People have always had a fascination with legends shrouded in mystery, and Sasquatch is high on that list. To this day, Sasquatch fans scour the countryside hoping to catch a glimpse (and a video) of the elusive creature. If you’re seeking Sasquatch, there’s no better highway to travel than the Scenic 7! The route is a hotbed of Sasquatch legend and lore. In fact, the Harrison-Chehalis region is the territory of the Sts’ailes First Nation, whose experiences with the creature go back thousands of years. Depictions of the hairy, dark biped were found at Sasquatch Mountain in paintings made 3,000 to 7,000 years ago by the Sts’ailes people. Their word “Sa:sq’ets” is used to describe the figure as a caretaker who watches over the land; and the word “Sasquatch” is believed to have originated from it.

Today, signs of Sasquatch can be found all along the Scenic 7 — and we’ll let you know where the best spots are for Sasquatch stories, selfies, and souvenirs! Let’s start in Hope and travel west along the Scenic 7!

 

HOPE

Credits: demianaimed on Instagram

Sasquatch Caves

The Sasquatch Caves, located on Old Yale Road in Silver Creek, are thought to be named after a family of Sasquatches that were once spotted inside. It looks to be the result of a massive rockslide, which then formed the crevices and caves you see today.

The caves sit on the property of the Holiday Motel, so please be respectful and pop inside to sign a waiver and confirm parking!

Carvings

The town of Hope is famous for its artistic chainsaw carvings, which include Sasquatch creations. At the intersection of Wallace Street and 3rd Avenue stands a tall chainsaw-carved Sasquatch known as Harry; the namesake and wooden version of the Sasquatch in the movie “Harry and the Hendersons”. Harry was skillfully carved by well-known local chainsaw carver Randy Swope. Another of his creations, at the intersection of Wallace Street and Fraser Avenue, depicts a tourist holding a souvenir: a small Sasquatch carving.

In front of the Hope District Hall on Wallace Street, you’ll find a stunning Sasquatch-themed wooden bench crafted by local chainsaw carving legend, Pete Ryan. The intricately detailed bench includes a portrayal of Hope BC, featuring trees, mountains, and wildlife. Sasquatch hovers above the scene with his arms outstretched, enveloping the scene below him, as if protecting the region.

SYÉx̱w Chó:leqw Adventure Park

The Syéxw Chó:leqw Adventure Park is a tranquil 33-acre park owned and operated by Sq’ewá:lxw (Skawahlook) First Nation. Located about halfway in between Hope and Agassiz, this park features walking and mountain biking trails, a huge playground, and fascinating works of art, including Sasquatch carvings. A towering Sasquatch carving greets you when you first enter the park!

RUBY CREEK

Ruby Creek is recorded in Sasquatch history for a sighting back in 1941. Jeanne Chapman and her children spotted a large creature approaching their house, walking upright on two legs. Giant footprints were left behind, as well as a broken barrel of salted salmon, partially eaten. This sighting was of note because it was the first time that a law enforcement officer from the U.S. travelled to Canada to investigate a Sasquatch incident.

If you’re visiting the Ruby Creek area, be sure to stop in to the Ruby Creek Art Gallery.  This beautiful gallery is owned and operated by the Sq’ewá:lxw (Skawahlook) First Nation and is dedicated to promoting the work of the best Northwest First Nations artists. A photo on their website boasts: “Sasquatch Shops Here!”.  Learn more here.

 

HARRISON HOT SPRINGS

Harrison Hot Springs is Sasquatch Central! The area is renowned for sightings, and the village is abundant with all things Sasquatch.

Tourism Harrison Visitor Centre and Sasquatch Museum

Located at 499 Hot Springs Road, this is an absolute must-see and a great first stop as you drive into the village. As you step inside, you’ll immediately feel welcome when you see a friendly looking, gigantic Sasquatch smiling at you, Hot Springs Harry, all ready to have his picture taken.

