Overlanding into Bigfoot Country: For generations, whispers of Sasquatch sightings in the South have echoed through pine forests, misty swamps, and remote Appalachian ridges. Campfire stories, blurry photos, and strange footprints have kept the legend alive — but for Jeepers and overlanders, those same landscapes double as some of the best places to explore in the backcountry. From the haunted bottomlands of Arkansas’s Fouke Monster, to Florida’s Everglades Skunk Ape, the South is home to both unforgettable overlanding trails and a steady stream of Bigfoot lore. Whether you’re a skeptical adventurer or a true believer in cryptids, there’s something undeniably thrilling about rolling into a remote campsite knowing the same woods have been the stage for decades of strange encounters. This guide blends the best overland routes with the most famous Sasquatch sightings across our 12 Southern states — a mash-up of rugged trail travel, backwoods mystery, and the enduring hunt for America’s most legendary creature.
The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), accessible at www.bfro.net, is a dedicated platform for documenting and investigating Bigfoot sightings across the United States, with a detailed geographical index that includes 101 reported sightings in Alabama alone, spanning counties like Chilton, Morgan, and Tuscaloosa, with the most recent report from Cleburne County in February 2023. The website provides a comprehensive database of sighting reports, organized by state and county, including details such as the number of listings, the most recent report, and the last posting date, alongside maps for visual reference. BFRO serves as a resource for enthusiasts, researchers, and the curious, offering a structured way to explore and contribute to Bigfoot-related investigations while maintaining a focus on credible, field-based research.
Here’s a state-by-state look at sightings, overlaps with Jeep/4×4 routes, and resources to help you explore Southern Bigfoot country for yourself
Alabama
- Notable Sightings: Talladega foothills reports of tall, upright figures moving between ridgelines.
- Overland Overlap: Jeep Badge of Honor trails in Talladega National Forest.
- Maps & Links: Talladega NF Trails | Alabama Sightings (BFRO)
- Other AL destinations
Arkansas
- Notable Sightings: The Fouke Monster, made famous in The Legend of Boggy Creek.
- Overland Overlap: Ozark National Forest’s remote trails and river corridors.
- Maps & Links: Ozark NF Routes | Visit Fouke
Destination: Fouke Monster Mart – Fouke, AR
Home of the infamous Boggy Creek Monster, the town of Fouke celebrates its claim to fame with the Monster Mart — a quirky roadside museum, gift shop, and photo stop. Exhibits trace sightings of the Fouke Monster since the 1970s and tie into the cult classic film The Legend of Boggy Creek. It’s the perfect pit stop for travelers headed toward the Sulphur River bottoms.
Florida
- Notable Sightings: The Skunk Ape of the Everglades, with decades of family group reports.
- Overland Overlap: Ocala National Forest’s Jeep Badge of Honor trail.
- Maps & Links: Ocala NF Trails | Skunk Ape HQ
Destination: Skunk Ape Headquarters – Ochopee, FL
Just off the Tamiami Trail in the Florida Everglades, the Skunk Ape Headquarters mixes a wildlife attraction with a tongue-in-cheek museum dedicated to Florida’s swamp-dwelling cryptid. Run by longtime tracker Dave Shealy, the site showcases evidence, stories, and a small zoo with gators and snakes. It’s a legendary roadside stop for adventurers heading into Big Cypress or the Everglades backcountry.
Georgia
- Notable Sightings: Reports in Chattahoochee NF near Blairsville; wood knocks and howls.
- Overland Overlap: Beasley Knob OHV Jeep Badge of Honor trail.
- Maps & Links: Beasley Knob Trails | Georgia Sightings (BFRO)
Destination: Expedition: Bigfoot! Museum – Cherry Log, GA
Tucked in the North Georgia mountains along Highway 515, Expedition: Bigfoot! The Sasquatch Museum is the largest permanent Bigfoot exhibit in the U.S. The museum features plaster casts of alleged footprints, audio recordings of “unknown” howls, hair samples, maps of sightings, and even police reports filed by eyewitnesses. Visitors can browse hundreds of artifacts, watch documentary footage, and explore interactive exhibits that trace sightings across Appalachia and beyond. Whether you’re a skeptic or a die-hard believer, it’s a fun roadside stop that connects the Blue Ridge overland experience with one of America’s most enduring legends.
Kentucky
- Notable Sightings: Daniel Boone NF hollow encounters and river valley sightings.
- Overland Overlap: Expansive FS roads for dispersed camping and long overland loops.
- Maps & Links: DBNF Trails | Kentucky Sightings (BFRO)
- Other KY destinations
Louisiana
- Notable Sightings: Honey Island Swamp Monster in Pearl River Basin.
- Overland Overlap: Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana’s only NF.
- Maps & Links: Kisatchie NF Routes | Honey Island Swamp Monster Info
Mississippi
- Notable Sightings: Pine forest hunters reporting large upright figures in De Soto NF.
- Overland Overlap: FS roads and primitive camping across De Soto National Forest.
- Maps & Links: De Soto NF Routes | Mississippi Sightings (BFRO)
North Carolina
- Notable Sightings: Uwharrie wood knocks, strange nighttime encounters.
