Complete Guide to Washington Bigfoot Sightings (1850–2025)

Nestled in the lush, verdant landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Washington state reigns as the epicenter of Bigfoot sightings in Washington, with over 700 documented encounters according to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization. The state’s sprawling forests, mist-shrouded mountains, and remote wilderness areas, such as the Olympic Peninsula and Cascade Range, provide a perfect haven for the elusive Sasquatch.

From the legendary 1924 Ape Canyon incident to recent reports in 2025, Washington Bigfoot sightings have captivated locals, researchers, and enthusiasts.

This article delves into the rich tapestry of these encounters, exploring historical accounts, detailed case studies, investigative efforts, and comparisons with other cryptids like Batsquatch and the Lake Chelan Dragon. By weaving together folklore, witness testimonies, and cultural insights, we aim to illuminate the enduring mystery of Bigfoot in the Evergreen State.

Washington Bigfoot Sightings

Washington’s dense woodlands and rugged terrain have made it a focal point for Bigfoot sightings in Washington, with reports dating back to the 1800s. Native American tribes, including the Salish and Lummi, have long shared stories of Sasquits or wild men, describing towering, hairy beings inhabiting the forests.

The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization has cataloged over 700 credible sightings, far surpassing other states like California (461) or Oregon (257). These encounters often depict a bipedal creature, 7 to 10 feet tall, covered in dark brown or black fur, with a musky odor and footprints measuring up to 24 inches.

Hotspots include Pierce County (84 sightings), Skamania County (65), Snohomish County (59), and Lewis County (54), where dense forests and minimal human activity create ideal conditions. Reports range from visual sightings to auditory phenomena like howls, wood knocks, and rock throwing.

The following table provides a comprehensive overview of notable Washington Bigfoot sightings, drawn from verified reports and organized chronologically from the earliest to 2025:

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Investigation Efforts in Washington

Investigating Bigfoot sightings in Washington is a multifaceted endeavor, blending grassroots enthusiasm with structured research. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, founded in 1995, leads these efforts, maintaining a detailed database and conducting field investigations. BFRO investigators like Scott Taylor and Matt Moneymaker interview witnesses, analyze footprints, and deploy trail cameras in areas like Skamania County and the Olympic Peninsula. Their work emphasizes Class A sightings, ensuring credibility through rigorous follow-ups.

Beyond the BFRO, the Olympic Project, based in Port Angeles, focuses on the Olympic Peninsula, a hotspot with 25 reported sightings. Led by researchers like Derek Randles, the project uses advanced technology, including thermal imaging and audio recorders, to capture evidence of Sasquatch activity.

In 2018, they discovered large, nest-like structures in Olympic National Park, speculated to be Bigfoot resting sites, though no definitive proof was found. The Washington Bigfoot Research Group, a smaller collective, organizes community expeditions in Pierce and Lewis Counties, encouraging locals to report encounters and share folklore.

Local historians, such as Marc Myrsell, have explored historical sightings like the 1924 Ape Canyon incident, cross-referencing newspaper accounts and witness descendants. Skamania County’s 1969 ordinance, which protects Bigfoot as a species, reflects community involvement, with fines for harming the creature reduced to a misdemeanor in 1984.

Other counties, including Clallam and Whatcom, have passed similar resolutions, fostering a culture of preservation and curiosity. The International Bigfoot Conference in Kennewick attracts researchers and enthusiasts annually, sharing findings and planning expeditions.

Independent researchers, like Laura Krantz of the Wild Thing podcast, have explored Washington’s Bigfoot lore, interviewing primatologists and anthropologists to assess the creature’s plausibility. Krantz’s work highlights the cultural significance of Bigfoot, connecting sightings to a human desire for wilderness mysteries.

Despite these efforts, mainstream science remains skeptical, citing the absence of DNA evidence or fossilized remains. Yet, the persistence of investigators, coupled with Washington’s rich oral traditions and frequent sightings, keeps the search for Sasquatch vibrant and engaging.

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Detailed Case Studies

1924 Ape Canyon Incident

The 1924 Ape Canyon incident remains a cornerstone of Washington Bigfoot sightings, etched into the state’s cryptid lore. In July 1924, five gold prospectors—Fred Beck, Marion Smith, Roy Smith, Gabe Lafever, and John Peterson—were mining near Mount St. Helens in Skamania County. On the evening of July 10, the group encountered four ape-like creatures, described as 7 feet tall, covered in black hair, and moving with a human-like gait. According to Beck’s 1967 account, I Fought the Ape Men of Mt. St. Helens, one miner fired at a creature, believing it fell into a gorge.

That night, the miners’ cabin was besieged. The creatures hurled rocks, some as large as basketballs, at the structure, pounded on the walls, and attempted to break in. Beck described the assault: “They were throwing rocks against the cabin, hitting the door and walls, making a terrible racket.”

The attack lasted several hours, with the miners firing back through gaps in the cabin walls. At dawn, the creatures retreated, leaving no physical evidence beyond disturbed ground. The incident, reported in The Oregonian on July 16, 1924, sparked national interest and named Ape Canyon. Beck later speculated the creatures might be supernatural, adding intrigue to the account. Skeptics suggest the miners misidentified bears or fabricated the story, but the detailed testimony and lack of motive for deception keep this case iconic.

