Bigfoot / Sasquatchsighting locationGreat Lakes deciduous forest and riparian woodlandOhio, United States41.2808°, -81.5678°

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park encompasses 32,783 acres of reclaimed industrial and rural landscape along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron in Northeast Ohio. This unique national park differs from most others in that it includes developed areas, roads, and urban proximity while preserving wooded valleys, wetlands, and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The park holds special significance in Sasquatch research as the location of Matt Moneymaker's formative encounter, which launched his decades-long investigation into the phenomenon. Despite its proximity to major urban centers, the park's forested ravines and river corridors provide surprising habitat connectivity through Ohio's developed landscape.

Timeline

Early years

Matt Moneymaker reports his first Bigfoot encounter in the area as a young man

1974

Area designated as Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, protecting habitat

2000

Redesignated as full national park status

2015

Finding Bigfoot returns to investigate Matt's original sighting location

Notable Sightings

Early years· young researcher (Matt Moneymaker)
Early morning encounter with a large, upright figure moving through the wooded areas along the Cuyahoga River valley. The sighting occurred during what would become a foundational moment for one of North America's most dedicated Sasquatch researchers.
Moneymaker's subsequent decades of field research and founding of the BFRO demonstrate his serious approach to the phenomenon. His return to document the exact location years later shows the lasting impact of what he observed.
Following decades· park visitors and local residents
Scattered reports of large, dark figures observed along hiking trails and near the river, particularly in the more remote southern sections of what would become the national park.
The wooded ravines and stream corridors provide natural travel routes that could support a large, elusive animal moving between Ohio's fragmented forest patches.

What the Shows Found

Finding BigfootS06E08
Did: Matt Moneymaker led the team to his original encounter site, sharing personal details about the sighting that sparked his lifelong research. The investigation included daytime reconnaissance of the area and night operations with thermal imaging along the river corridors.
Found: While no definitive evidence was captured during filming, the personal significance of returning to Matt's foundational encounter location provided insight into how a single sighting can launch serious long-term research efforts.

What the Science Says

Ohio's fragmented forest landscape presents interesting questions about habitat connectivity for large mammals. While the park is surrounded by urban development, the Cuyahoga River valley creates a natural corridor that could theoretically allow movement of wildlife between Lake Erie and more substantial forest areas to the south.

Local wildlife includes white-tailed deer, coyotes, and occasional black bears, though bear sightings remain rare in northern Ohio. Experienced outdoorsmen familiar with the area would readily distinguish between known wildlife and something significantly larger moving upright through the terrain. The park's mix of wetlands, hardwood forests, and stream corridors provides diverse food sources that could support various species.

Research on footprint morphology suggests that if Sasquatch populations exist, they would require substantial habitat ranges connected by travel corridors. While Ohio seems unlikely habitat compared to the Pacific Northwest, river systems like the Cuyahoga historically provided natural highways for both human and animal movement across the landscape.

Lore & Fun Facts

Cuyahoga Valley is the only national park in Ohio and one of only three in the Great Lakes region

The park attracts nearly 2.9 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited national parks despite its small size

Matt Moneymaker founded the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) partly based on his experiences in this area

The historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath runs through the park, following routes used by indigenous peoples for thousands of years

Planning a Visit

Access

The park is fully accessible to the public with numerous hiking trails, bike paths, and the popular Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Most areas are open dawn to dusk, though some facilities have extended hours.

Nearest Town

Peninsula, Ohio, approximately 2 miles from central park areas.

Best Time to Visit

Spring through fall offers the best conditions, with early morning hours providing the quietest periods for observation.