Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a legendary creature believed to roam the forests of North America. The term “Bigfoot” came into widespread use in 1958 and describes a large, hairy humanoid. This enigmatic figure has sparked countless reports and continuous intrigue over the years.
To determine the states with the most Bigfoot sightings in the US, we referred to the “Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) Sightings Database.” This resource collects and organizes reports of Bigfoot sightings, providing a comprehensive overview of where these elusive encounters are most frequently reported. Here’s our list based on the latest data from the BFRO’s geographic database.
Washington – 721 Sightings
Washington leads the nation with the highest number of Bigfoot sightings, boasting 721 reported cases. The dense forests of the Pacific Northwest, particularly around the Cascade Range, provide the perfect environment for Bigfoot. The state’s most notable sighting occurred in 1967 at Bluff Creek by Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin, captured in the famous Patterson-Gimlin film.
The latest reported sighting, documented in April 2024 in Thurston County, involved two pedestrians who encountered a Sasquatch just three miles south of Littlerock near the Black River.
California – 461 Sightings
The latest sighting, from October 2022, occurred near the South Fork American River in El Dorado County. An avid equestrian reported seeing a reddish-brown figure and witnessed trees being violently shaken. This sighting continues to fuel the intrigue surrounding Bigfoot in California.
Florida – 343 Sightings
In Florida, Bigfoot is known as the Skunk Ape due to its reported foul smell. With 343 sightings, the State takes the third place on our list. The Everglades and other swampy areas of southern Florida are prime spots for sightings. The Skunk Ape is a unique variant of Bigfoot that adds a regional flavor to the legend.
The most recent report, from October 2023, involved a motorist who saw a large, dark figure crossing County Road 229 near New River, north of Gainesville.
Ohio – 323 Sightings
Ohio may not be the first state that comes to mind for Bigfoot sightings, but it ranks high with 323 reports, especially in the eastern and southeastern regions. The Ohio Grassman, a local Bigfoot variant, is often seen in forests and hills. The Minerva Monster, first reported in the late 1970s, is Ohio’s most famous sighting.
The latest report, from February 2024, describes a road crossing near New Philadelphia. Witnesses saw a tall, brown, bipedal creature with long, wavy hair.
Illinois – 303 Sightings
Most of Illinois’ reports come from wooded and rural areas. The Shawnee National Forest and areas around the Mississippi River are notable hotspots. The creature, often described as large and hairy, has been a part of local lore for years.
The latest sighting, from April 2024, involved a daylight road crossing near Fox River, south of Plano. Witnesses reported a seven-foot-tall humanoid with dark hair crossing the road in three steps.
Oregon – 260 Sightings
Oregon’s vast wilderness areas are ripe for Bigfoot sightings. The state’s Cascade Mountains and the dense forests along the Coast Range are among the hottest locations for possible encounters. The last reported encounter was from August 2023, when backpackers on the east flank of Mt. Hood heard loud wood knocks between midnight and 3 a.m. This behavior suggests possible Sasquatch activity.
Texas – 257 Sightings
Texas, with its diverse landscapes, is a notable location for Bigfoot sightings, particularly in the dense forests of East Texas around the Big Thicket National Preserve. The state adds its unique twist to the Bigfoot lore with stories like the “Lake Worth Monster” near Fort Worth.
The latest report, from April 2024, involved a sighting of a Bigfoot track near the Sulphur River outside Bogota. The witness found a large footprint in a secluded area, suggesting possible Bigfoot activity.
Michigan – 225 Sightings
Michigan’s Bigfoot, sometimes called the Dewey Lake Monster, has been a part of local folklore for decades. According to reports, the state’s Upper Peninsula and the northern part of the Lower Peninsula are among the hotspots for Bigfoot sightings. Vast wilderness areas, including the Huron-Manistee National Forest, have been suggested to provide an ideal habitat for the species.
In the most recent sighting, from February 2023, the witness reported having heard an eerie, “distinct and very loud knock” in the woods for three successive nights as he ventured outside his lakeside cabin at Mackinac County, suggesting possible sasquatch activity in the vicinity.
Missouri – 167 Sightings
Missouri’s Ozark Mountains and the Mark Twain National Forest are common locations for Bigfoot sightings. In this State, the creature is locally known as the Momo, aka the Missouri Monster. Sightings have been reported in the vast rural interior of the State since the early 1970s.
The latest report, from August 2023, involved a resident near Holt who saw two sets of large green eyes reflecting in a spotlight around 1 a.m. The creature claimed to be 7ft tall, peeked from behind a bush, leading to a chilling encounter.
Georgia – 140 Sightings
In Georgia, most Bigfoot sightings occur in the northern part of the state, particularly in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Georgia Bigfoot, sometimes referred to as the “Georgia Gorilla,” has been a part of local legend, with sightings dating back to the early 1900s.
At Cherokee County, a resident has claimed to have heard a “mournful howl” in the middle of the night. The witness suggested that the “howl,” as they heard, could be of a humanoid or larger animal. The incident, reported on December 17, 2022, was the last reported possible bigfoot activity in the State.
Colorado – 130 Sightings
The mountainous region of Colorado has long been a hotspot for bigfoot sightings. In 1926, the State encountered its first reported sighting at Jackson County.
In 2023, a couple reported a “bigfoot” sighting in the San Juan Mountain range area of the State during a train ride. While looking for elk, the witnesses claimed, they spotted a furry, brown creature resembling the mythical character.
Pennsylvania – 127 Sightings
The State of Pennsylvania has its share in the making of this legend. The reports of sightings in this State date back to the 1920s. Most of these reports have been from the Cambria and Allegheny counties of the State.
The latest report was from December 2022. According to the report, the witness heard a recurrent knocking sound in the woods during a hunting trip in Potter County. If the past reports are not overlooked, bigfoot activity cannot be ruled out.
