New Jersey's Credible Bigfoot Sightings: 1975, 1991, 1997
Posted Friday, October 11, 2024
By Squatchable.com staff
Bigfoot sightings have been reported all over the country, and New Jersey is no exception. The YouTube channel The Essex Times has compiled what they consider to be the three most credible Bigfoot sightings in the state. I was excited to watch this video and share the information with our readers.
The first sighting took place in High Point State Park near the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border in the summer of 1975. A seasoned fisherman named John Matthews was fishing by a secluded lake when he noticed a large shadowy figure standing at the edge of the water. At first, he thought it was a bear, but he quickly realized that the creature was walking upright on two legs. Matthews described the creature as approximately 7.5 feet tall, covered in thick dark brown hair, with long arms and large human-like feet. Its face was partially obscured by hair, but Matthews noted prominent brow ridges and deep-set eyes that seemed to observe him intently.
The creature stood motionless for several minutes before disappearing into the dense forest. Although no physical evidence was left behind, the detailed description of the encounter makes this one of the more reliable Bigfoot reports. Matthews reported the sighting to local authorities and a regional cryptozoology group, and his reputation as an experienced outdoorsman lent significant weight to the encounter.
The second sighting took place in Stokes State Forest in Sussex County during the peak of deer hunting season in the autumn of 1991. Robert "Bob" Jennings, an experienced hunter, encountered a massive bipedal figure standing approximately 8 feet tall. The creature was enveloped in dark brown matted hair and its posture was distinctly upright. Jennings noted the creature's long arms reaching down to its knees and large powerful hands with what appeared to be sharp claws. Despite its enormous size and muscular build, the creature moved with surprising speed and agility.
Jennings reported the sighting to both local law enforcement and cryptozoology enthusiasts. His detailed account, combined with his reputation as a knowledgeable and rational individual, made this encounter one of the more credible Bigfoot sightings in New Jersey.
The third sighting took place in Lebanon State Forest (now Brendan T. Byrne State Forest) in Burlington County in the late spring of 1997. A family camping in the forest reported a curious and compelling discovery while enjoying a weekend outdoors. While exploring the forest around their campsite, the family stumbled upon large human-like footprints in a muddy area near a stream. The footprints were approximately 18 inches in length with a distinctive stride pattern indicating a bipedal gate.
The family followed the tracks for a short distance before losing them in the thicker parts of the forest. Although there was no visual sighting of the creature, the discovery of the footprints provided tangible support for the existence of an unidentified large bipedal creature in the area.
These three sightings are considered among the most credible Bigfoot encounters in New Jersey due to the combination of remote wooded locations, experienced witnesses, and in some cases, physical evidence like footprints. While none of these incidents resulted in further proof, they remain compelling due to the detailed observations and credible nature of the witnesses.
If you're interested in learning more about these sightings, I encourage you to watch the video from The Essex Times and do your own research. Who knows, maybe you'll be the one to capture the elusive Bigfoot on camera!