Willow Creek China Flat Museum
Historical place · Willow Creek ·

Willow Creek China Flat Museum

Historical place · Willow Creek ·

Local history, mining, and Bigfoot research exhibits.

bigfoot
local history
friendly staff
volunteer run
historical pieces
bigfoot statue
donation based
missed hours
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by ladylaurademarest (Atlas Obscura User)
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by ladylaurademarest (Atlas Obscura User)
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by ladylaurademarest (Atlas Obscura User)
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by Photo by J. Stephen Conn
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null
Willow Creek China Flat Museum by null

Information

38949 CA-299, Willow Creek, CA 95573 Get directions

Information

Static Map

38949 CA-299, Willow Creek, CA 95573 Get directions

+1 530 629 2653
thebigfootmuseum.com
@thebigfootmuseum

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Last updated

Jan 14, 2026

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@atlasobscura
4,908 Postcards · 2,018 Cities

The Great American Bigfoot Tour

"A small museum in an out-of-the-way town southeast of Redwoods National Park boasts an interesting collection of Bigfoot artifacts, footprint casts, theories, and media. In addition to the Bigfoot-related specimens, there is a nice collection of antique/vintage items from decades past as well as a gift shop, but it is the cryptozoological artifacts that really make it something special. The town of Willow Creek is near Bluff Creek, the location where the famous and controversial Patterson-Gimlin video of Bigfoot was originally filmed, spurring the creation of the exhibit. There are casts of footprints, toys, pictures, and videos of the legendary creature. The whole place is guarded by a huge wooden Sasquatch sculpted from a Redwood Tree.    Near the museum, a scenic route can be taken through the Klamath Mountains where the valley views are perfectly reminiscent of the famous Bigfoot video. The Bald Hills Scenic Drive into Redwoods National Park can be easily accessed from Willow Creek, though the road is very windy and sometimes unnerving for those uninitiated to driving through mountainous areas. The views offered in this area are nothing short of spectacular.  This museum runs on donations and charges no admission fee, because while Bigfoot might not be real, big bills very much are. Please provide a donation is you visit." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/great-american-bigfoot-tour
ladylaurademarest (Atlas Obscura User)
Willow Creek China Flat Museum
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Bigfoot Museum in Willow Creek This isn't technically a Bigfoot museum, but it is dedicated to the history of the area, namely eastern Humboldt County and western Trinity County. It just so happens that the region is known as "Bigfoot Country," so it's understandable the Sasquatch exhibition has become the main attraction at this roadside stop. The display has casts, photos, maps, and other research pertaining to tracking down the mysterious creature. There's so much research it's actually contained in a separate study center building. It's also updated regularly—as new materials come in.... We're not saying he's out there, but if he is anywhere, it would be here."

Top Attractions in Redwood National Park
Photo by J. Stephen Conn
Willow Creek China Flat Museum

Eric L.

Google
Interesting stop if you’re passing through. We came here on a Wed while in the area. Note that they’re closed on Mon and Tue. There is an interesting collection of local history and a separate room dedicated for Bigfoot information, print casts and photos. For a small town whose logging industry has been declining, Bigfoot is probably the only thing keeping the town alive. Staff was friendly and shared brief history of the town. Supposedly a small place that attracts retirees. Regardless if you’re a believer of Bigfoot or not, it is worth a stop to indulge in the lore.

Holly Royall F.

Google
Interesting facts, pictures and lots of different kinds of information, not just about big foot. The staff is great and very welcoming

Talius937

Google
Nice stop for info that turned into over an hour looking around at all the historical pieces they had. Laid out very nicely had a side wing of all bigfoot info. Some good info on bigfoot like the maps in the pics, news articles and plaster foot casts. The nice lady that was running the center was super friendly and fun to talk with. Definitely worth stopping by if you get in the area.

Todd A.

Google
This was a great little place to visit, and the owner was great. He took the time to talk with us and answered all our questions. He was friendly as well as knowledgeable.

Katy

Google
We visited this place because of the Bigfoot display. It's great fun! There are other local historic things that fascinate. My dad was born nearby and it was interesting to see displays of things he and others had talked of when I was younger. Small, worth the trip. Hope to visit when they have the blacksmith and other reenactments.

WhiteCollar N.

Google
I expected so much more, but the dated exhibits were pretty minimal. The staff were really nice and friendly though. The town of Willow Creek needs to invest in this museum to make it much more interesting and to draw in more tourists.

Paul J.

Google
I visited in 2018 and it was a dream come true. I've wanted to come to Willow Creek since I started reading about Bigfoot in the 80's as a child. The museum is small, the Bigfoot collection is one of the two rooms, but it is packed with artifacts, dioramas, and so many footprint casts! There is no admission cost, so be sure to spend some money in the gift shop.

