8th Annual Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference 2026

The Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference returns to the Gatlinburg Convention Center on Saturday, July 25, 2026, bringing together TV personalities, academic researchers, field investigators, and thousands of believers and skeptics for the 8th annual gathering.

Running 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., this single-day event has sold out weeks in advance in past years—VIP seats gone in under 72 hours—as attendees travel from across the country to hear from leading names in cryptozoology and share their own encounters with one of North America’s most enduring mysteries.

The speaker lineup brings together perspectives you won’t find at typical cryptid events. Past conferences have featured Jeffrey Meldrum, an Idaho State University anatomist who applies scientific analysis to Sasquatch evidence through fossil footprint comparison and primate anatomy; Cliff Barackman from Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot, who maintains one of the largest collections of Bigfoot track casts in North America; David Paulides, investigator behind the Missing 411 series examining unexplained disappearances in national parks; and Ronny LeBlanc from Expedition Bigfoot and Paranormal Caught on Camera. The conference balances academic rigor with field experience—you’ll hear Meldrum discuss bipedal locomotion patterns, then listen to BFRO investigators share audio recordings of tree knocks and vocalizations captured in the Smokies’ backcountry.

What sets this conference apart is the encounter session hosted by Cam Buckner of Dixie Cryptid. Between main speakers, attendees who’ve had their own Bigfoot experiences can share their stories on stage, displaying images, audio recordings, and video evidence on the big screen. The selection process is competitive—sign up through the conference website and you might be chosen to present your encounter to hundreds of fellow enthusiasts and researchers who’ll analyze your evidence in real time. Past conferences have also premiered documentary films like Small Town Monsters’ “On the Trail of Bigfoot: The Ancients,” offering exclusive first viewings before wider release.

Why the Smokies Matter

The Great Smoky Mountains’ Bigfoot connection runs deeper than modern sightings. Cherokee oral tradition describes Tsul ‘Kalu, a giant forest being who protects animals in the mountains—stories that predate European settlement by centuries and center on the same remote valleys where modern researchers log encounters. The 500,000-acre national park offers vast tracts of undisturbed forest with deep gorges, old-growth timber, and abundant water sources.

Hikers near Clingmans Dome report feeling watched, strange vocalizations echoing through the valleys, and massive footprints pressed into the trail mud. The Cosby area in particular has produced reports of 1,000-yard-long trails of enormous tracks.

The Appalachian Mountains form what cryptozoologists call a “cryptid highway”—a migration corridor connecting the Smokies to reported sighting areas throughout Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia, following rivers, ridgelines, and valleys away from human development.

Planning Your Visit

Tickets: General admission runs $30, with tiered seating options called Hairy Man ($40), Yeti ($50), and Sasquatch ($60) that get you closer to the stage. The VIP package ($175) includes premium front-center seating, admission to Friday night’s Meet & Greet dinner (now a 3-hour event where you can talk directly with speakers), skip-the-line entry Saturday, an official conference t-shirt, and surprise extras. All seats are reserved—buy tickets early as past conferences have sold out.

What to Bring:

• Questions for speaker Q&A sessions after each presentation
• Cash for vendor merchandise (books, documentaries, field equipment, artwork)
• Camera for photos with speakers and vendors
• Comfortable shoes for moving between lecture halls and vendor areas

Food: The convention center offers concessions. For the lunch break (one hour mid-event), several restaurants are within a quick walk, though you’ll want to move fast to make it back before the afternoon sessions resume. Pancake Pantry (founded 1960, Tennessee’s first pancake house) serves breakfast all day at traffic light #6. Bennett’s Pit BBQ on River Road smokes meats over hickory for up to 14 hours—generous portions make it a good spot for quick refueling.

Good to Know: While children are welcome with paid tickets, the conference content is intended for a mature audience. Presentations discuss evidence, field research methodologies, and witness accounts that may not hold the attention of younger children for a full nine-hour day.

Beyond the Conference

Between sessions or after the 6 p.m. conclusion, Gatlinburg offers immediate access to the same landscapes where Bigfoot reports originate. The Gatlinburg Trail follows the Little Pigeon River into Great Smoky Mountains National Park—an easy flat walk that allows leashed dogs and puts you in dense forest within minutes of the convention center. For couples combining the conference with a mountain getaway, see these romantic options in Gatlinburg that work well for a weekend centered on mystery and wilderness. This combination of cryptid research and national park access makes the area one of the best national parks destinations for families seeking both adventure and education.

If you’re interested in extending the mystery theme, Mysterious Mansion and other attractions along the Parkway offer year-round entertainment, though July brings summer crowds. The Arts and Crafts Community, about 10 minutes away, features over 100 studios along an eight-mile mountain creek loop—a good contrast to convention center hours. You can also explore nearby Pigeon Forge—this comparison guide helps you decide which town to base in.

Where to Stay

Most conference attendees book cabins for the weekend to create a comfortable base. The Glades Road and Upper Middle Creek Road areas put you close to the convention center while offering quieter settings with river views and mountain scenery. Cabins with outdoor decks, fire pits, and hot tubs work well for groups discussing the day’s presentations under the stars—exactly the kind of remote wooded setting where Bigfoot reports cluster.

Lake.com lists properties in Gatlinburg sleeping 4 to 12, many with easy Parkway access and proximity to walking trails. Book by early June for the July conference to secure the best options—Gatlinburg’s summer lodging fills quickly, especially properties with forest views.

Common Questions Asked by Attendees

Has there been Bigfoot sightings in the Smoky Mountains?

Yes. The Great Smoky Mountains have a rich history of sightings, particularly near Clingmans Dome and along remote sections of the Appalachian Trail. Reports include massive footprints, strange vocalizations, and encounters with large bipedal creatures. The Cosby area has reported 1,000-yard-long trails of enormous tracks. Cherokee oral tradition predates European settlement with stories of Tsul ‘Kalu, a giant forest being protecting animals in these mountains.

What is the history of the Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference?

The inaugural Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference was held in 2019 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. It sold out weeks in advance, with VIP seats gone in under 72 hours. The conference has grown annually—2020 saw over 1,200 attendees. The 2026 event will be the 8th annual conference.

What is the Bigfoot festival in Tennessee?

The Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference is held annually in late July at the Gatlinburg Convention Center (234 Historic Nature Trail). It’s a single-day event (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) featuring leading researchers, TV personalities, academic speakers, vendor halls, encounter sessions, and Q&A with experts. Expected attendance: 2,500.

What is the historical background of the conference?

Founded by Gather Up Events, the conference launched to bring together cryptozoology researchers and enthusiasts in one of the eastern U.S.’s most active Bigfoot regions. East Tennessee Bigfoot, a local research organization formed in 2005, helped establish the regional foundation. The conference has featured speakers from Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot, BFRO researchers, and academics like Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum.

When was the last Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference?

The 7th annual conference was held July 26, 2025. The 8th annual conference is scheduled for July 25, 2026.