In the misty forests of Southwest Virginia, locals whisper of a creature that roams the ridgelines at night a towering, hairy beast that’s both feared and beloved.
They call it the Wood Booger, a name passed down through generations in Wise County and Norton, Virginia. Some say it’s just another name for Bigfoot, but around these mountains, the Wood Booger has a legend and a personality all its own.
A Name Born from Fear
The story of the Wood Booger goes back over a century.
According to an article from The Old Post dated November 24, 1892, the creature earned its unusual name after the Boogeyman — because parents warned their children that the “Wood Booger” would carry off those who wandered too far into the woods at night.
It wasn’t just a bedtime story, though. Early settlers in the area spoke of strange footprints, echoing howls, and dark shapes moving between the trees. Hunters returned from the mountains shaken, telling tales of being watched by something massive and unseen.
Even today, older locals will tell you: “Don’t go into the woods after dark — or the Wood Booger’ll get ya.”
Modern Sightings Around Norton
While the legend has roots in old folklore, sightings in the Norton area have kept the story alive.
The Flag Rock Recreation Area, just outside town, is considered the creature’s territory. Hikers have reported catching glimpses of a huge, man-shaped figure moving silently among the trees, and some have even claimed to hear deep, guttural growls echoing through the hollows late at night.
One local man, interviewed during filming for Finding Bigfoot, recalled a chilling encounter while deer hunting near High Knob:
“I was up in my tree stand around dusk when everything went dead quiet. Then I heard heavy footsteps coming up behind me — two legs, not four. I thought it was another hunter, but when I turned, it was something massive, dark brown, broad-shouldered. It looked right at me, then turned and walked back into the trees like it didn’t have a care in the world.”
Another report came from a group of teenagers camping near Lower Norton Reservoir in the early 2000s.
They described being woken around 3 a.m. by thudding footsteps and the sound of snapping branches. When they shined their flashlights toward the sound, they caught sight of two glowing amber eyes — about eight feet off the ground — before whatever it was turned and vanished into the woods. The group broke camp and left before sunrise.
And in Wise County, a hiker on the Chief Benge Scout Trail reported finding massive footprints — nearly 16 inches long — crossing a muddy streambed. He said the steps were spaced too far apart for any human to make, and whatever left them had enormous weight behind it.
Finding Bigfoot and the Local Legend
The legend of the Wood Booger gained national attention when Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot came to Norton to investigate.
Initially, the team thought there weren’t many reports — until they held a town hall meeting. The room filled quickly, and soon people were lining up to share their own unreported encounters.
Hunters, hikers, and even children came forward, describing the same thing:
A bulky, humanoid creature, standing seven to eight feet tall, covered in brown or black fur, with an overpowering odor and glowing eyes that reflected light like an animal’s.
The team conducted night investigations in the surrounding forest — and several unexplained vocalizations were recorded near Flag Rock that night.
Since the show aired, the Wood Booger has become a local celebrity.
Visitors now come from all over to hike the mountain, hoping for a glimpse of Norton’s most famous resident.
A Monster Turned Mascot
Today, Norton has fully embraced its hairy legend.
At Flag Rock Recreation Area, a life-sized statue of the Wood Booger stands guard over the overlook, perfect for photos — though some locals joke that the real one isn’t far away.
There’s even a restaurant downtown called the Wood Booger Grill, where visitors can order a “Bigfoot Burger” under the watchful eyes of murals and carvings dedicated to the creature.
Every year, the town hosts the Wood Booger Festival, celebrating local folklore with food, crafts, live music, and guided “Wood Booger Search Hikes” through the surrounding trails.
It’s part celebration, part tribute — and part invitation for the brave to step into the woods and see what might be waiting in the dark.
The Truth Behind the Legend
So, what is the Wood Booger?
To some, it’s simply Bigfoot by another name, a Southern cousin of the creature said to roam the Pacific Northwest. Others think it’s a unique Appalachian species, tougher and more elusive, shaped by the dense forests and fog-covered ridges of Virginia’s mountains.
Skeptics say it’s misidentified wildlife — maybe a bear walking upright, or a tall tale passed down through generations.
But for many in Norton, the Wood Booger isn’t a story. It’s a presence.
They’ve heard the footsteps. They’ve seen the shadows. And they’ll tell you — if you ever find yourself on a quiet trail in the Flag Rock woods, you’re never truly alone.
Loved the terrifying history of the Wood Booger?
Don’t just read about them listen to their stories.
We’ve compiled all the state’s most famous and frightening creatures into one place.
