Bigfoot Names in Every State + Real Sighting Stories

Jun 9

From mossy forests to vast deserts, tales of Bigfoot—or a creature like him—have been whispered across every U.S. state. Often known as Sasquatch, this cryptid goes by many local names depending on the culture, environment, and community. Let’s take a trip through all 50 states and meet the version of Bigfoot that haunts each one. Along the way, we’ll explore local sightings, urban legends, and unexplained phenomena that fuel America's fascination with mysterious creatures.

Alabama — "White Thang" In the deep woods of Alabama, locals whisper of the "White Thang," a pale, seven-foot-tall creature that moves with supernatural speed. In the 1940s, farmers reported livestock mutilations and eerie howls unlike any native animal.

Alaska — "Bushman" or "Arulataq" In the vast, icy wilderness of Alaska, the native Yupik people speak of the Arulataq, a wild, hairy man who steals people away in storms. Hunters have described seeing massive prints in remote snowbanks, too large for any known bear.

Arizona — "Mogollon Monster" Deep in the Mogollon Rim forest, hikers report a tall, foul-smelling creature covered in reddish-brown hair. One camper in the 1980s recalled waking up to see a shadowy figure rummaging through their backpack.

Arkansas — "Fouke Monster" Made famous by the 1972 film The Legend of Boggy Creek, the Fouke Monster is said to roam the swamps near Texarkana. It’s a cornerstone of Arkansas folklore, with reports of it peering through windows and stealing livestock.

California — "Sierra Sasquatch" or "Wild Man" Northern California is Bigfoot central, especially around the Sierra Nevada. In Bluff Creek, the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film allegedly captured a female Sasquatch walking into the woods.

Colorado — "Rocky Mountain Sasquatch" Sightings along Pike National Forest tell of a towering beast watching hikers from the tree line. In 2008, a group of backpackers found a string of 19-inch footprints stretching across a snowy pass.

Connecticut — "Winsted Wildman" In the late 1800s, newspaper reports from Winsted told of a wild, hairy man terrorizing the countryside. Locals still claim eerie encounters in the wooded hills.

Delaware — "Swamp Beast" Fewer sightings, but Delaware’s Great Cypress Swamp has birthed legends of a shadowy cryptid with glowing eyes seen just before thunderstorms.

Florida — "Skunk Ape" Swampy, stinky, and seen around the Everglades, Florida’s Skunk Ape is a southern Bigfoot variant. A park ranger snapped a blurry photo in the '90s of a hulking figure near Ochopee.

Georgia — "Elkins Creek Beast" North Georgia hikers tell of the Elkins Creek Beast, a creature with red eyes and a deep, moaning howl. In 2001, a hunter recorded long, low growls believed to be from the beast.

Hawaii — "Menehune Giants" Though the Menehune are traditionally small in Hawaiian legend, some stories mention towering forest guardians resembling Sasquatch. No major sightings, but whispers persist.

Idaho — "Gem State Bigfoot" The Panhandle forests of Idaho hide tales of hulking creatures. A 1997 river guide saw a hairy figure bathing in a remote creek. She never returned to that area.

Illinois — "Big Muddy Monster" Near Murphysboro, the Big Muddy Monster emerged in the 1970s, described as 8 feet tall and covered in white fur. Police took official reports for two weeks during peak sightings.

Indiana — "Beast of the Woods" State forests harbor tales of a shadowy figure. Campers say they’ve heard guttural breathing and twigs snapping, only to find 16-inch footprints in the mud.

Iowa — "Woodbooger" The term “Woodbooger” spans several states, but in Iowa, he’s a hayfield haunter. In 1969, kids playing near a barn swore they saw something watching them from the cornfield.

Kansas — "Kansas Wildman" Out in the Flint Hills, an upright creature covered in dark hair was reported chasing deer. A hunter in 1993 left his stand early after spotting it tracking him.

Kentucky — "Hillbilly Beast" Eastern Kentucky is rich with cryptid lore. This beast is tall, aggressive, and makes terrifying screeches. Some say it was seen during a coal strike in the 1970s.

Louisiana — "Honey Island Swamp Monster" In the murky Honey Island Swamp, this cryptid leaves webbed footprints. A hunter in 1974 found strange hair samples on a damaged canoe.

Maine — "Durham Gorilla" In 1973, sightings in Durham described a gorilla-like beast rummaging through trash. Police filed a report, and locals still leave out trail cams hoping to catch it.

Maryland — "Goatman or Bigfoot" While Goatman grabs headlines, Bigfoot-like sightings near the Patapsco River include eerie howls and eyeshine caught on camera.

Massachusetts — "Berkshire Sasquatch" In the dense Berkshire forests, campers have reported tree knocks and distant howls. One couple in 2010 swore they saw a creature throw a log across a path.

Michigan — "Michigan Dogman and Sasquatch" The Dogman often overshadows Bigfoot in Michigan, but both are reported. In the Upper Peninsula, fishers say something massive roams the pine forests.

Minnesota — "Minnesota Iceman" Allegedly discovered in the '60s, the frozen body of a cryptid dubbed the Iceman was toured in a traveling exhibit. While the story faded, northern woods sightings persist.