The Visitor Centre is home to the Sasquatch Museum. You’ll find articles about the Sts’ailes First Nation’s rich history with Sasquatch; numerous Sasquatch footprint casts; a map and descriptions of local sightings; and articles about legendary past (and modern-day) Sasquatch researchers. There are countless research articles to read and historical photos to browse, and an interactive computer kiosk. Read more about Harrison Hot Springs’ Sasquatch here.

The Visitor Centre also carries a huge selection of Sasquatch themed souvenirs and merchandise such as key chains, magnets, stuffies in various sizes, kids’ activity kits; and a huge selection of books. And then there are the fun products like “Sasquatch Sweat Soap” (the label reads “guaranteed not to grow hair!”).

Sasquatch Country Adventures

Book a unique outing with Sasquatch Country Adventures. A local Sasquatch expert talks and tours you around forest service roads above Harrison Lake in an open-air 6-seat utility vehicle. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn everything you ever wanted to know about Sasquatch; and a most enjoyable excursion surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Tours available April through October. See the details here.

Sasquatch Days

Check out Sasquatch Days: a two-day event happening every June that celebrates the Sts’ailes First Nation’s and Harrison’s long history with Sasquatch. The first Sasquatch Days was celebrated in 1938 and the tradition continues with a fun and informative event featuring canoe races, medicine walks, entertainment, an artisan and vendor market, and a traditional salmon barbecue. Both Sts’ailes experts and local Harrison Hot Springs investigators will lead talks about the mystical creature.

Sasquatch Selfie Stops

We challenge you to complete Harrison’s “Sasquatch Selfie Challenge”:  See if you can find and take selfies with the seven Sasquatch that inhabit the village! Fear not, we’ll help you find them:

1. First, is the giant Sasquatch stuffie mentioned earlier in the Visitor Centre! He already has a great camera-ready smile, no need to say “cheese!”
2. Another amazing Sasquatch can be found on Hot Springs Road where it meets McPherson Road. This is the location of Harrison’s beautifully crafted welcome sign. Sitting right next to the sign as if relaxing and enjoying the day, is a carved Sasquatch, known as “Hot Springs Harry”. The subject of many Instagram photos, Harry sits on a bench with his arm outstretched, just waiting for you (with enough room for your friends), to take a seat and a selfie with him.
3. As you continue into town, the next Sasquatch you’ll see is at #670 Hot Springs Road, next to the Springs RV Resort sign. This is a more formidable looking Sasquatch, hefting a large rock over his head. A pose with this scary looking beast is a great opportunity to capture a dramatic selfie!
4. Next, head to the Harrison Village Mall. On the corner of Esplanade Avenue and Hot Springs Road, it’s a strip mall dotted with charming shops and cafés. Sitting outside on a wooden bench, is a pleasant, portly, and often photographed Sasquatch. This Sasquatch is so highly regarded, he even has his own designated parking space! Directly in front of him, you’ll see the parking spot with the words “Sasquatch Parking Only” neatly painted on the concrete. It seems both visitors and locals abide by it, for the spot is usually empty even if the rest of the parking lot is full!
5. Just south, across the street from the Harrison Village Mall, you’ll find another Sasquatch. At Village Pizzeria restaurant, you’ll see a wooden Sasquatch holding a slice of pizza.
6. You will find many signs of Sasquatch along Esplanade Avenue. On the east corner of Hot Springs Road and Esplanade Avenue, there’s a large directory of businesses with a small metal Sasquatch figure at the top of it. As you continue to walk east, you’ll see that the sidewalk features a trail of Sasquatch “footprints” along the way. Further down, on the lake side of the street, you will see one of the newer Sasquatch statues near the performance stage. Although fearsome looking in his expression, this Sasquatch is closer to human size, so you can fit nicely together for a picture (don’t worry, he won’t bite). Esplanade Avenue is teeming with Sasquatch photo opportunities…even a nearby electrical box is Sasquatch themed!
7. The last Sasquatch on the list is probably too large to fit in a “selfie” but deserves a photo all its own. If you head to Harrison Hot Springs Resort, then continue past it on the walking trail that curves north west, you will see a series of utility buildings featuring striking Indigenous art on the sides. This includes a very grand line-art installation of the Sts’ailes Sasquatch. This figure is a cultural icon of the Sts’ailes People; in fact, it is trademarked to the Sts’ailes First Nation, and is internationally recognized. It is truly a work of art, so be sure to find this culturally significant Sasquatch (Sa:sq’ets)!

