Chasing Sasquatch: Did this author catch him on a trip to Kansas?

Ah, vacation. For most, it’s a time to relax, reflect, and unwind. Unless you’re a paranormal researcher passing through Bigfoot territory. Sounds like the perfect opportunity for chasing Sasquatch, which is what guest contributor Sarah C. Preston did. Did she catch him? Let’s find out.

Chasing Sasquatch in Kansas
by Sarah C. Preston

“I’ve traveled the New England states, New York and North Carolina,
And down into the southern states, and thought them very fine,
But of all the states that I have roamed, the one that I love best
Is the good old state of Kansas, the Lily of the West.”
~Folk Song, taken from The Kansas Art Reader, ed. by J.W. Bell

When you think of the rolling prairie of Kansas, one thing certainly doesn’t come to mind, and that is the ever-elusive creature known as Bigfoot. Much like how Spiderman’s superpowers are only useful in the big city, the hallmarks of traditional Sasquatch research are limited to the environment in which they are most often observed.

However, Bigfoot researchers and eyewitnesses can all agree —Bigfoot is a master of their environment. That’s why on one recent trip across the state, I decided to follow the path of Bigfoot reports and see if the mysterious cryptid could possibly be lurking on the great plains.

Tracking Sasquatch Sightings

According to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), there have been 49 reports of Bigfoot, or mysterious creature encounters, across Kansas. The most recent was in 2021. According to the BFRO, that’s more sightings than in other states, such as Alaska, or Wyoming, where you might expect to see Sasquatch.

Most of these sightings either took place in the early morning or early evening along tree lines while travelers and avid outdoorsmen make their way along back roads. In almost all accounts, the creature moved quickly. It is a known fact among researchers and explorers that Sasquatch can climb and walk along difficult terrain with ease.

Could the lowlands of the prairie be an expressway to more mountainous regions of the country? Following the I-35W highway would seem so.

The Eastern part of the state is still very similar to Missouri, or the foothills of Colorado, in which there are still caves and lush woodlands that could conceivably hide a small pod of large animals. Modern-day agricultural practices could also make it easier for Bigfoot creatures to make it across. With lots of farmland, there is plenty of opportunity for grazing and hiding in tall fields of wheat and sorghum, as well as reservoirs and modern irrigation practices that provide plenty of water sources.

If you believe that the creatures are semi-migratory, the southern part of the state follows the Arkansas River, providing shelter, water, and a diverse ecosystem perfect for an omnivore diet. The region around the river provides woodlands with more traditional research methods, such as observing tree structures and wood knocks. This trek opens right into the mountains of Colorado, where many reports have been made as early as the 1870s. Once in Colorado, there is plenty of opportunity to disappear.

The Sasquatch Outpost

Just on the other side of the state line, I stopped at the Sasquatch Outpost in Bailey, CO. Here, you can explore the history of Bigfoot sightings, recent BFRO expeditions with Sasquatch Outpost owner Jim Myers, and see one of the infamous knotted flags on permanent loan from the Bigfoot museum in Hastings, Nebraska.

I also had a wonderful chat with one of the employees, Tammy, who recounted her own experiences and was a gracious guide through many parts of the exhibit. While perusing the gift shop portion, I overheard Tammy ask another guest the same question she asks everybody: “So do you believe?”

The couple immediately opened up about an experience a friend of theirs had, which turned them into believers. When I asked Tammy if that happens a lot, she shrugged and smiled and told me that some share their experiences, some people just aren’t sure, and others don’t believe at all but are curious about the museum.

Watch Out for Sasquatch

I have a feeling that next time you find yourself driving through Kansas, your car might magically take you through Sasquatch country. After all, cryptids creep in the most unlikely places.

So, keep your eyes peeled along the side of the road. You never know what might be lurking just along the tree line and out of sight. And if you find yourself in Bailey, Colorado, stop by the Outpost and share your story.

Guest Contributor Info

Sarah C. Preston currently holds a BA in Sociology with an Emphasis in Anthropology from the University of Missouri -Kansas City. She is an artist and photographer who’s style and works focus on Americana, folklore, and rural lifestyles. Her writing has been featured online and in The Feminine Macabre. You can contact her at liminallykc@gmail.com.

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