- Overland Overlap: Jeep Badge of Honor trails in Uwharrie OHV system.
- Maps & Links: Uwharrie OHV System | North Carolina Sightings (BFRO)
Oklahoma*
- Not part of our 12 focus states, but still worth mentioning in the context of this post.
- Notable Sightings: Kiamichi Mountains; annual Honobia Bigfoot Festival.
- Overland Overlap: Rugged camping routes in Ouachita National Forest.
- Maps & Links: Ouachita NF Maps | Honobia Festival
Destination: Honobia Bigfoot Festival – Honobia, OK
Deep in the Kiamichi Mountains, the small town of Honobia hosts an annual Bigfoot Festival that draws researchers, storytellers, and curious travelers. The event features guided night hikes, presentations from field investigators, local crafts, and plenty of campfire tales. It’s a quirky cultural gathering point in an area with one of the South’s highest concentrations of alleged sightings.
South Carolina
- Notable Sightings: Sumter NF accounts and whispers from Gulches ORV Park.
- Overland Overlap: Jeep Badge of Honor trail at Gulches Off-Road Park.
- Maps & Links: Gulches ORV | South Carolina Sightings (BFRO)
Tennessee
- Notable Sightings: Smoky Mountain shadows; Gatlinburg hosts Bigfoot conferences.
- Overland Overlap: Windrock Park Jeep Badge of Honor trails.
- Maps & Links: Windrock Park Maps | Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference
Destination: Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference – Gatlinburg, TN
Every summer, Gatlinburg fills with believers and skeptics alike at the Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference, one of the largest Sasquatch-themed events in the Southeast. The lineup includes leading cryptozoologists, eyewitness panels, vendors, and live discussions about the latest sightings. For overlanders exploring the Smokies or Windrock Park, it’s an entertaining detour right in the heart of Appalachia.
Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference
Texas
- Notable Sightings: Big Thicket swamp encounters, East Texas hunter reports.
- Overland Overlap: Big Thicket National Preserve offers backcountry-style camping and trails.
- Maps & Links: Big Thicket Maps | Texas Sightings (BFRO)
Virginia
- Notable Sightings: Blue Ridge shadows, Jefferson NF wood knocks.
- Overland Overlap: GW & Jefferson NFs offer dispersed camping and rugged roads.
- Maps & Links: GW & Jefferson NF | Virginia Sightings (BFRO)
Kit: Bigfoot Bag
For vehicle-based adventure travelers who already have base camping gear, safety essentials, navigation tools, and general outdoor equipment, the Bigfoot-specific bag should focus on specialized research tools and thematic items to enhance the fun and functionality of a Bigfoot hunting trip. Here’s a concise list of what the Bigfoot bag should contain, tailored for an immersive and practical experience:
- Trail Cameras (2-3): Motion-activated with infrared for low-light, to monitor potential Bigfoot activity around your campsite or trails.
- High-Quality Camera/Camcorder: A 5K 56MP camcorder or 1080P camera with night vision, plus extra batteries and memory cards, for capturing sightings or evidence.
- Audio Recorder: A compact device to record unusual sounds or howls, with playback capability to elicit responses.
- DIY Evidence Collection Kit: Sterile swabs, tweezers, sample bags, tags, and budget-friendly casting materials (e.g., dental plaster or flour-cornstarch mix) for collecting hair, fur, or footprint casts, plus a pocket-sized ruler for scale.
- Bigfoot Caller: A portable Bluetooth speaker to play Sasquatch recordings or predator calls to attract curious creatures.
- Binoculars or Night Vision: High-quality binoculars for daytime scans, with optional night vision goggles for nighttime searches.
- Field Journal and Magnifier: A waterproof notebook for logging sightings, timestamps, and locations, paired with a magnifier for examining tracks or evidence.
- Bigfoot-Themed Research Kit: A novelty kit (e.g., Archie McPhee) with stickers, evidence flags, and scat bags to add a playful element, ideal for group engagement.
- Bright-Colored Yarn or Biodegradable Tape: To mark trails or evidence sites without environmental impact.
- Sasquatch Merch: Fun extras like a Bigfoot-themed blanket, hat, or small trinkets to keep the vibe light and entertaining.
Notes:
- Pack the bag in a compact, durable backpack (e.g., military surplus) to fit easily in your overlanding rig.
- Prioritize lightweight, multi-use items to save space, as overlanders often have limited storage.
- Use the BFRO database (www.bfro.net) to target southern hotspots for strategic deployment of cameras and recorders.
- Keep the approach ethical—focus on observation and documentation, not capture, to respect wildlife and the environment.
This Bigfoot bag equips overlanders with the tools needed for a fun, research-focused adventure while complementing their existing gear.
Bottom Line
Bigfoot may or may not be real, but the wild places where sightings happen are. These forests, swamps, and mountain roads are prime backcountry camping and overlanding territory. Whether you’re out for a night run or a weeklong expedition, you’re exploring the same landscapes where legends walk.
Tread Lightly and Gladiator Up! – Doug