Mississippi — "Bigfoot of the Delta" Along the Mississippi River, shadowy figures are seen near the levees. One hunter claims to have locked eyes with a red-eyed, 8-foot beast in 1983.

Missouri — "Momo the Monster" Momo, short for "Missouri Monster," made headlines in the '70s after terrorizing a small town. Footprints and odd smells were all that remained.

Montana — "Flathead Lake Bigfoot" Often spotted near water, Montana’s version has been linked to both forest sightings and strange lake ripples. Hikers report a musky smell and broken branches in its wake.

Nebraska — "Prairie Sasquatch" Open grasslands seem unlikely, but witnesses say a tall, brown creature crossed a dirt road near Ogallala in 2010 and vanished into thin air.

Nevada — "Desert Sasquatch" Around Mount Charleston, this Bigfoot is said to adapt to dry terrain. A hiker reported seeing it drink from a spring during a heatwave.

New Hampshire — "White Mountain Wildman" In winter, hikers have reported massive prints in fresh snow with no signs of turning back. A solo backpacker claimed she heard it mimic her whistle.

New Jersey — "Big Red Eye" Often overshadowed by the Jersey Devil, the Big Red Eye is a hairy, red-eyed cryptid in Sussex County. Campers say it stalks silently through trees.

New Mexico — "Desert Apeman" Near the Rio Grande, sightings describe a matted-hair beast that vanishes in sandstorms. Navajo lore includes similar beings.

New York — "Kinderhook Creature" Hudson Valley forests have a long history of Sasquatch reports. In the '90s, a boy scout troop reported a close encounter during a night hike.

North Carolina — "Knobby" Nicknamed Knobby, this Bigfoot version lives near the Uwharrie National Forest. Newspaper reports in the 1970s described multiple daylight sightings.

North Dakota — "Red River Howler" A vocal creature reportedly roams the riverbanks, howling at dusk. Its cries echo eerily through the flatlands.

Ohio — "Grassman" Tall and shaggy, the Ohio Grassman lurks near Salt Fork State Park. Multiple sightings have kept this Sasquatch cousin in the national cryptid conversation.

Oklahoma — "Green Hill Monster" In eastern Oklahoma, witnesses describe a Bigfoot-like being that moves silently among pine trees. Tracks have been found near broken branches.

Oregon — "Columbia Sasquatch" One of the most active Bigfoot regions, Oregon forests are a hotbed. Trail cams have picked up odd shapes and vocalizations near the Cascades.

Pennsylvania — "Forest Giant" In Allegheny forests, hunters and hikers claim sightings of a broad-shouldered humanoid. One said it mimicked a turkey call before vanishing.

Rhode Island — "Swamp Squatch" Despite its size, Rhode Island has had odd sightings in marshy areas. A retired police officer said he caught glimpse of something darting into cattails.

South Carolina — "Lizard Man and Bigfoot" While Lizard Man reigns, reports of tall, hairy bipeds roam the Congaree. One family swears they saw a creature staring from the treeline at dusk.

South Dakota — "Black Hills Bigfoot" Native legends and modern sightings converge in the Black Hills. A tribal elder recalled stories of a spirit guardian walking the ridges.

Tennessee — "Smoky Mountain Sasquatch" In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, rangers report unofficial sightings of tree knocks and low growls. Campers share tales of something circling their tents.

Texas — "Wild Man of the Navidad" This pre-Civil War legend predates the term Bigfoot. It described a large, hairy creature seen stealing livestock and leaving massive tracks.

Utah — "Beast of the Uintas" The Uinta Mountains hold secrets, including sightings of a Bigfoot-like creature. In 2012, a hiker videoed a shadowy figure scrambling up a rock face.

Vermont — "Bennington Monster" Linked to the mysterious Bennington Triangle, this cryptid has been spotted crossing roads and vanishing into thick fog.

Virginia — "Wood Devil" Blue Ridge hikers claim to hear eerie wood knocks and see fleeting shadows. The Wood Devil is said to stalk at sunrise.

Washington — "Sasquatch" This is where the legend took root. From Mt. St. Helens to Olympic National Park, sightings are numerous. Home to cryptozoology researchers and Sasquatch HQ.

West Virginia — "Yahoo" Before Mothman, there was the Yahoo. Appalachian tales describe it as loud, wild, and territorial. Coal miners told tales of it blocking paths.

Wisconsin — "Beast of Bray Road" Often thought of as a werewolf, some sightings blur the lines with Bigfoot. Large, upright creatures have been spotted in dairy pastures.

Wyoming — "Snow Walker" High-altitude sightings of a pale, ape-like creature trekking ridgelines have surfaced. In 2004, a climber spotted it through binoculars.

Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Skunk Ape, Grassman—whatever name he goes by, this mysterious creature is a national obsession. Each state’s version of the legend adds a local twist, reinforcing the idea that we are never too far from the unexplained. Whether you're exploring folklore or hoping to catch a glimpse yourself, one thing is certain: cryptid culture is alive and well.

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