Twelve towering troll sculptures made from fallen branches, scrap wood and pallets arrive at two Pierce County wildlife parks starting Thursday, Oct. 15.
Trolls: A Field Study, an outdoor art exhibition by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, opens that day at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville. The show runs through Sunday, Jan. 24, 2027.
Four trolls named Boge, Larke, Poppy and Birch will be stationed among the gardens and animal habitats at Point Defiance Zoo. Eight more will be scattered through the forests at Northwest Trek, according to Parks Tacoma. It is the first traveling exhibition in Northwest Trek's 50-year history, according to deputy director Rick Dietz, as first reported by KOMO News.
The sculptures stand 7 to 9 feet tall, each built from reclaimed materials. Guests can hug them and take photos but are asked not to climb on them.
Dambo has created approximately 200 troll sculptures across 20 countries. His 2018 Troll Hunt at the Morton Arboretum in Illinois drew more than 1.24 million visitors in its first year.
"There're a lot of artists that make cool sculptures. So, why is it that they like mine? I think it's just because it's basic human needs: go outside and enjoy nature," Dambo told KOMO News.
Alan Varsik, director of both parks, said the two locations offer different settings for the trolls. At Northwest Trek, one sculpture named Valle lives in the park's 435-acre Free-Roaming Area alongside bison, mountain goats, moose and elk. Visitors can spot Valle from the Discovery Tram Tour, included with admission, or on the added-cost Keeper Adventure Tour.
Halloween, dogs and Zoolights
The trolls will overlap with several seasonal events at both parks.
At Point Defiance Zoo, the sculptures will be visible during Zoo Boo on Oct. 17–18. At Northwest Trek, five trolls join the evening Hoot 'n' Howl Halloween event on Oct. 16–17, 23–24 and 30, from 5–9 p.m.
Dog owners get dedicated troll-hunting days. Point Defiance Zoo hosts Dog Days on Oct. 23, Nov. 20 and Dec. 4. Northwest Trek's Dog Days run on multiple dates in October, November and December.
During Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo, running Friday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, three of the four trolls will be visible at night. The fourth, Larke, requires a daytime visit.
Veterans and active-duty military members can visit both parks free during Veterans' Appreciation Days, Nov. 11–15. Immediate family members get half-off general admission when accompanied by a qualifying service member.
What it costs
The trolls are included with general admission or membership at each park. Both parks are open Thursday through Monday. Parking is free.
Visitors who pay full-price daytime admission at one park can pick up a $10 discount coupon at the front gate for the other park. The coupon cannot be redeemed online and does not apply to special events like Zoolights or Hoot 'n' Howl.
Tickets, hours and event details are available at trolltrek.org.
