The lore of Bigfoot lives on in North Carolina — and here are some of our favorite local Bigfoot sightings.

Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a creature that has been the subject of legend and speculation for many years. Described as a large, ape-like creature that walks on two legs, Bigfoot is said to inhabit remote wilderness areas in North America.

Origins of the Legend of Bigfoot

The legend of Bigfoot has its roots in Native American folklore, where it is described as a powerful, elusive creature that lives in the mountains and forests. In the 1950s and 60s, reports of sightings of Bigfoot began to gain attention in mainstream media. Since then, there have been numerous reported sightings of Bigfoot throughout North America, but nothing confirmed. Bigfoot is always one step ahead.

Descriptions of Bigfoot vary, but it is generally said to be a large, hairy creature that walks on two legs. Some reports describe it as being over eight feet tall, with a distinct odor and a deep, guttural voice. Bigfoot is said to leave behind large footprints, sometimes measuring up to 24 inches in length, which some people believe is evidence of its existence.

Bigfoot Sightings in North Carolina

Many people don’t believe that Bigfoot exists…Yeti does! Or maybe… while the existence of Bigfoot remains a matter of debate, there have been many reported sightings of the creature over the years. Some of these sightings have been documented in photographs, videos, and audio recordings. While some of these sightings have been debunked as hoaxes, others remain unexplained. In addition to sightings, some researchers claim to have found other evidence that suggests Bigfoot’s existence. For example, some have claimed to find hair samples that could belong to Bigfoot or have recorded vocalizations that they believe could be made by the creature.

The existence of Bigfoot is considered by many to be a matter of belief rather than empirical fact, and finding the creature has proven to be no small FEET. That doesn’t mean that we can’t have a bit of fun sharing some stories about him though…

The Uwharrie National Forest Sightings

In the late 1970s, there were several reported sightings of a large, ape-like creature in the Uwharrie National Forest. Witnesses reported hearing strange noises and seeing large footprints in the area.

The Cherokee Reservation Sightings

In 2014, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reported seeing a large, hairy creature near the reservation. One witness claimed to have seen the creature standing over eight feet tall.

The Cleveland County Sightings

In 2017, there were several reported sightings of a large, hairy creature in Cleveland County. One witness even claimed to have captured a blurry photo of the creature on their cell phone – but we find that claim a bit SUSquatch since we can’t find said photo anywhere!

The McDowell County Sightings

In 2019, a group of hikers in McDowell County reported seeing a large, bipedal creature with long arms and reddish-brown hair. The creature reportedly ran off into the woods after being spotted.

Lake James Sighting

In 2019, a ghostly, grainy photo of a shadowy figure standing on the banks of Lake James was captured by a research group devoted to creatures of folklore like Bigfoot, Bigfoot 911. “I locked right onto this creature and knew immediately it was a Bigfoot,” Bigfoot 911 member John Bruner told McClatchy newsgroup. “He was standing there watching us, swaying back and forth. I guess he felt safe because the four of us were in a boat and he was on shore.”

Despite the many reported sightings and other evidence, the existence of Bigfoot remains a matter of debate and skepticism. Many scientists argue that there is no concrete scientific evidence to support the existence of such a creature and that the sightings and other evidence can be explained by misidentification of known animals, hoaxes, or other natural phenomena.

Nonetheless, the legend of Bigfoot continues to fascinate many people, and some continue to search for evidence of its existence. If the lore of bigfoot has in any way captured your imagination, as it has ours, hunting for him in North Carolina might just be the vacation you need and we’re happy to give you the perfect base(camp) for the undertaking!