Camping near Sasquatch, Yeti, California Bigfoot
This bad boy stands at a corner in Happy Camp, on the Klamath River in Northern California. Does he look happy to you? Their populations may not be thriving, as previously thought.
Highway 299 Westbound, in winter means wet, mud, and rock slides. A dark river canyon with big trees and tall cliffs. Wildfire burnt areas near Weaverville CA; Snow at 3000′. As an avid camper in California, I get questions. Plenty. Most about local destinations, some about secret spots, a few about camping gear. Tourists will ask about the California big foot – every so often. The majority of Total Escape tent camping has been in Baja & SoCal, the Central Coast & the Western US deserts. Minimal in Northern California – where the mythical beast is know to live.
Bigfoot Country is considered anything north of Trinity County (up into Oregon & Washing state). The story begins with Native Americans about multiple “sasquatch” creatures that live around Bluff Creek near the remote Klamath River. Is he a urban legend, a great hoax or for real? Upon our 2008 Xmas road trip we interviewed plenty locals about the possibility; the only guy who had a sorta believable story about ‘hearing one, but never see it’ — was a 21 yr old slacker kid from Willow Creek, so the credibility is questionable.
Stay overnight at the Big Foot Lodge down in Willow Creek & you’ll spend much more than necessary for a simple hotel room. If it’s raining hard & you need a place, it may be your only option. Best to call ahead for other lodges & cabins. The Bigfoot Museum is located in these parts and the Bigfoot Festival is held every Labor Day weekend in downtown Willow Creek. Anyone up for Big Foot river rafting?
Small town of Happy Camp is serious “back woods” California – at it best or worst, you decide. The chamber of commerce is trying to make this more of a tourist destination, we’ll see how that pans out. But if you wanna see a big foot, these areas of Klamath & Six River National Forests are both prime places to do it. Explore way, way back there. Be prepared, with camera & a weapon.
Klamath River has tons of outdoor recreation, camping, fishing, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, equestrian trails. The lodging was minimal in HappyCamp. Primitive tent camping on the river rock/sand bars at Independence Creek on Klamath Hwy 96 – looked more inviting. Crazy kayakers!
As far as any yeti encounters with Total Escape – nope, none, nada.
Not one…. yet.
If you are a local from NorCal with a great big foot story, we would love to hear about it
