Somewhere between the trailhead and the treeline, the truth starts to shift. What looked like a fallen log now looks… a little too cleanly snapped. Your buddy swears he heard something. You stifle a laugh, but your hand finds your flask all the same. Whether you believe in Bigfoot or just believe in staying sharp in the woods, there’s something ancient about the stories that refuse to die.

Bigfoot. Sasquatch. Yeti’s backwoods cousin. The names change, but the silhouette stays the same: Seven to nine feet tall, arms like fence posts, covered in hair thicker than your uncle’s '70s shag carpet. He’s been spotted in the Pacific Northwest, the Smokies, and even the back trails of your uncle’s hunting lease. No one’s caught him clearly on camera yet, but people have tried — with trail cams, audio traps, bait, and blind luck. If you ask around camp, someone always knows someone who swears they saw something. It always ends the same way: with someone topping off a flask and staring into the woods a little longer than usual.

Stay up-to-date with the latest trackers and sightings of the ol' skunk ape with Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO)

Gear Check: If you’re heading into Bigfoot country, we recommend a solid pair of boots, a sturdy flask, and maybe a few Wilderness Adventure Cards — in case your “just a weekend hike” turns into something… bigger.

Other Creatures That Call the Wild Home

Bigfoot’s not the only one out there. Across North America, the trees are alive with legends. 

1. The Wendigo

An emaciated figure of endless hunger, said to haunt the cold northern forests. Not the kind of thing you want knocking on your camper in the middle of winter.

Explore the history of indigenous folklore with the USC Digital Folklore Archives

2. The Ozark Howler

Black-furred, horned, and loud enough to ruin a peaceful morning. Witnesses say it’s part cat, part bear, part demon, and all attitude.

Curious which cryptid lurks in your region? Select your state to learn more with the North American Cryptids interactive map.

3. The Mothman

Maybe more urban-adjacent than wilderness-born, but his Appalachian roots earn him a mention. Red eyes, wings, and a tendency to appear before disasters. Maybe don’t ignore the chills on your neck next time you’re in West Virginia. 

The Journal of Scientific Exploration reviews the real life events attributed to this infamous cryptid. 

4. The Jersey Devil

Don’t let the name fool you — the Pine Barrens are as wild as they come. Hooved, winged, and angry. Like if a cursed goat grew a bad temper and learned to fly.

Note: Most of these sightings are… let’s call them “uncorroborated.” But if you’re headed into deep woods, maybe pack a multi-tool instead of trying to wrestle a horned cryptid bare-handed.

Read on about the folklore, hoaxes and cultural history surrounding the Jersey Devil in this exploration from the Journal of Scientific Exploration

Why We Keep Looking

Here’s the truth: most of us don’t go into the woods hoping for a normal day.

We go for the fog that rolls in low. For the silence that feels just a little too quiet. For the creak of a branch at 2 a.m. that makes us sit up in our sleeping bag and whisper, “Did you hear that?”

Whether it’s for the thrill of the unknown or just an excuse to tell a better story around the fire, cryptid hunting scratches a very old part of the human brain. The part that wants to believe. The part that’s bored of grocery store lighting and Bluetooth connectivity and just wants something real (or unreal) to chase.

Before You Head Out

If you’re going to chase legends, chase them prepared.

Bring a buddy. Bring backup socks. Bring gear that won’t quit on you just because your compass spun in a full circle and the trail markers disappeared.

• Stainless Steel Flask – Cold nights, weird sightings, and strong sips go hand in hand.

• Adventure Cards – Solid steel, laser-cut gear packed flat and held on a magnetic sheet. Build your kit before you’re 15 miles deep.

• Multi-Tool – When things get hairy (or hairy things get close), it pays to be prepared.

And if you do spot something?

Take a breath. Take a photo. And try not to run. Legends don’t chase people — but they don’t love being chased either.

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