Get ready to see the trolls in Detroit Lakes this summer!
The Trolls in Detroit Lakes
A new, whimsical art installation has come to the Detroit Lakes area thanks to Danish artist and activist Thomas Dambo. Grab the kids and go on a treasure hunt to find 5 giant trolls and a golden rabbit through a sequence of riddles and clues. Some are as tall as 36 feet!
All the sculptures are made from recycled materials, to remind viewers that all trash can be treasure.
About the Artist
Dambo has built more than 130 giant trolls using discarded materials, spanning over 20 countries and 5 continents. You can learn more about each location across the world at trollmap.com or by visiting his website.
The trolls were built thanks to local non-profit Project 412, based in Detroit Lakes. In addition to helping bring the trolls to the Lakes area, they spearhead other art, music, and community-building endeavors in the region.
The Detroit Lakes Troll Hunt: What to Know
Start in Detroit Lakes City Park, where you will find the first troll named Alexa Elixir. She provides a storybook and a map to find all the trolls around the Detroit Lakes area. This information can also be found at project412mn.org/trolls-dl, including the location of each troll.
If you want to plan your hunt ahead, the website also has information on accessibility, trail distance to find each troll, and restrooms.
Each troll will have a symbol on a necklace around it’s neck. This is how you decipher the clues to find the Golden Rabbit (the location of the rabbit is not told, you need to figure it out)!
There is also a series of 3 portals to find, spread throughout the region (including one in Detroit Lakes, Perham, and even Fargo!). It sure to be a fun adventure your kids won’t forget!
While photos are encouraged, make sure to keep each location secret so others can enjoy finding each spot on their own.
Helpful Tips
- The location of each troll is shared at trollsdl.com, including address, trail distance to get to the trolls, restroom locations, and accessibility/trail difficulty information.
- Strollers can access some of the trails, but there are a few that would be very difficult with a stroller or little kids to walk. The easiest trolls to access are Alexa’s Elixir, Ronny Funny Face, and Jacob Everear. Barefoot Frida could be accessed with strollers/little kids, but will be a little more difficult trail to manage (some uphill included). Long Leif and the Golden Rabbit (if you choose to find it!) are very difficult, and stroller access is not recommended. These trails will also be more difficult for little legs to walk.
- Looking for breaks along the way? Alexa Elixir is next to Detroit Lakes City Park and the public beach. There are also many restaurants nearby, so eat here before your journey if you’re hungry. We’d suggest looking next for Ronny Funny Face, Jacob Everear, and Barefoot Frida (there aren’t many amenities around these three). Then find Long Leif next, where there will be another play opportunity and options to buy drinks, snacks, and ice cream!
- The time to drive between all the 5 trolls is about 50 minutes (distance between each ranges from 7 minutes to 20 minutes). Each hike can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 40 minutes. So with drive time, hiking, visiting the trolls, and stopping for breaks/eating, it can definitely be an all day adventure!
- For more things to do in the area, see our article on Detroit Lakes fun with Kids!
You can all the information you need at trollsdl.com. Happy troll hunting!