Ang H.

Google
Loved this place. It is full of history and fun stuff! Love the Big Foot information. They have a few books there you can read through of people's experiences with sightings of the old Harry man!!! Recommend it if you are looking for something to do.
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Susan C.

Yelp
I gave three stars because the website stated the museum was open today 3/10/22 and it wasn't. My husband and I drove out to visit this museum on our way down the 101 as we are heading home from a trip to Oregon. The drive on the 299 wasn't too bad but there was roadwork clearing tree debris so it took longer than anticipated to reach Willow Creek and then finding the museum closed made our little side trip even more disappointing. I hope the website will be updated to show accurate hours of operation and/or if the museum is permanently closed? We really wanted to check it out and hope to revisit at a later date.
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Neal E.

Yelp
The Willow Creek-China Flat Museum is also known as the "Bigfoot Museum," being located in Willow Creek - the "Bigfoot Capital" of North America! The museum houses a number of exhibits including what early pioneer life was like in the area, a Miner's exhibit, a Blacksmith exhibit - and of course, lots of Bigfoot information! I visited primarily for the Bigfoot stuff. When I was a little kid - about 10 years old, I saw the movie: "The Legend of Boggy Creek." Scared the crap out of me - and for a few years, I was pretty sure Bigfoot was out there lurking about. Still fun though. I was staying in nearby McKinleyville on vacation - it's about a 40 mile drive from Arcata to Willow Creek up Rt 299. You go over 2 mountain ranges on the way to Willow Creek. In the summer, the temperature was about 63 F in Arcata when I headed to Willow Creek - and 40 miles later - it was 104 degrees F in Willow Creek! #WillowCreekChinaFlatMuseum #Bigfoot
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Rosa Esmeralda S.

Yelp
Fun stop on the way to the coast. Couldn't pass up a pic with Bigfoot. Sadly no sightings of Bigfoot.
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Ed M.

Yelp
After being so excited about coming to Willow Creek and going to the BIGFOOT MUSEUM!! What a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I'm a BIG believer but the museum didn't do it right. The statue out front is amazing but the Bigfoot area in the museum was lame. The Bigfoot encounter near Elajay was 10 times better than this one. The lady who ran this spot was very nice but don't waste your time coming. The only thing great is the wooden sculpture out front. Sad, very sad.
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William G.

Yelp
If your hunting for Bigfoot you need to start your search where it all began! Willow Creek has castings of foot prints , photos , stories and much more. When you are in Northern California this is a must see. There are plenty of locals that can tell you of Bigfoot sightings also. Don't forget to check out the Trinity River when your in town , make sure to check the hours and make sure it's open, it's ran by volunteers who may not be there, recommend
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Karen C.

Yelp
I absolutely enjoyed coming to this little museum. I found out about it from my book, Road Trip: Pacific Coast Highway. Yes it's a little far away from PCH but I thought it was worth it. Plus the drive there is just beautiful. If you're a fan of the Sasquatch (Bigfoot) you'll enjoy coming here and talking to the owner. This museum is a must see if you love Bigfoot. They have a huge wooden Bigfoot statue in front of the museum that you can't miss. The lady here is such a sweetheart. She's very nice and was well informed of Bigfoot and people's encounters with the Sasquatch. They also have various books on Bigfoot and people's encounter with Bigfoot. This museum is very informational. They had interesting artifacts of the area and of people's encounters with Bigfoot. I enjoyed looking at all the different things they had at the museum. It's a small museum that runs on donations so be sure to purchase something before you leave. If you need. Oh foot merchandise, they have it!
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Dara K.

Yelp
Great little local museum with much more than bigfoot. Native American and mining and logging history as well. All volunteer run and donation based. Friendly and centrally located in willow creek

Loro G.

Yelp
I spoke to I think the nicest volunteer here, also sold great shirts. Very fun museum with donated items such as a wheelchair. Very fun, came for the Bigfoot statue outside and left with a trip highlight
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Jeff B.

Yelp
Website gives times and days of operation. We travelled and hour out of our way to visit this museum, only to find out that it was closed for the season. This would have been good Information to include in the website. We will not be making the mistake of trying this business again.
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Julia N.

Yelp
My husband loves all things Bigfoot so I surprised him and rode motorcycles 250 miles to Willowcreek. Says Bigfoot Museum is closed for fall and winter. Last time I checked, it is spring. Call first, huge disappointment. There is a number to call on bulletin board, but I doubt someone would drop everything on a Sunday morning to open (which is listed as time open).

Yasmin R.

Yelp
Website and maps say it's open till 4pm. Drove all the way from Oregon to get here at 12am just for it to be closed. Wish they would update their site and everything so as to not waste peoples time. Very disappointed won't be trying again