Encounter Atlas Report an encounter

United States / Maryland

Cryptids and UFOs in Maryland

Snarly Yow, Snallygaster, Chessie and more: the creatures, UFO files and strange history of Maryland, all in one place.

  • 4 creatures with famous cases
  • 170 Air Force UFO files
  • 3 old newspaper reports

Creatures reported in Maryland

Snarly Yowaka Black dog of South Mountain, Black Dog of the National RoadA huge black phantom dog said to haunt the National Road over South Mountain in Maryland.Snallygasteraka Schneller Geist, SnollygosterMaryland's beaked, tentacled dragon from German settler folklore.Chessieaka Chesapeake Bay monster, Chessie the sea serpentA snake-like sea serpent said to wind through the Chesapeake Bay.Goatmanaka Maryland Goatman, Goat ManA half-man, half-goat said to stalk the back roads of suburban Maryland.

Famous cases

  1. 1882Dahlgren publishes South-Mountain Magic, recording the black dog
    Snarly Yow · Turner's Gap, Maryland
  2. 1909Newspaper sightings wave
    Snallygaster · Middletown Valley, Maryland
  3. 1932Second wave of reports
    Snallygaster · Frederick County, Maryland
  4. 1943Perch fishermen sighting
    Chessie · Near Baltimore, Maryland
  5. 1971Folklore project records the legend
    Goatman · University of Maryland, College Park
  6. 1971Newspaper places him on Fletchertown Road
    Goatman · Bowie, Maryland
  7. 1982Frew video
    Chessie · Kent Island, Maryland

UFO files

From the old newspapers

Strange creatures, sea serpents and mystery airships reported in Maryland papers before 1927.

  1. 1909A giant crane attacks two fishermen
    Baltimore
  2. 1921The 'gorilla' of the South Mountain
    Pen Mar
  3. 1921A farmer kills the Queen Anne's County 'gorilla'
    Centreville

Browse all old newspaper reports

Seen something in Maryland?

Tell us what happened. Every report is read by a person before it goes on the map, and you can keep the exact spot private.

Report an encounter Field guides

Other states

ArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsin