The phenomenon of Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, sightings in Idaho draws from a long history of folklore, indigenous stories, and modern eyewitness reports. According to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), Idaho ranks 20th nationally for total documented encounters with 105 as of late 2025, with reports dating back to November 1882 when two cowboys described an encounter along the Snake River. In May 2025, a backpacker reported howls and knocks in the Upper Dry Creek area, 7-miles northeast of Boise. Hundreds of unverified sightings have been reported and told in tales and lore for over 200 years. Below are 6 notable encounters not verified by BFRO. 

Early Sightings – 1800s to 1930s

• 1805 - Lewis and Clark Expedition: Journals mention “strange howls” and “large footprints” near the Lolo Pass. Though never confirmed, some historians believe these were early Bigfoot encounters.

• 1924 – Logging Camp near Salmon River: Workers reported hearing guttural vocalizations and found massive footprints circling their tents. One man claimed he saw a tall, fur-covered figure watching from the tree line.

The 1970s Surge

• 1972 – Bitterroot National Forest: A hunter named Carl Jensen reported a 7-foot creature crossing a ridge at dusk. He described long arms, a sloped forehead, and a musky odor that lingered for hours.

• 1977 – Lost Horse Creek: Campers awoke to find their cooler missing and deep prints in the mud. One camper claimed to see glowing eyes in the brush, followed by a low growl.

Modern Encounters

• 2003 – McCall, Idaho: A bowhunter captured blurry footage of a bipedal creature walking along a ridgeline. The footage was inconclusive, but the hunter swore it wasn’t a bear.

• 2021 – Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness: A solo backpacker reported hearing rhythmic tree knocks and distant whoops. He found a twisted sapling and a footprint measuring 17 inches long.