Top 5 Oregon Bigfoot Sightings: Crater Lake, Kuz County, Blue Mountains, Rogue River, Mount Hood

It's time to dive into the top five Bigfoot sightings in Oregon, a state that seems tailor-made for the elusive creature! From the lush, mist-covered rainforests to the dry pines of the eastern Cascades, thousands of sightings have been reported over the years. But which encounters stand out among the rest? Let's start with number five: the Mount Hood Encounter from November 2008. This incident took place in the Mount Hood National Forest, one of the most visited natural areas in the Pacific Northwest. Two cross-country skiers, heading towards a backcountry shelter, noticed a massive figure gliding between trees just ahead. At first, they thought it was a fellow hiker in heavy gear, but when it turned, they saw a thick, sloped head with no visible neck. The creature disappeared silently over a snowy ridge, leaving behind nothing but shaken nerves and lingering questions. Moving on to number four: the Rogue River Growler from June 1993. The Calopsis Wilderness in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is a remote and biologically rich area, accessible only by foot or raft. In June of 1993, a group of four rafters camped along the river heard something heavy approaching their site after midnight. Expecting a bear, they grabbed flashlights, only to spot two glowing eyes set unnaturally high above the ground, peering at them from behind a tree. Then came a low, predatory growl. By dawn, they discovered deep tracks in the mud and a warped paddle, seemingly bent from brute force. Number three: the Blue Mountains Beast from August 1962. The Umatilla National Forest, with its over 1.4 million acres, is a popular spot for hikers and hunters. However, the Blue Mountain region has long held a reputation for eerie sounds and unexplained figures. In August 1962, a logging crew working near Tollgate began hearing rhythmic knocking sounds echoing through the hills. Soon after, tools went missing, and tree trunks were found with claw-like gouges. One worker staying late to repair equipment saw a tall bipedal creature standing motionless on a ridge, watching silently before slipping behind the pines. Next up, number two: the Klamath County Trail Cam Mystery from October 2012. The Elliott State Forest, along Oregon's coast, has become a battleground of conservation and access. It remains a popular site for hunters and backwoods explorers and a focal point for Bigfoot believers. In October 2012, two hunters set up trail cameras during elk season. Reviewing footage days later, they found a blurry but striking image of a dark upright figure moving past their bait pile. They returned to the site and found faint impressions in the mossy earth but no signs of wildlife tampering. The image circulated online, debated intensely but never conclusively explained. And finally, our number one: the Crater Lake Screamer from July 1977. Crater Lake National Park draws over 750,000 visitors a year, and for good reason. Its sapphire waters, formed in the caldera of a collapsed volcano, are among the clearest on Earth. The surrounding cliffs and ancient forests are considered sacred by the Clamoth tribes, who warned of dark spirits inhabiting the lake. One summer night in July 1977, a scream shattered the quiet near Mazama campground. It began low, rose into a piercing shriek, then broke into a guttural snarl. A park ranger on overnight patrol confirmed hearing the same sound. Hours later, two campers reported seeing a massive upright figure with long arms and shaggy black fur circling their vehicle. The incident quickly gained traction across southern Oregon, with The Oregonian running a piece headlined "Screams in the night: something stirring at Crater Lake." While local television station KTVL aired a brief segment interviewing witnesses and discussing tribal folklore, the real media buzz arrived in 1980 when the event was dramatized on the cult TV show In Search of. That segment brought national eyes to the story, transforming it from a local mystery to a staple in Bigfoot lore. Crater Lake Rangers reportedly increased patrols for the rest of that summer and quietly discouraged campers from venturing alone at night. Over the years, a few amateur researchers returned to the site to record sound clips, some of which include whales eerily similar to what was heard in 1977. To this day, rangers still mention the Crater Lake Screamer during training, and visitors occasionally ask about it with a mix of skepticism and fear. Whether it was a spirit, a cryptid, or something else, it left an indelible mark on Oregon's most sacred ground. Oregon lands firmly in the top 10 but does it deserve number one? Watch the video to find out! Don't forget to subscribe to our channel, Squatchable, for more weird and wacky happenings across the United States. Do you believe your region or town deserves a top rating or have you had an unusual encounter in the woods you can't explain? We would love to hear from you in the comment section!