Where are the best places to hunt Bigfoot? Check these regional parks, forests, festivals

The search for Bigfoot continues.

Bigfoot, Grassman, Sasquatch, Yeti, regardless of what you choose to call it, the legend of this mythical creature dates back centuries and exists in every corner of the world. In North America, tales speak of a large, hairy, ape-like creature rumored to dwell in forests and other densely wooded areas, occasionally scaring campers, lumberjacks and hikers.

More:Where are you most likely to spot Bigfoot? Ohio's at the top of the list

Since the start of 2022, 20 states have received reports of Bigfoot sightings. While most occur in the Pacific Northwest, all 50 states have received reports over the years, including Ohio.

Whether you believe in Bigfoot or not, there’s something captivating about the idea of searching for the infamous creature. But where can you go to experience a supposed Bigfoot sighting?

With 318 sightings reported, the Buckeye State ranks No. 4 in the country for Bigfoot sightings. Because Ohio is a popular destination for Bigfoot hunting, here's a list of places here and around the region perfect for hunting the infamous Grassman.

Best places to hunt bigfoot in the region

Ohio

Salt Fork State Park, Guernsey County

Easily the Sasquatch-iest place in the state, researchers have been coming for decades to this area about 60 miles south of Cleveland. Over 36 sightings in the Salt Fork Region have been reported since the middle 1980s.

The state park even hosts several events each year celebrating the legend of Bigfoot, including monthly night hikes, adventure weekends, creature weekend summer campout, and more. The park's Annual Bigfoot Conference is also the world’s longest running Bigfoot Conference. visitguernseycounty.com.

Pleasant Hill Lake, Ashland County

According to The Columbus Dispatch, a Bigfoot sighting was reported in 2020 by a family camping within the 1,845-acre Pleasant Hill Lake Park. Encounters with Bigfoot have been reported there since 1899. Other Bigfoot sightings have also been reported in the 500-acre Mohican-Memorial State Forest and 1,100-acre Mohican State Park.

Pleasant Lake Park also hosts an annual Bigfoot basecamp weekend full of family-friendly activities and selected events hosted by Matt Moneymaker, founder and president of the Bigfoot Field Research Organization (BFRO). Moneymaker is also the start of the "Finding Bigfoot'' TV series on Animal Planet. pleasanthillpark.mwcd.org.

Hocking Hills, Hocking County

The Hocking Hills region has a rich history of Bigfoot sightings and Bigfoot seekers. Documentation of Bigfoot has been reported as far back as the late 1800s in Southeast Ohio. Since the 1950s, witnesses have reported sightings along the Hocking and Fairfield county borders.

Inspired by this history, Hocking Hills now hosts an annual Bigfoot festival in downtown Logan which includes: National and local presentations, live music, crafts and vendors, Squatch and Seek competition and more. explorehockinghills.com.

Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park, Edmondson County

Four people have reported Bigfoot sightings at the park, USA TODAY reports.

In one alleged encounter from the early 1990s, a man said his dad worked for Mammoth Cave National Park and saw "a large hairy creature down on what he thought to be all fours walking."

More recently, the park gained national attention in 2019 when a man opened fire in the park after claiming he was hunting Bigfoot. He also awoke a nearby couple, warning them they were in "Bigfoot Country."

Although this park does not host special events, it is still a hotbed for Bigfoot sightings. If you're looking to catch a glimpse of the beast, you may want to try your luck here. mammothcave.com.

Lawrenceburg, Anderson County

Bigfoot sightings in Anderson County date back to the late 1700s. In the past, the county has even celebrated the infamous creature with an annual Wildman Days festival in downtown Lawrenceburg. This street festival features carnival rides, food and craft vendors and live music.

The 2020 festival was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has not returned. Regardless, the area is known for its Bigfoot-friendly atmosphere, making it a good place to try and track down the creature. visitlawrenceburgky.com.

More:In the event of a zombie apocalypse, head on down to Cincinnati

West Virginia

Sutton, Braxton County

Bigfoot sightings have occurred all over Braxton County, concentrating around  Sutton Lake and surrounding areas. The Sutton Lake Marina even rents boats every year to Bigfoot hunters. Several experts, including paranormal investigator Dave Spinks and International Cryptozoology Museum founder Loren Coleman, have investigated sighting accounts there.

In 2021, Sutton hosted an inaugural Bigfoot Festival that coincided with the official grand opening of the Bigfoot museum. braxtonwv.org.

New River Gorge National Park, Fayette County

According to WV Explorer, recent Bigfoot sightings in southern West Virginia have gained national attention. In 2019, a couple recently claimed to photograph Bigfoot near New River Gorge.

Investigator Les O'Dell told the news organization that this isn't the first time he's heard of encounters in the area. He said encounters had been reported with greater frequency in the southern part of the state because of the mountain landscape.

As part of one of the most densely forested regions in the Appalachian Mountains, New River Gorge National Park is an ideal place for hunting Bigfoot. wvtourism.com.

Indiana

Yellowwood Forest, Brown County

Since 1973, 78 Bigfoot sightings have been reported in Indiana.

The most recent report came from campers who said they may have heard the voice of Bigfoot at Yellowwood Lake. Due to the prevalence of Bigfoot sightings, the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites have hosted "Finding Bigfoot" events in Brown County, where attendees learned more about the creature, how to make molds of animal prints, identify tracks and more. In previous years, the Indiana Bigfoot Research Organization has also held a camp in the forest. indianamuseum.org.

Pike County

In the summer of 1970, the Indiana State Police received several bizarre reports on what locals now call "The Pike County Monster." The Courier & Press reported that the sightings included the following description, "a ten-foot tall creature covered with hair. Appears to walk on hind legs. Top speed 60 miles per hour.”

Sightings continued for days, reinforcing the creature's new moniker. This legend alone is enough reason for Bigfoot enthusiasts to hike the woods of Pike County in search of the mysterious monster. pikecounty.in.gov.

Michigan

Menominee/Upper Peninsula

Before his death in 2021, Craig Sulk and his wife Barb were known for their 2012 snapshots of the alleged monster taken at their home in Menominee. The national attention they received from their photos led them to open their land to Bigfoot hunters and enthusiasts. It also led them to start a Bigfoot hunting event called The Hyden Adventure.

They also started a convention called The Marinette-Menominee Bigfoot Convention which returned to Menominee in June.

These aren't the only experts in the region. Rich Meyer, the founder of the Upper Peninsula Bigfoot/Sasquatch Research Organization, has spent years dedicated to finding proof that Bigfoot is real and living in the region. They even have an active Facebook Page dedicated to documenting Bigfoot sightings.

More:These epic fall hikes are within driving distance of Ohio

Pennsylvania

Alleghany National Forest, Alleghany County

The Allegheny National Forest and surrounding areas are hotspots for Sasquatch sightings. During the late summer, there have been sightings on the outskirts of Bradford, in McKean County, and unexplained have been heard at night throughout Allegheny National Forest, making it one of the best locations for spotting (and hearing) Bigfoot in the state. visitanf.com.

Marienville, Forest County

In June, the county held the second annual Bigfoot Festival, a family-friendly event that included a hunt in the forest. According to its website, the 2023 festival will take place June 9-11, visitpago.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Looking for Bigfoot? Check these regional parks, forests and festivals