Find your favorite troll in Detroit Lakes
Minnesota’s forests have long inspired tall tales, legendary characters and cherished photo ops. The summer of 2024, thanks to a massive community effort, a fresh fairy tale coaxes people into the outdoors and onto a one-of-a-kind treasure hunt for supersized trolls. International recycling artist Thomas Dambo and crews built their biggest troll ever with 36-foot-high Long Leif, towering above a clearing at Detroit Mountain near Detroit Lakes.
The long, lanky Leif joins four other giant trolls, including playful Ronny Funny Face peeking from behind a tree at Dunton Locks County Park and Jacob EverEar, who reclines peacefully overlooking the Otter Tail River. Have your mobile phone ready for memorable selfies, as the family in this video did.
The Danish artist’s work promotes transforming scrap wood and trash into art while creating an interactive fairy tale that guides participants on a treasure hunt for the five trolls, one villainous Golden Rabbit and three magic mirror portals.
Their locations (found on the downloadable map) in public places such as parks or along trails between Fargo to the west and Perham to the east offer clues to finding the well-hidden Golden Rabbit. (If you find it, shhhhh, don’t give it away!)
Dambo, his team from Denmark and other countries, and more than 300 volunteers spent four intense weeks building the largest exhibition of these unique trolls in the United States, along with more than 800 birdhouses for the well-known birding area and migration hotspot.
Project 412, a community-building non-profit organization which supports arts projects, sponsored the trolls and coordinated volunteers with the mission of bringing people together and drawing new visitors to the region.
Some volunteers came from across the country to help build the trolls. The Minnesota trolls bring the number of Dambo’s recycled trolls to 138. Wood-shingled trolls with twiggy hair, expressive faces, and tree-bark eyebrows can be seen lurking, lounging and sparking child-like delight in 20 other countries across five continents.
While in the Midwest, continue your troll hunting in two neighboring states. About eight hours from Detroit Lakes, is Wisconsin’s first Thomas Dambo troll whose flowers are repurposed lamp posts. Something BIG arrived in Wauwatosa Wisconsin – Mama Rosa in Firefly Grove Park!
Just five hours from Mama Rosa in neighboring state Michigan you’ll discover a troll in Schoolcraft County with a beard that stretches into the river. At 30 feet long, Benny the Beard Fisher is Michigan’s first Thomas Dambo troll located at Northland Outfitters Campground & Canoe in Germfask.
In Minnesota, start the free family-friendly troll hunt in Detroit Lakes’ City Park. There you’ll find Alexa, a spoon-wielding troll in need of ingredients as she plans to brew a special elixir to counteract the spell cast by the Golden Rabbit with its beady eyes made from motorcycle helmets.
Alexa’s book begins the adventure and decodes the symbols found at each site. Because the trolls encourage travelers to unplug, get outdoors and enjoy the region’s famed lakes and rolling natural beauty, be sure to wear comfortable shoes, pack water and snacks, bug repellent and sunscreen.
See if you can solve the riddle, find the rabbit, complete the mission that transforms trash into storybook treasures.
(Psst… If you’re short on time or need a fully paved trail, head to Dunton Locks County Park and stick out your tongue at Ronny Funny Face!)
See the flyer for general locations of Thomas Dambo trolls and portals in the Detroit Lakes area, and more information on Project 412’s website. Did you know Thomas Dambo has 159 trolls and counting? Find them on the map of worldwide locations and visit Thomas Dambo’s YouTube channel.