Top 5 Baffling Bigfoot Encounters in New Jersey: Unraveling the Mystery

Intriguing encounters with the elusive creature known as Bigfoot continue to surface, and this time, we're delving into the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Campfire Creepers, a YouTube channel that specializes in sharing strange, unexplained stories, has compiled a list of the top 5 Bigfoot sightings in the Garden State. From the dense forests of Wharton State Forest to the peaceful lakeside campgrounds of Bellplane State Forest, New Jersey's vast wooded areas seem to harbor more than just the Jersey Devil. Over the last decade, something tall, fast, and deeply unsettling has been spotted in these regions, leaving many to wonder if Bigfoot truly exists. Let's take a closer look at these top 5 sightings, starting with a chilling encounter in Wharton State Forest. In March 2021, two seasoned hikers heard a deep growl while navigating the Batsto Lake Trail. Moments later, one of them spotted a tall, wide-shouldered figure darting between the trees near the old Batsto village ruins. The being moved too quickly and silently to be human, leaving behind a 15-inch footprint pressed deep in the pine needle-covered soil. Park rangers quietly examined the area but refused to release any official statements. Moving on to Bellplane State Forest, a family of four camping near Lake Nummy reported being awakened just after midnight by heavy footsteps circling their tent. When the father stepped outside with a lantern, he glimpsed a large hunched figure about 30 yards away, watching silently from the tree line. The creature turned and walked off on two legs, vanishing into thick underbrush. The family left the next morning without staying their planned second night. Next, we travel to the Waong Reservation in Union County, a heavily wooded park that sees over 500,000 visitors annually and is often considered a last refuge for wildlife amid North Jersey's suburban sprawl. In October 2017, two high school students filming a Halloween short video in the deserted park captured what appears to be a large figure crossing a trail in the background. The figure's proportions were unnatural, arms too long, gate too smooth. When the students returned to the area with friends the next day, they found broken branches in a patch of compressed grass where something very large had stood. The video posted online drew attention from regional cryptid forums, but was quickly removed without explanation. Moving up the ranks, we find ourselves in High Point State Park, Sussex County. In August 2016, a trail runner on the monument trail had just passed the obelisk when he spotted what he described as a massive, dark, upright animal standing motionless beside a boulder. Initially frozen, the witness raised his phone to take a photo, at which point the creature let out a sound, not quite a roar, not quite a howl, and crashed down the slope, disappearing into the forest. The runner returned shaken and filed a report with the park office. Though no photos were released, staff confirmed they received similar reports that same week. Finally, we arrive at the number one spot, Brendan T. Burn State Forest, Burlington County. In July 2019, a group of five campers, two couples and one teenage son, were stargazing near Pakim Pond when they heard a strange whooping sound echoing from across the water. Thinking it was someone playing a prank, they ignored it until a strong, musty odor enveloped their camp. Moments later, they spotted something crouched behind a fallen log less than 50 ft away. When one of the men aimed a flashlight in its direction, the creature stood upright, close to 8 ft tall, covered in dark reddish fur with glowing amber eyes. The group fled in a panic, leaving behind gear that was later found scattered and torn. The incident made the rounds in local news outlets with the Burlington County Times publishing a short piece titled, "What lurks in the pines?" New Jersey's reputation for the bizarre is firmly rooted in its culture, but the last decade has brought a string of Bigfoot encounters too consistent to ignore. With a surprising amount of forest cover, a long tradition of cryptid lore, and a steady stream of reports from the Pine Barrens and Highlands, New Jersey ranks higher than expected on the national Bigfoot ranking, coming in at number 19 out of 50. Stay tuned for more Bigfoot sightings and strange 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? Does Bigfoot still exist, or is he simply a product of overactive imaginations? We would love to hear from you in the comment section.