If you haven’t discovered them already, there are five, astounding trolls and one secret golden rabbit in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. My mom and I recently took our annual mom/daughter trip up north to hunt these trolls.
What are the trolls? Artist, Thomas Dambo, is a recycle artist and activist who takes trash and turns it into these beautiful treasures. He is creating more than 20 sculptures all around the world, all from recycled materials. Six of these amazing pieces can be found in and around Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. I will share with you some helpful tips to find these sculptures.
Dambo Trolls in MN – Access Easiest to Difficult
PRO TIP: there are purple and yellow birdhouses along the paths to make sure you are headed the correct direction.
- Alexa’s Elixir – Detroit Lakes City Park – Easiest
- There is plenty of parking around the park. Alexa is a short walk from Washington Avenue, about 200 feet.
- Ronny Funny Face – Dunton Locks County Park – Easy to Moderate
- There is a paved parking lot very close to a paved, walking path. The walk is about 0.3 miles to this troll. the path is pretty flat.
- Once you arrive, there are some steep rocks if you want to go up to the sculpture, otherwise you can get great photos from the path as well.
- Jacob Everear – : Wannigan Regional Park – Moderate
- The parking for Jacob is not paved, but there are plenty of spots. The walking path is paved and is about a 0.3 mile walk. The walk is mostly flat, with some slight hills.
- You will find a pretty stream of water with a cool bridge along the way and there are several benches if you would like to stop to enjoy the scenery.
- Once you arrive to see Jacob, there is a dirt path and some stacked rocks if you want to climb up for a closer photo.
- Barefoot Frida – Ortenstone Gardens at the corner of Randolph Road and Hwy 54 – Moderate to Difficult
- The 0.3 mile hike into see Barefoot Frida is uneven and unpaved. There are many steep hills and you must watch your step. Once you get down to see her, there is a very narrow path and a stream of water with large boulders.
- It is worth the hike, but anyone who has trouble walking may have difficulty accessing.
- Long Leif – Mountain Recreational Center – Moderate to Difficult
- Similar to Barefoot Frida, Long Leif has a narrow, unpaved walking path, also 0.3 mile. There are many steep hills and I do not recommend going after rain as it will be muddy.
- Leif is the tallest troll at 42.65 feet.
- Golden Rabbit – Secret Spot – Most Difficult
- In order to find the Golden Rabbit, you must collect the clues from each of the 5 trolls’ necklaces. From there, use this key, also found in Alexa’s book, to find the location.
- This hike is about 0.5 mile with several steep hills. I recommend wearing good tennis shoes to see this one and avoid going after a heavy rain, as it would be muddy.
- The hike is beautiful through lots of nature and this rabbit is completely different from the others, so totally worth the hunt and hike.
How to Prepare
- Wear good hiking or tennis shoes
- Bring water with you
- Follow the purple and yellow birdhouses to stay on the right path
- Don’t forget your camera and use your panoramic setting!
- Stop by the following shops for Troll memorabilia.
- Detroit Mountain Recreation Area Shop
- Lakeshirts
- Becker County Museum