Sasquatch Souvenirs and Gifts

Maybe you want to bring a little Sasquatch home with you? There are a bounty of charming souvenir shops to explore! At Gift Shops such as Sasquatch Gifts and Souvenirs, Serenity Now, Sticks and Stones Gift Shop, and Blue Dandelion Gifts, you will find a wealth of Sasquatch-themed items. A huge selection of Sasquatch and Bigfoot Books are available, which make for a compelling read, whether you are a “believer” or not! You can also find fridge magnets, key chains, zipper pulls, all in Sasquatch style! Loveable and squishy Sasquatch stuffies in all sizes, are waiting for a snuggle. Pick up a “Sasquatch Crossing” sign for your yard! Then there’s the Sasquatch-themed clothing: clever T-shirts, humorous socks, baseball caps; we even found Sasquatch-themed boxer shorts! The shops are a blast to browse and you’ll be sure to find that perfect Sasquatch gift or keepsake.

Sasquatch Provincial Park

Credits: sarahsnatureandstuff on Instagram

Six kilometers northeast of Harrison Hot Springs, you will find the spectacular, sprawling park known as Sasquatch Provincial Park. The park is abundant with outdoor opportunities for fishing, hiking, camping, swimming, and boating. There are 3 main lakes (Hicks Lake, Deer Lake, and Trout Lake), nestled amongst thousands of acres of glorious forest.

Sasquatch Mountain Resort

Credits: sarahlkemp on Instagram

Tucked away high above Harrison Lake is the Sasquatch Mountain Resort. Built in a natural snow-bowl formation, this resort features skiing, snowboarding, a tube park, terrain park, snowshoe trails, and snowmobile tour. Stay at their Snowflake Resort Chalet, and have a bite at the on-site Sasquatch Mountain Cafeteria or Molly Hogan’s Pub. (P.S. There is a Sasquatch carving at the resort, an opportunity for another Sasquatch selfie!) Click here for a resort map and details.

Sasquatch Inn

On the way back from the ski hill, you can book a stay or have a meal at the Sasquatch Inn. It’s a beautiful log building located right on the Scenic 7 Highway. The pub’s menu includes delicious fare like the Legendary Sasquatch Burger and Sasquatch Supreme Pizza. Learn more here.

Sandpiper Resort Golf Course

The Sandpiper Resort Golf Course, located in Harrison Mills, features the signature hole (the 486-yard, par 5 fifteenth) where the footprint of the legendary Sasquatch guards the green. Pop in for a round and see for yourself! Book your tee time here.

 

MISSION

Credits: siamak.saadatmand on Instagram

Mission made international headlines with a Sasquatch siting in 2013. As the story goes, a couple were hiking on a logging road above Mission. While taking photos, they saw and recorded a large, hairy creature on top of a hill in the distance. At first sight they assumed it was a bear, but then it stood up on two legs and moved in the loping style attributed to Sasquatch.

A unique activity you can do in Mission is through a smartphone app called QuestUpon. It features location-based interactive, virtual reality adventures. Through trivia, geocaching and scavenger hunts, the app lets you engage with the environment around you. One of their quests is “Sasquatch in Mission”. As you answer trivia questions, you learn more about Mission; and when you make it through all the levels of the quest, you’ll be able to find a virtual reality Sasquatch and photograph it on your smartphone! Sasquatch found!

 

Interested in visiting any of these locations? To learn more about these destinations or other communities and attractions along the Scenic 7 Highway, visit our website.