Halloween or not, some places in the United States always attract those who want to enter the world of monsters and chaos. The most famous entity from North American legends is Bigfoot, a staple of many US destinations focused on cryptozoology.
Many studies have proven that the existence of Bigfoot and other similar creatures is just a hoax, but tales of their sightings persist. Tourists who love the unknown and the unusual would enjoy visiting some destinations in the country aiming to stimulate their interest in legendary monsters, from creatures of the forest to charmers of the waterways.
10/10 monkey canyon
Ape Canyon looks stunning in photos thanks to its lush location on Mount St. Helens. This Washington destination was named after a suspected Bigfoot attack in 1924. The story goes like this: A group of miners were attacked by “ape-men” while they were sleeping. Rocks were thrown at them, and a Sasquatch reached the cabin and almost ran away with an axe. The miners survived and shared their encounter with the public. However, skeptics said a youth group was behind the attack. Whatever it is, the truth is that Ape Canyon is a scenic spot for hikers and nature lovers.
9/10 Spitting Horn
According to legend, Spouting Horn’s blowhole in Kauai, Hawaii is the home (and prison) of a large lizard. The story goes that the lizard was terrorizing the shore until a brave boy lured him into the blowhole and trapped the monster there forever. The blowhole is actually a lava tube that gushes out water at high tide. It’s an amazing sight, especially when the spray reaches 50 feet. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the state; Only when the lizard knows their home is so popular.
8/10 Alton, Illinois
Alton is a welcoming town known for the Piasa Bird, a mythical creature etched into a rock face. There’s no way to sugarcoat it, but the limestone attraction is creepy. One explorer described the depiction of the monsters as “terrifying” because “they are as big as a calf, with a head and horns like a goat, their eyes are red, beards like a tiger’s, and a face like a man’s.” Their tails are so long that they run across her body and between her legs, under her body, ending like a fishtail.” The painting is now a city landmark and a popular attraction for folklore lovers.
7/10 Pope Lick Trestle Bridge
The myth surrounding the Trestle Bridge over Pope Lick Creek in Louisville, Kentucky is dangerous because it has claimed innocent lives. Yes, the myth, not the supposed Goat Man, is responsible for the deaths of “legend travelers” or those seeking said monster. The half-man, half-goat creature is said to lure its victims onto the tracks, where they are rammed by the passing train. In some stories, the monster drops victims into passing cars. There is no monster, so authorities advise against going over the buck. This myth is indeed tragic.
6/10 Fouke, Arkansas
The town of Fouke is small, with only around 800 residents, but its most famous resident is a monster. According to legend, the Bigfoot-like Boggy Creek monster was first sighted in 1834, but the most famous encounter occurred in 1971, which was later made into a movie, The Legend of Boggy Creek. However, skeptics believe what some believe to be a monster is actually a black bear. The town benefited from the legend that there is now the Boggy Creek Festival where everyone is welcome, maybe even the monster.
5/10 Lake Champlain
Shared by Vermont and New York, Lake Champlain is a pristine waterway where a legend about a monster thrives. Like the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland, the Monster has become a major tourist attraction in the US, with the cities of Burlington (VT) and Plattsburgh (NY) benefiting the most. Locals dubbed the monster Champ, which became more popular when a resident shared a photo of what she believed to be the creature in 1977. Although skeptics think the shape in the picture was a tree trunk, some insist a sea monster lives beneath the water.
4/10 New Jersey Pine Barrens
The New Jersey Pine Barrens are believed to be the lair of the Jersey Devil, a legendary creature that has been in the stories for over 250 years. There have been many sightings of the creature in the vast barren pine coastal region. Those who heard his scream said it was scary. The monster is believed to be the unwanted 13th child of a certain Mrs Leeds (also known as the Leeds Devil). Legends say that the mother offered her child to the devil, who turned into an ugly creature at birth and flew into the Pine Barrens. Anyone visiting the wilderness should keep their eyes open.
3/10 Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Mothman is probably West Virginia’s most famous mythical creature. There are many stories about this insect-like creature, said to have been photographed over the town of Point Pleasant. The monster’s origin is unknown, with some saying it was extraterrestrial, supernatural, or part of a military experiment. The monster is so famous that it has been the subject of a novel and a subsequent film, The Mothman Prophecies, in addition to the town hosting a regular festival. Meeting the winged creature might be a pleasant experience, but a statue might suffice.
2/10 everglades
The vast Everglades of Florida are said to be home to a Bigfoot relative named the Skunk Monkey. It got its name because believers said it had a foul smell from living in alligator burrows “filled with swamp gas and animal carcasses,” or probably because it doesn’t take a bath. There is a headquarters in Ochopee dedicated to the study of this Florida monster, something folklore fans might be interested in. The state’s tropical wetlands are teeming with wildlife, so there’s always something for tourists, with or without giant monkeys.
1/10 Willow Creek, California
Cryptid fans shouldn’t miss a visit to Willow Creek, the “Bigfoot Capital of the World.” The town is near Bluff Creek, where the famous Patterson-Gimlin film about the hairy creature was filmed. As is proper, Legend travelers must first visit the area where the sighting occurred, and then follow up with a tour of a museum dedicated to the monster. The museum is tiny, but it’s filled with wonders like Sasquatch artifacts, footprints, and items like that. Whether tourists want to hike or hunt for the giant, the Klamath Mountains welcome them.
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