Meet 13 Giant Trolls Bringing Fairy-Tale Magic to Spots All Over the U.S.

The world of fairy tales is one I'd gladly step into, and I'm not alone. Treehouse rentals, Harry Potter inspired day trips, real-life castles—Only In Your State readers love any and all things magical.

The first time I encountered a Thomas Dambo troll, my heart was captured. I took a detour to Kentucky's Bernheim Forest en route to Nashville, and what I discovered inside this picturesque park delighted both me and my young daughter: a trio of larger-than-life trolls known as Mama Loumari, Little Nis, and Little Elina. This family of three was enough to pique my curiosity in regard to their maker, and after learning more at the Kentucky site, I made sure to bookmark Thomas Dambo's website, wherein I discovered a map plotting out giant trolls all over the U.S.—and world!

For U.S. travelers, allow me to introduce you to 12 giant trolls bringing fairy-tale magic across our already-magical country:

1. Mama Loumari, Little Nis, and Little Elina: Bernheim Forest, Clermont, Kentucky

Located about 2 hours from Cincinnati, Ohio, you'll find a trio of Thomas Dambo trolls who've taken up residence in Bernheim Forest. While large in stature and certainly striking, Mama Loumari, Little Nis, and Little Elina, comprised of earthy, natural materials, feel organic and inherently part of the forest at this hidden gem in Kentucky.

2. Mama Mimi: Rendezvous Park, Wilson, Wyoming

Of all the giant trolls in the U.S., Mama Mimi is, to me, the most compelling. Located in Rendezvous Park near Jackson Hole, I love the way Mama Mimi's leg stretched out into the water and the strength of her arms on the shore. Her pose feels very yogic to me, too, which is a testament to the immense scope and breadth of Dambo's artistic prowess.

4. Ibbi Pip: The Wild Center, Tupper Lake, New York

Lovingly known as the "birdhouse troll," Ibbi Pip was based at Filoli in Woodside, California, as part of the TROLLS: Save the Humans exhibit, a series of six sculptures made from reclaimed wood. While the California exhibit of which Ibbi was a part closed in November 2025, all six trolls will be back at The Wild Center in New York from June 1 to October 31, 2026.

5. Basse Buller: The Wild Center, Tupper Lake, New York

With a buck-toothed grin and dreamy gaze, Basse Buller is an enchanting addition to Dambo's TROLLS: Save the Humans cast of characters. Starting in June 2026, Basse will take up residence in New York's The Wild Center along with Ibbi Pip (pictured above), Kamma Can, Ronja Redeye, Rosa Sunfinger, and Sofus Lotus.

6. Joen and the Giant Beetle: Miami, Florida

In Miami, Florida, Joen and the Giant Beetle is a graffiti-covered troll that's, frankly, the sassiest of the 12 Dambo trolls featured on this list. Erected in 2019 and exhibited in collaboration with Mana Contemporary, Joen blurs the line between trash and treasure, making for a traffic-stopping showpiece at 2270 NW 5th Avenue in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.

7. Pia the Peacekeeper: Sakai Park, Bainbridge Island, Washington

Pia the Peacekeeper is an 18-foot tall gentle giant residing in Sakai Park in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Capturing the essence of Dambo's whimsy and imagination, Pia is a lovely reminder of the importance of community and stewardship.

8. Jakob Two Tree: Rainier Trail, Issaquah, Washington

In Issaquah, Washington, you'll find Jakob Two Trees, one of Thomas Dambo's larger-than-life trolls. Located along the Rainier Trail and fashioned entirely out of recycled materials, Jakob peeks out from the eponymous duo of trees for which he's named, reminding hikers to smile and relish the beautiful surroundings of Mount Rainier National Park.

9. Frankie Feetsplinters: National Nordic Museum, Ballard, Washington

One of six trolls built as part of the Northwest Troll Project, Frankie was constructed in September 2023 by Dambo and a team of volunteers and then assembled on-site at the museum before opening to the public in September 2023. Part of a larger project called NW Trolls: Way of the Bird King, Frankie and his fellow trolls (including the Bird King himself!) can be found all around the Pacific Northwest.

10. Oscar the Bird King: Point Robinson Park, Vashon, Washington

Nestled in the lush woodlands of Washington, Oscar the Bird King is a gentle, bearded giant who is part of Dambo's Northwest Trolls project (which, given Washington's connection to Big Foot, of course Dambo has so many trolls in this U.S. state). One of the most accessible Dambo trolls in the U.S., Oscar is located at Point Robinson Park, a free public park in Washington, in a wooded bluff just a few hundred feet from the upper parking lot.

11. Gro: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine

An unexpected surprise at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine, Guardians of the Seeds is a family of five woodland trolls that epitomize the whimsy and wonder of Dambo's artistry. Sitting in a comfortable, yogic position, Gro is a gentle, grounded giant who is at one with nature.

12. Rita the Rock Planter: Colorado Springs, Colorado

In Colorado Springs, you'll find Rita the Rock Planter, a Dambo troll doing precisely what her name suggests. (Rita's rock work is also a nod to Colorado's rich mining history.) Crouched low and with hands ingrained in the rocky, craggy earth, Rita is one of Dambo's most uniquely positioned and easy-to-access trolls: visitors can either hike the .25-mile Little Grouse Mountain Trail to see her or simply drive directly to the upper parking lot.

13. Dix: Dix Park, Raleigh, North Carolina

As part of Dambo's North Carolina family of seven, Dix joins siblings Dux and Dax, and parents Mother Strong Tail and Daddy Bird Eye in Raleigh's impressive Dix Park. Older siblings Big Pete and Little Sally live in other NC cities, making the Tar Heel State the state with the most trolls. If you visit all seven you can unlock the code to find the coordinates of the "Grandmother Tree"—the metaphorical birthplace for the trolls.

Go on Your Own Troll Hunt

Of course, there are many, many more Dambo trolls scattered across the U.S. and new Dambo trolls being erected all the time, so definitely bookmark the Thomas Dambo Troll Map and confirm installation locations and details before planning a trip. (If you're looking for a fun and whimsical gift idea, Dambo's Trash, Trolls, and Treasure Hunts is a really fun coffee table book). The artist's goal is to have one in every U.S. state—he's currently at more than half. And as you're planning, be sure to keep Only In Your State’s itinerary planner handy for ideas and inspiration.