Tucked away on Prince of Wales Island, Waterfall Resort is famed for world-class salmon and halibut fishing . Yet atop its natural beauty lies a chilling secret whispered among guests: sightings of a Sasquatch-like creature near the resort’s cascading falls.
🌲 Echoes of an Alaskan Cryptid
Native Alaskan folklore speaks of the Urayuli—towering, shaggy forest dwellers with haunting cries, sometimes called “Hairy Men” . Elsewhere in Southeast Alaska, tales of the Nantinaq or “giant forest spirits” date back to reports of Portlock’s mysterious disappearances in the 1940s . Today, enthusiasts often link these legends to Bigfoot, blending myth and mystery into the lush Alaskan forests.
🐾 Guest Sightings at the Waterfall
While most visitors come for fishing, some stay for stories that linger well into the night:
Shadow among the spruce: One guest described glimpsing a massive, upright silhouette near the misty waterfall—too large to be a bear and too human-like to ignore. Footprints in the mud: After a heavy rain, odd prints measuring nearly 18 inches were found on a trail leading down from the falls. Low, guttural calls: Echoes of deep moans and wood-knocking noises have been reported, fading into the spray of the waterfall.
Though none of these encounters are documented in formal research, they mirror classic Bigfoot lore—large footprints, strange sounds, and fleeting forest shapes .
🎤 Local Lore and Media Mystique
Ketchikan itself isn’t silent on cryptid talk. A shaky YouTube video from 2011 shows a supposed creature walking across a streambed—part bear, part Bigfoot—that still divides believers and skeptics . Meanwhile, the “Alaskan Triangle,” spanning Anchorage, Juneau, and Barrow, has become a hotbed for UFOs, disappearances, and cryptid sightings .
Travel Channel even dedicated an episode to Bigfoot sightings and haunted hotels in Southeast Alaska—including Ketchikan—underscoring the region’s eerie ambiance .
🎣 From Fishing Lodge to Mystery Lodge
Most guests at Waterfall Resort marvel at:
Historic charm: Old cannery cabins, lodge rooms, and suites with forest views and modern comforts . Unforgettable angling: Daily fishing excursions, professionally guided, returning with frozen and vacuum-sealed catches delivered home . Immersion in nature: Trails leading to roaring waterfalls, wildlife sightings (including bears eating salmon!), and a deep silence broken only by the wind and water ().
Yet as evening falls, the forest takes on another character. Ask around the saloon, and someone will inevitably share a goosebump-worthy “Bigfoot happened to me” story.
🧭 Should You Go?
If you’re after:
Adventure beyond sport-fishing A taste of Alaskan folklore The thrill of potentially seeing something… unexpected…
…it just might be worth booking a stay. Even if the Sasquatch remains hidden, the resort’s blend of wilderness, comfort, and mystery is unforgettable.
📝 Pro Tips for Sasquatch Seekers
Bring binoculars and a night-vision scope, even a handheld flashlight—many sightings occur around dusk or dawn. Hike the upper waterfall trail—most reports come from its damp, secluded ridges. Travel light and stay quiet; if you’re lucky (or unlucky), silence makes detection easier. Respect wildlife and the land—these forests are home to bears, elk, and the legendary cryptid(s).
Final Reflection
Whether Bigfoot’s lurking shadow is myth or reality, it keeps the spirit of Alaska alive at Waterfall Resort. Fishing here is already a lifer experience—but the possibility of glimpsing something unknown gives it an intoxicating edge.
Shane higdon 