From skinwalkers to La Llorona to the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, we have our fair share of urban legends in Arizona. One of them is the Mogollon Monster: an ape-like creature that allegedly stalks the dense forest landscape of the Mogollon Rim, similar to Bigfoot or other bipedal cryptids. Have you ever heard the story? If not, you’re in for a spine-chilling read! Do you believe in the Mogollon Monster? You might after you’re done with this article…

Did you know Arizona has its very own Bigfoot?
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The creature is known as the "Mogollon Monster," and the tale promises to leave you lying awake at night, especially if cryptids give you the creeps (same).
It may be known as the Mogollon Monster, but the first sighting of the ape-like cryptid occurred near the Grand Canyon in 1903.
Stephen Yelverton Photography / Moment Collection / Getty Images
A man known only as I. W. Stevens told The Arizona Republic he saw a "humanoid creature with long white hair and matted beard that reached to its knees." The monster allegedly did not have on any clothing and possessed at least two-inch-long claws on its talon-like fingers. Thankfully, it wasn't aggressive... at least this time.
The majority of Mogollon Monster sightings are in the dense forest landscape of the Mogollon Rim (hence the moniker). This 2,000-foot-high escarpment stretches from northern Yavapai County to the border with New Mexico and is ridiculously scenic, making it a popular destination for hikers, campers, hunters, and those who love the great outdoors.
Wikimedia Commons/Jedijoe82
Even cryptozoologist Don Davis is a believer. He claims that during a mid-1940s Boy Scout trip near Payson, he laid eyes on a large, hairy creature with expressionless eyes and a square-shaped face and head. He, nor anyone he was with that day, would be able to explain what they saw... just that they saw something in those woods.
According to anecdotal reports, the creature is over seven feet tall, walks upright, and emits a strong, pungent body odor, similar to dead fish or rotting meat.
fotocelia / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection / Getty Images
The monster is allegedly nocturnal, omnivorous, territorial, and, at times, aggressive. It takes wide, inhuman strides, and leaves behind footprints that measure nearly two feet across.

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The Mogollon Monster is said to mimic the noises of wildlife in an attempt to blend in with its surroundings.
Thomas Roche / Moment Collection / Getty Images
Reports also state the creature gives off a blood-curdling scream similar to that of a woman in great peril (though, of course, these could easily be the calls of mountain lions, which also sound an eerie bit like a woman's scream).
Next time you decide to go camping on the rim, keep a watchful eye... you never know what's watching you.
Kyle Ledeboer / Getty Images
One of the monster's favorite activities is exploring campsites after dark, and we don't blame it. After all, bears are fond of the activity, too. Leftover food is a great reward!
Pictured below is a wood carving of the Mogollon Monster, whose existence - whether fact or fiction - is now a permanent object within Arizona's folklore.
Wikimedia Commons/Jedijoe82
Scientists aren't convinced, though, attributing sightings either to hoaxes or general misidentification. Either way, there are a whole host of origin stories for the monster, each one a worthy campfire tale.
So if you ever hear a piercing scream or come across a set of impossibly wide footprints on the Mogollon Rim, run far away and never look back.
Chuck Taylor / 500px Collection / Getty Images
The Mogollon Monster just might be lurking deep in the woods, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Or, at the very least, raid your food stash.

Have you ever heard of the Mogollon Monster – or perhaps even spotted it? Tell us your thoughts and experiences in the comments section. Bonus points for photos of the alleged beast! For more spine-chilling urban legends in Arizona, check out our previous coverage of our favorite Arizona urban legends.

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Mogollon Monster

Tori Jane | December 14, 2022
  1. What is the legend of the Mogollon Monster?  

The Mogollon Monster, aka “Arizona Bigfoot,” is an alleged Arizona cryptid that’s been reported several times in and around the Mogollon Rim area. Like Bigfoot, it’s a large, ape-like being, standing around seven feet in height and surrounded by a very strong, unpleasant odor, like dead fish or perhaps a rotting skunk. It’s thought to mimic birds, coyotes, and other creatures it might hear, and at times, it can supposedly be aggressive. There are Native American legends about the Mogollon Monster of Arizona, too, and it certainly makes for a fascinating – if not frightening – story.  

2. Are there many alleged cryptids in Arizona?  

There are a handful of interesting, alleged cryptids in Arizona, including creatures like:  

  • Thunderbirds  
  • El Chupacabras 
  • Skinwalkers 
  • The Mogollon Monster 

  

3. Where are some famously haunted places in Arizona? 

Arizona was once upon a time the quintessential wild, wild west, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of spooky places that are said to be haunted around the state. Some of the infamous hauntings in Arizona include:  

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Mogollon Rim, Arizona 85541, USA