Attention all Bigfoot enthusiasts, believers, and the curious! Have you ever dreamed of catching a glimpse of the elusive creature named “Bigfoot”? Well, look no further than Salt Fork State Park in Cambridge, Ohio, located just a little over an hour drive from Akron. This park has been named one of the top 10 “Squatchiest” places in the country by USA Today, and with over 36 sightings reported since the middle 1980s, it’s no wonder why.
As a mom, I’ve always been interested in the legend of Bigfoot, but my first encounter with a real Bigfoot enthusiast was in my front yard when a man stopped his car on my road and warned me about building stick forts in the woods next to my house. He said that Bigfoot is very territorial and that if he sees that fort, he might think another Bigfoot made it and he could confuse my kids with another Bigfoot, which wouldn’t be pleasant. I have personally seen similar stick fort structures all over Cuyahoga Valley National Park but I thought people built them.
Maybe we should search for Bigfoot in Akron, although there are many more sightings in Cambridge, so maybe we should take a short drive to Cambridge to put the matter to rest for our own Bigfoot adventure.
Salt Fork Lodge & Conference Center and Salt Fork State Park host several events throughout the year to celebrate the legend of Bigfoot, and there’s something for everyone. The Ohio Bigfoot Conference on May 6, 2023, features top-rated speakers from across the Bigfoot community who share their experiences and knowledge on the subject of Sasquatch. From television personalities, academes, local and national investigators, and other prominent figures, the conference has something for everyone. The weekend also features many free events, including the largest vendor fair of Bigfoot merchandise, advanced hike, Bigfoot Festival, and family hike. It’s truly a great weekend full of fun and informative events for the whole family to enjoy.
For those who want to get up close and personal with the legend, the Monthly Bigfoot Night Hikes allow enthusiasts to hike the park trails after dark in search of the legendary Bigfoot. Hikes typically take place once a month during the summer and autumn seasons. For more information, visit the Salt Fork Facebook Page or call the park lodge at 740-439-3521.
For the adventurous, you can run or walk the new Bigfoot races at Salt Fork State Park. The Summer Sasquatch 50K, 20 & 10-mile trail races will take place on June 10 & 11, 2023. These races will challenge you with a 10.4-mile loop course over rolling hills. Hikers are welcome in the 10 Miler – the generous cutoff time allows you to enjoy a supported hike at your own pace. Hikers are welcome in the 10-mile race. If you can’t make it to the summer Sasquatch races, join in the fun this winter on Dec. 9 & 10, 2023, for the Bigfoot 50K, 20 & 10-mile trail races. Bring your family along for an awesome Ohio staycation! Salt Fork Lodge offers great rooms at reasonable prices. Call 740-439-2751 and request the Bigfoot race discount when making your reservation.
Did you know that Morgan’s Knob is where much of one of the episodes of “Finding Bigfoot” and “Monsters & Mysteries in America” were filmed? Or that Bigfoot Ridge, the park’s primitive campground, was the area where Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb filmed an episode of their “Today Show with Kathy and Hoda”? USA Today ranked the park one of the Top 10.
