Complete Guide to Virginia Bigfoot Sightings (1879–2025)

The legend of Bigfoot, often called Sasquatch, captivates imaginations with tales of a towering, hairy, bipedal creature lurking in North America’s wilderness. In Virginia, Bigfoot sightings in Virginia weave a compelling narrative, rooted in the state’s sprawling forests, misty Appalachian Mountains, and shadowy Shenandoah Valley.

With 88 documented Virginia Bigfoot sightings as of 2025, according to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), the state ranks among the top for cryptid encounters in the eastern United States. These reports describe encounters with a creature marked by its massive stature, pungent odor, and eerie vocalizations.

This article delves into the rich history of Bigfoot sightings in Virginia, offering a detailed examination of documented reports, local investigation efforts, significant case studies, and comparisons with other cryptids. Through firsthand accounts, cultural context, and ongoing research, we explore the enduring mystery of Virginia’s elusive Sasquatch.

Virginia Bigfoot Sightings

Virginia’s rugged terrain, from the dense George Washington and Jefferson National Forests to the swampy Great Dismal Swamp, creates a perfect backdrop for Bigfoot sightings in Virginia. The BFRO has cataloged 88 credible reports since the late 19th century, with encounters ranging from fleeting glimpses to chilling auditory experiences.

Witnesses consistently describe a creature standing 6 to 9 feet tall, covered in dark or reddish fur, often leaving behind massive footprints or emitting guttural howls. Sightings cluster in counties like Rockingham (7 reports), Giles (4 reports), and Warren (4 reports), though reports span the state’s diverse landscapes, from coastal plains to mountainous ridges.

The phenomenon is steeped in Virginia’s cultural tapestry, with early accounts tied to Native American folklore describing hairy giants in the wilderness. Modern sightings often involve hunters, hikers, or rural residents who encounter the creature in remote settings, fueling local legends of the Old Man of the Mountain.

Below is a comprehensive table of some of the best-documented Virginia Bigfoot sightings, compiled from BFRO records and other credible sources, organized chronologically from the earliest known report to 2025.

Table of Bigfoot Sightings in Virginia:

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Investigation Efforts in Virginia

Investigating Bigfoot sightings in Virginia is a dedicated pursuit, blending scientific rigor with a passion for the unknown. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), founded by Matt Moneymaker, leads these efforts nationally, maintaining a rigorous vetting process for Virginia’s 88 reported sightings.

BFRO investigators, such as Aaron B., conduct on-site interviews, analyze physical evidence like footprints with midtarsal breaks, and record vocalizations, such as the “Ohio Howl” heard in Accomack County. Their expeditions, often in hotspots like Rockingham County or Giles County, use thermal imaging, trail cameras, and audio recorders to capture evidence, though definitive proof remains elusive.

The Virginia Bigfoot Research Organization (VBRO), led by William Dranginis, is a cornerstone of local efforts. Based in Manassas, Dranginis has transformed an old veterinary van into a mobile “Bigfoot Primate Research Lab,” equipped with $5,000 worth of surveillance gear, including motion-sensor cameras and thermal imaging.

VBRO organizes expeditions in areas like Spotsylvania County, where 14 sightings have been reported near Lake Anna. Dranginis emphasizes “shamanistic awareness” alongside scientific methods, aiming to establish peaceful contact with the creature. His team has documented tree signs, scat, and vocalizations, distinguishing Bigfoot tracks from those of bears or humans.

Other groups contribute to Virginia’s cryptid investigations. Sasquatch Watch of Virginia, led by Billy Willard, conducts field research in areas with recurring encounters, such as Southwest Virginia. Willard’s team focuses on physical evidence, like tracks showing a midtarsal break, and has investigated sightings near Hungry Mother State Park.

The Appalachian Investigators of Mysterious Sightings (AIMS), featured on the TV show Mountain Monsters, has explored Virginia’s cryptid hotspots, including Bigfoot reports in Tazewell County.

Local enthusiasts, like Daniel Benoit of Augusta County, lead annual expeditions in the Appalachian Mountains, teaching participants to identify scat, tree marks, and vocalizations. Benoit’s 2024 expedition near Wintergreen noted three sets of eyeshine at varying heights, suggesting a family group.

Community events, such as the Virginia Bigfoot Conference in Weyers Cave, held annually in June, bring together researchers, witnesses, and skeptics. The 2024 Blue Ridge Bigfoot Fest at Wintergreen Resort, despite addressing a local hoax, featured speakers like Benoit and vendors selling Bigfoot-themed merchandise, highlighting the creature’s cultural impact.

These efforts, combined with public engagement, keep Virginia’s Bigfoot mystery vibrant, even as skeptics question the lack of concrete evidence like bones or DNA.

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Detailed Case Studies

Accomack County Sighting (June 2007)

• Date: June 2007
• Witness: Not named
• Location: Near Sanford, Accomack County, Virginia
• Description: A group of campers near Sanford experienced unsettling auditory encounters over two nights. On the first night, around 2:00 AM, they heard two distinct howls, described as a blend of a woman’s scream and a guttural roar, lasting approximately 10 minutes. The sounds, resembling the BFRO’s “Ohio Howl,” were accompanied by frantic barking from local dogs. On the second night, at 1:30 AM, the campers again heard similar vocalizations, prompting them to break camp early. The area, a mix of pine forests, tidal swamps, and farmland, is rich in wildlife, potentially supporting a large primate. BFRO investigator Aaron B. noted the consistency of the howls with other Bigfoot vocalizations and suggested the presence of a small family group, given the multiple voices heard. No visual sighting occurred, but the auditory evidence remains a compelling case in Virginia’s Bigfoot lore.

Intracoastal Waterway Sighting (June 28, 2014)

• Date: June 28, 2014
• Witness: Randy O’Neal’s father
• Location: Intracoastal Waterway, Virginia
• Description: While fishing along the Intracoastal Waterway, Randy O’Neal’s father captured a photograph of a dark, bipedal figure walking near a river, using an old-style flip phone. The figure, covered in dark brown hair, stood upright and was clearly distinguishable from a bear or human. O’Neal reported the sighting on YouTube, noting that he and his father had been camping in the area for 25 years. During a previous trip, O’Neal recalled seeing glowing red eyes watching them from bushes near their campfire. His father, skeptical at the time, fired a shot at the bushes, causing the unseen creature to flee through the woods. The 2014 photograph, though low-resolution, shows a clear humanoid shape, consistent with Bigfoot descriptions. The Great Dismal Swamp, near the sighting location, is a known hotspot for Bigfoot activity, adding credibility to the report. O’Neal faced skepticism but maintained he only documented an unexplained creature, not definitively Bigfoot.

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Bedford County Sighting (September 2015)

• Date: September 2015
• Witness: Not named
• Location: Bedford County, Virginia
• Description: A motorist driving at night along a rural road in Bedford County initially mistook a figure for a deer but soon realized it was a red-haired Bigfoot carrying a smaller figure, possibly a juvenile. The creature, illuminated by headlights, was walking upright along the roadside, its reddish fur and bipedal gait distinguishing it from local wildlife. The motorist reported the sighting to the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, but the dispatcher expressed skepticism, noting no similar reports. The sighting is significant for its rare description of a Bigfoot with a potential offspring, suggesting social behavior. The forested terrain of Bedford County, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, aligns with other Bigfoot hotspots, making this a notable case despite the lack of photographic evidence.

Bigfoot Sightings vs Other Cryptid Sightings in Virginia

Virginia’s folklore extends beyond Bigfoot sightings in Virginia to include a variety of cryptids and unexplained phenomena. Other notable cryptids reported in the state include:

• The Goatman: Frequently sighted in Fairfax County near the Occoquan River, this half-man, half-goat creature is part of local urban legends. Reports from the 1970s describe a creature attacking cars or lurking in wooded areas, often accompanied by eerie screams. A 1971 sighting by teenagers near Colchester Road reported a bipedal figure with horns and glowing eyes.
• The Snallygaster: A winged, dragon-like creature rooted in Appalachian folklore, reported in Virginia and Maryland since the 18th century. A 1909 sighting in Frederick County described a reptilian beast with wings and a metallic beak, swooping over farmlands. Its legend persists in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• The Pig Man: A humanoid with a pig’s head, reported in the Shenandoah Valley. A 1980s account from Rockingham County described a creature lurking near a barn, leaving cloven hoofprints. Local stories tie it to ghostly apparitions and abandoned farms.
• Mothman-like Creatures: Rare reports from Southwest Virginia describe a winged humanoid with red eyes, similar to West Virginia’s Mothman. A 1990s sighting in Bristol noted a dark figure hovering above a field at night.

Virginia also hosts paranormal phenomena, such as ghostly apparitions in historic Williamsburg, where colonial-era spirits are reported in taverns and homes. UFO sightings are common, particularly in Virginia Beach, with a 2019 report describing a triangular craft with bright lights. The Great Dismal Swamp is a hotspot for unexplained lights and disembodied voices, often linked to Native American legends.

While no direct evidence links these cryptids to Bigfoot, their shared habitats—remote forests, swamps, and mountains—suggest environmental factors may inspire such reports. The Appalachian region’s dense cover and isolation could support elusive creatures or fuel imaginative storytelling. Cultural overlaps, such as Native American tales of hairy giants and winged beings, hint at a shared mythological framework, though physical evidence remains absent.

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Conclusion

Virginia Bigfoot sightings form a captivating chapter in the state’s folklore, with 88 documented reports as of 2025 painting a vivid picture of an elusive creature.

From the chilling howls in Accomack County to the photographic evidence along the Intracoastal Waterway, these encounters spark curiosity and debate. Investigation efforts by the BFRO, VBRO, and local enthusiasts like Daniel Benoit highlight Virginia’s commitment to unraveling the mystery, using advanced technology and community engagement.

Other cryptids, like the Goatman and Snallygaster, enrich Virginia’s supernatural landscape, sharing the same shadowy terrains as Bigfoot.

Whether Bigfoot sightings in Virginia reflect an undiscovered species, misidentifications, or cultural legends, they remain a testament to the state’s wild beauty and enduring fascination with the unknown. The hunt for answers continues, inviting adventurers to explore Virginia’s forests and perhaps glimpse the elusive Sasquatch themselves.