 2002 | Anonymous | Near Pine Ridge, Shannon County | A creature was spotted near the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation at night, moving silently through brush. |
| November 2003 | Anonymous | Jackson County | A large, upright figure was seen in a remote area, disappearing into dense woods. |
| August 2004 | Anonymous | Black Hills, Custer County | A hairy, bipedal creature was observed at dawn near a trail in the Black Hills. |
| August 2004 | Anonymous | Black Hills, Custer County | Another sighting of a tall creature in the Black Hills, near a hiking path, reported by a camper. |
| November 2006 | Anonymous | Gregory County | A creature was seen near a rural road, moving quickly into a wooded area at dusk. |
| June 2008 | Anonymous | Black Hills, Lawrence County | A camper reported hearing heavy footsteps and rustling at night, suggesting a creature’s presence. |
| October 2012 | Anonymous | Near Devil’s Bathtub, Lawrence County | A camper felt stalked by a large creature; heard wood knocks and heavy breathing in the Black Hills. |
| June 2015 | Anonymous | Black Hills, Pennington County | A tall, hairy figure was seen near a hiking trail, moving through dense forest. |
| June 2019 | Anonymous | Near Rochford, Pennington County | Eerie, prolonged howls were heard in the early morning, consistent with Bigfoot vocalizations. |
| October 2020 | Anonymous | Black Hills, Pennington County | A large, dark figure was spotted moving through dense forest at dusk, reported by a hiker. |
| June 2025 | J.M. | Near Sturgis, Lawrence County | A police officer driving saw a 7–7.5-foot-tall creature with brown hair and an ape-like face; they locked eyes for 30 seconds before it walked away. |
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Investigation Efforts in South Dakota
The pursuit of South Dakota Bigfoot sightings blends scientific rigor, community curiosity, and cultural reverence. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), led by Matt Moneymaker, has been the cornerstone of these efforts since 1995. Their investigations focus on firsthand accounts from credible witnesses, such as the 2025 Lawrence County sighting by J.M., a police officer, classified as Class A for its clear visual encounter.
The BFRO’s meticulous process includes witness interviews, site visits, and analysis of environmental factors, like the Black Hills’ dense forests or Corson County’s riverine habitats, which are ideal for an elusive creature.
In 1977, Corson County’s “McLaughlin Monster” wave prompted significant BFRO involvement. Investigators documented footprints, 18 inches long and 2.5 inches deep, suggesting a creature weighing over 400 pounds. Local media, particularly the McLaughlin Messenger under editor Merle Lofgren, played a pivotal role.
Lofgren’s column, “From the Top of the Hill,” chronicled community reactions, from fear to fascination, and drew national attention. In September 1997, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, led by publisher Larry Fuller, chartered a plane to send reporter Tom Hasner and photographers to McLaughlin. Hasner interviewed locals, including a man who found tracks too deep for a 240-pound person to replicate, reinforcing the mystery.
Beyond the BFRO, the North America Bigfoot Search (NABS), founded by technology executives in California, has mapped South Dakota sightings, emphasizing Corson County and the Black Hills. NABS’s approach involves prolonged regional studies, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing food sources, like berries or small mammals, that might attract a creature like Bigfoot. Their work in South Dakota highlights the state’s low population density, which may allow a reclusive species to thrive undetected.
The Rocky Mountain Sasquatch Organization (RMSO) has also contributed, producing videos of Black Hills locations to contextualize sightings. Their efforts focus on visual documentation, like trail camera footage, though no conclusive images have emerged. Local initiatives, such as Keystone’s Bigfoot Bash in 2020, hosted at Dahl’s Chainsaw Art, foster community engagement.
Attendees shared stories, displayed plaster casts, and discussed evidence like hair or scat, blending folklore with investigation. The 2023 Bigfoot Bash in Hill City further amplified local interest, with residents reporting unreported sightings due to fear of ridicule.
Independent researchers, like cryptozoologist Frank Hendersen, author of Bigfoot in South Dakota: Mysterious Encounters, have explored the state’s cryptid lore, emphasizing the Black Hills’ role as a hotspot. Hendersen’s work compiles oral histories and modern reports, often tying sightings to Lakota traditions like Taku-He. Additionally, the Little Eagle Trading Post, run by Gary and Karen Alexander in 1977, served as a hub for Bigfoot hunters, offering directions and collecting reports.
Skeptics, including scientists, argue that sightings may stem from misidentified black bears, common in the Black Hills, or hoaxes, as no bones or clear photographs have been found. Yet, believers like Lofgren and witnesses like LeMar Bear Ribs counter that the consistency of reports—large footprints, eerie vocalizations, and fleeting glimpses—defies easy dismissal. These diverse efforts, from formal organizations to grassroots events, keep South Dakota’s Bigfoot mystery vibrant and unresolved.
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Detailed Case Studies: Notable Bigfoot Sightings in South Dakota
Three South Dakota Bigfoot sightings stand out for their detail, credibility, and cultural impact. Below, we dive into these cases, focusing on documented witness testimonials without embellishment.
August 1977, Corson County (Craig Two Hearts Sighting)
On a late August day in 1977, 16-year-old Craig Two Hearts was performing maintenance on his aunt’s house near Little Eagle, Corson County, when he noticed a large creature emerge from trees near the Grand River, about a quarter-mile away. He told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, “It was a large creature with dark brown hair. It walked with its back hunched and arms swinging at its side.”
By the time he alerted others, the creature had vanished into the brush. His account, initially met with skepticism, gained traction when LeMar Bear Ribs reported a similar sighting weeks later. The BFRO investigated, documenting additional reports of 18-inch footprints and howls, dubbed the “McLaughlin Monster” by locals.
