Have you ever wondered if Bigfoot was real? It might sound crazy, but with 5,000–6,000 sightings of this large ape-like creature recorded in the US, you have to wonder if this cryptid could be legitimate. Some have tried to fuel their curiosity about Bigfoot’s mysterious existence by reading websites and watching documentaries, but the best way to determine if Bigfoot is real or not is to go straight to the source: the creature’s habitat.
While fanatics have not been able to pinpoint the exact area where Bigfoot may live, several places around the continental US have garnered enough sightings to make them plausible hideouts for this beast. Here is a list of five places where you might find luck in your search for the elusive Bigfoot.
Six Rivers National Forest, California
First on the list is the place where the name Bigfoot was born. In 1958, a man saw huge, humanlike footprints in the Six Rivers National Forest. While it later was revealed that his coworker had created these prints as a prank, that confession doesn’t explain the hundreds of sightings that have been documented since that day. Many people believe that this national forest is the place to find Bigfoot. Right outside of the forest is Willow Creek, California, home to a Bigfoot museum and an annual Bigfoot festival. While Bigfoot may not attend the festival or visit the museum dedicated to the creature, you might find it interesting to bond with others here in your search.
Mount St. Helens, Washington
Mount St. Helens is one of the most suitable locations for Bigfoot’s permanent home because of the dense woods and mountainous wilderness. Multiple sightings of Bigfoot have been recorded here, with stories consisting of “gorilla men” near campsites, giant footprints along the rivers, and huge creatures walking through the woods. While most of these sightings were before the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, it’s still possible that Bigfoot could be hiding away in these woods.
Sam Houston National Forest, Texas
The woods of Sam Houston National Forest have been the home to multiple encounters with Bigfoot, mostly documented by hunters and campers. The trails weaving throughout this region allow for multiple places to search for Bigfoot. Sightings of a seven-foot creature standing in the woods or on the roads are not unheard of here, drawing Bigfoot enthusiasts from all over the country.
Salt Fork State Park, Ohio
This state park makes the list with 36 Bigfoot sightings. In 2020, two men claimed they saw a huge, hairy, bipedal creature running in the woods. In honor of these sightings, the park hosts an annual Bigfoot conference to discuss the mysterious existence of Bigfoot with fellow researchers and believers. Multiple locations in the park have had sightings, including Morgan’s Knob, Parker Road, and Bigfoot Ridge. If you find yourself in Ohio, it seems this might be the place to find Bigfoot.
Appalachian Mountains
While most Bigfoot sightings appear in the northwest regions of the United States, folklore regarding Bigfoot has spread to areas in the Appalachian Mountains. The sightings span from New York all the way down to Georgia, giving Bigfoot plenty of room to roam. In Tellico Plains, Tennessee, a man recounted seeing a seven-foot creature running at a speed unlike any human or regular animal he had seen before. One hunter remembers being in the heart of the Appalachians and hearing monkey-like yells and screams from Bigfoot. If you decide to travel to the Appalachian Mountain region, consider testing legend by leaving food on tree stumps for Bigfoot. Locals say the creature will take the food and replace it with feathers or stones.
Whether you decide to visit these famous Bigfoot sites or brave uncharted territory, be prepared for the unexpected. Good luck in your search for Bigfoot!