2020 Snoqualmie Pass Sighting

On January 22, 2020, a Washington State Department of Transportation traffic camera on Interstate 90 near Snoqualmie Pass captured a humanoid figure trudging through snow. The 31-second video, posted on WSDOT’s social media, showed a 7-to-8-foot-tall, bulky figure moving across the snowy landscape. WSDOT’s caption read: “Sasquatch spotted! Our cameras caught this guy crossing I-90.” The footage went viral, amassing millions of views and sparking debate about Bigfoot sightings in Washington.

BFRO investigator Scott Taylor reviewed the footage, noting the figure’s upright posture and fluid movement, inconsistent with a human in heavy snow. The sighting occurred in King County, a known Bigfoot hotspot with 47 reports. Public reaction was mixed, with some claiming it was a hiker or prankster.

WSDOT later clarified it was likely not Bigfoot, but the event fueled speculation. The witness, in this case the camera operator, provided no direct testimony, but the footage’s clarity and the remote location lent credibility. Follow-up investigations found no tracks due to heavy snowfall, but the event underscored the role of technology in modern Bigfoot research.

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2024 Grand Mound Sighting

On February 4, 2024, a 31-year-old motorcyclist, his friend, and his 3.5-year-old son reported a Class A sighting in Thurston County near Grand Mound. The group was riding on private timberland, 30 minutes from Centralia, when they spotted a figure on a ridgetop half a mile away.

The witness reported to the BFRO: “It was very large and human-shaped, tan-brown, moving across very rugged terrain, making a bee line for the tree line. It moved so fluently with little arm movement, unlike a human running.” The figure, estimated at 10 feet tall, was visible for 30 seconds before vanishing into the forest.

BFRO investigator Scott Taylor conducted a follow-up, noting the area’s history as a Bigfoot corridor between the Capitol Forest and Bald Hills. Matt Moneymaker added: “The figure was too big to be human, moving along power line routes in broad daylight where humans rarely go.”

The witness, familiar with the region’s wildlife from years of trail riding, emphasized the creature’s size and unusual gait. No physical evidence, like tracks, was found due to the rocky terrain, but the sighting’s clarity and multiple witnesses bolster its credibility. This case highlights the ongoing nature of Washington Bigfoot sightings in less-traveled areas.

Bigfoot Sightings vs Other Cryptid Sightings in Washington

Washington’s cryptozoological landscape extends beyond Sasquatch to include a variety of enigmatic creatures, each adding to the state’s mystique. These cryptids, often reported in similar forested or aquatic environments, contribute to the region’s reputation as a paranormal hotspot. Below are key cryptids reported in Washington, with details on their sightings and potential links to Bigfoot:

• Batsquatch: A winged, ape-like creature reported near Mount St. Helens post-1980 eruption. Described as 9 feet tall with glowing red eyes and bat-like wings, a notable sighting occurred in 1994 when a teenager claimed to see it hovering near Pierce County. Its habitat overlaps with Bigfoot hotspots, leading some to speculate a shared primate origin, though no evidence connects them.
• Lake Chelan Dragon: A serpentine creature in Lake Chelan, reported since Native American times. In 1945, a boater described a 30-foot-long creature with a horse-like head near Holden Creek. Its aquatic nature contrasts with Bigfoot’s terrestrial reports, but both are tied to Chelan County’s wilderness.
• Tacoma Narrows Octopus: A giant cephalopod rumored in Puget Sound near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. A 1960s diver reported a massive octopus, possibly a Giant Pacific Octopus. Unlike Bigfoot, it’s aquatic, but both are elusive and tied to Washington’s natural mysteries.
• Cadborosaurus: A sea serpent seen in Puget Sound and British Columbia waters since the 1930s. A 1991 sighting described a 20-foot-long creature with a serpentine body and small head. Its marine habitat separates it from Bigfoot, but both fuel speculation about undiscovered species.
• Forest Man: A rare cryptid in Puget Sound forests, described as a humanoid that mimics human form. A 1978 report from Snohomish County detailed a figure approaching a home, becoming aggressive when refused aid. Its behavior echoes Bigfoot’s elusive nature, but no direct link exists.

Washington also hosts paranormal phenomena, such as unexplained lights in Yakima County or ghostly apparitions in Tacoma’s Old City Hall. The Crypticon Seattle event and International Bigfoot Conference in Kennewick highlight the state’s fascination with the supernatural. Some enthusiasts propose Bigfoot may have a paranormal dimension, possibly connecting it to phenomena like Batsquatch or Forest Man.

However, distinct physical descriptions and habitats suggest these are separate entities. The shared theme of elusiveness and wilderness ties them culturally, but no concrete evidence links Bigfoot to other cryptids or paranormal events.

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Conclusion

Washington state remains the heart of Bigfoot sightings in Washington, with over 700 encounters weaving a rich tapestry of mystery and intrigue.

From the historic Ape Canyon clash to recent 2025 reports in Skamania County, Washington Bigfoot sightings continue to captivate. The state’s vast forests, from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascade Range, provide a haven for the Sasquatch, fueling stories of hairy giants with glowing eyes and thunderous howls. Investigative efforts by groups like the Olympic Project and local researchers keep the search alive, despite scientific skepticism over missing DNA evidence.

Other cryptids, like Batsquatch and the Lake Chelan Dragon, enrich Washington’s folklore, though their connection to Bigfoot remains speculative. These tales reflect a deep human yearning for the wild and unknown, cementing Washington as a beacon for cryptozoology enthusiasts.

As the Evergreen State’s wilderness whispers its secrets, the legend of Bigfoot endures, inviting us to explore the shadows of its untamed landscapes.