The McLaughlin Messenger reported community reactions, with editor Merle Lofgren noting, “People were both scared and curious, flocking to the Trading Post to share stories.” This wave of sightings, centered on the Standing Rock Reservation, remains one of South Dakota’s most significant cryptozoological events.
September 1977, Corson County (LeMar Bear Ribs Sighting)
In early September 1977, LeMar Bear Ribs encountered a creature near Little Eagle, Corson County, that left a lasting impact. According to a Hangar1publishing account, Bear Ribs described the creature as a “big hairy man” and suffered a seizure upon locking eyes with it. Two women who witnessed the event corroborated his story, reporting a tall, dark, hairy figure with an imposing presence.
The intensity of the encounter required medical attention for Bear Ribs, highlighting its traumatic effect. The BFRO’s investigation noted the area’s proximity to the Grand River and its dense vegetation, ideal for an elusive creature. The sighting, part of the 1977 “McLaughlin Monster” wave, drew media attention and solidified Corson County’s status as a Bigfoot hotspot.
June 2025, Lawrence County (J.M. Sighting)
In June 2025, a police officer named J.M. experienced a close-range encounter while driving near Sturgis, Lawrence County. J.M. reported to the BFRO, “I heard a loud deep-toned grunt and a stomp at the same time. I turned around and saw it through the brush about 20 yards away—a creature probably 7 to 7.5 feet tall with long brown hair, an ape-like face, and long arms. We watched each other for probably thirty seconds but felt like forever before it turned and walked off. I’m a police officer and had no clue what to make of it. At this point as much as I didn’t want to admit it I am convinced it was a Bigfoot.”
The BFRO classified this as a Class A sighting due to the daylight conditions and J.M.’s credibility. The Black Hills’ dense forests and proximity to trails like Centennial Trail make it a plausible habitat. No physical evidence was found, but the prolonged observation adds weight to the report.
These cases, spanning decades and regions, highlight the enduring allure of South Dakota Bigfoot sightings, blending credible accounts with cultural and environmental context.
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Bigfoot Sightings vs Other Cryptid Sightings in South Dakota
South Dakota’s cryptozoological landscape extends beyond Bigfoot, with creatures like Taku-He, Badlands Banshee, and Miniwashitu rooted in Native American lore and local tales. These cryptids, while sharing the state’s wild terrains, differ significantly from South Dakota Bigfoot sightings.
Taku-He
Taku-He, a Lakota figure meaning “big man,” is often depicted as a tall, hairy creature, sometimes wearing a top hat or coat. Sightings, particularly near Sica Hollow State Park, describe a bipedal figure with glowing eyes, closely resembling Bigfoot. Lakota oral traditions portray Taku-He as a guardian or malevolent spirit, suggesting it may be a cultural lens for Bigfoot sightings. For example, LeMar Bear Ribs’ 1977 encounter aligns with Taku-He descriptions, hinting at a shared identity.
Badlands Banshee
The Badlands Banshee is a spectral entity known for its wailing cries in the Badlands’ eroded landscapes. Reported as a ghostly figure, it lacks the physicality of Bigfoot, with no direct overlap in sightings. Its supernatural nature ties it to the region’s eerie ambiance rather than Sasquatch lore.
Walking Sam
Walking Sam, a tall, shadowy figure linked to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, is said to stalk individuals, often in supernatural contexts. While its humanoid form echoes Bigfoot, its spectral nature and lack of physical evidence distinguish it. Sightings, primarily in Shannon County, share no direct link with Bigfoot reports.
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Spirit Mound Dwarves
Spirit Mound Dwarves, tied to Spirit Mound near Vermillion, are small, fierce creatures from Lakota and Dakota lore. Unlike Bigfoot’s solitary, towering presence, these dwarves are a collective race, with no reported overlap in encounters.
Miniwashitu
The Miniwashitu, or Missouri River Monster, is a bipedal, buffalo-like creature primarily reported in North Dakota but occasionally linked to South Dakota’s Missouri River. Its aquatic, horned appearance contrasts with Bigfoot’s terrestrial, primate-like traits, ruling out a connection.
Lake Campbell Creature
In 1934, a farmer near Lake Campbell reported a large, dinosaur-like creature crossing a road, leaving large footprints and linked to missing livestock. This sighting, distinct from Bigfoot’s humanoid form, suggests a separate cryptid, possibly a misidentified animal or hoax.
Other unexplained phenomena include UFO sightings, with 154.06 per 100,000 people in Lawrence County, and ghostly apparitions at sites like the Bullock Hotel in Deadwood. These paranormal events, while contributing to South Dakota’s mystique, lack direct ties to Bigfoot, though the Black Hills’ reputation for strange activity may amplify cryptid reports. The overlap of Taku-He with Bigfoot suggests a cultural connection, but other cryptids’ distinct traits point to separate legends rooted in South Dakota’s diverse landscapes.
Conclusion
South Dakota Bigfoot sightings weave a tapestry of mystery across the state’s prairies, Badlands, and Black Hills. With 21 documented encounters since 1977, from Craig Two Hearts’ 1977 sighting to J.M.’s 2025 report, these accounts, backed by BFRO investigations and local media, highlight a consistent creature: tall, hairy, and elusive.
Other cryptids, like Taku-He and the Badlands Banshee, enrich South Dakota’s folklore, with Taku-He offering a potential cultural parallel to Bigfoot. Skeptics cite misidentified bears or hoaxes, but the persistence of credible witnesses keeps the debate alive.
Bigfoot sightings in South Dakota continue to spark curiosity, drawing adventurers to explore the state’s wild heart and fueling tales that blend science, culture, and the unknown.
