New Jersey Trolls: The Giants Are Hiding. Can You Find Them?

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Who knew giant trolls were hiding in New Jersey’s woods, parks, and little towns?

We found ten whimsical trolls in one afternoon. Here’s the route we followed, where we found them, and what we’d do differently next time.

For a while now, I’d been seeing photos of giant trolls popping up in beautiful, unusual places. My friend Gwen frequently sends me pictures of these whimsical creatures from faraway destinations, and I’ve always thought they looked like something worth traveling to see.

I had no idea New Jersey trolls were hiding just an hour and a half from home!

Once I stumbled across the Burlington County Troll Trek, I knew we had to go.

With 19 trolls scattered throughout Burlington County, we decided to see how many we could find in one afternoon.

How hard could it be? They’re giants, after all.

As it turns out, finding giant trolls can be surprisingly tricky.

Planning Your New Jersey Troll Hunt

The New Jersey trolls are whimsical sculptures made from recycled and natural materials, scattered throughout Burlington County parks, forests, and downtowns. The Troll Trek was inspired by Big Rusty, a giant sculpture created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, with local and regional artists bringing the other trolls to life.

As of our October 2026 visit, 19 trolls are on display throughout Burlington County, New Jersey, about 30–45 minutes from Philadelphia, depending on where you start and which troll you visit.

We found ten in approximately three hours, but that was a pretty ambitious pace! If you want time to explore the parks, browse the little shops, or stop for lunch, allow yourself more time or choose fewer trolls.

A few things to know before you go:

• Where: Burlington County, South Jersey
• How many: 19 on display; we visited 10
• Admission: Free to visit. Parking rules may vary by location, so follow posted signs.
• Visiting hours: Vary by location. Some parks close at dusk, and certain properties have additional access restrictions. Check posted hours before visiting and plan to finish your troll hunt during daylight.
• Time needed: Allow 4–5 hours for a multi-stop adventure, or longer if you want to explore the towns and parks along the way.
• Walking conditions: Vary by location, from short walks on paved paths to woodland trails and uneven ground
• Dogs: Leashed dogs are welcome in many Burlington County parks, but rules vary by location. Dogs are not permitted on the trails at Rancocas Nature Center, where Woody is located. Check individual locations before bringing your pup.
• Restrooms: Don’t count on finding restrooms at every troll stop. Rancocas Nature Center has restrooms during Visitor Center hours, but other locations may have limited or no facilities. Plan a restroom break along your route, especially if you’re visiting several trolls in one afternoon.
• Getting around: You’ll need a car, as the trolls are scattered throughout the county
• Parking: Most of our stops had nearby parking, but we drove to each one. If you’re traveling in an RV or oversized vehicle, check parking restrictions before arriving.
• Our route: Open our Burlington County Troll Trek Google Map

The Troll Trek was originally a temporary art exhibition, but Burlington County has extended it indefinitely. So you can plan a visit beyond the fall season! Just keep in mind that individual trolls may be moved or retired, so check the current map before heading out.

Can You See All the New Jersey Trolls in One Day?

You can visit several New Jersey trolls in one day, but the sculptures are spread throughout Burlington County. We visited ten in approximately three hours, and that was a fast-paced adventure! If you’d like to see more of them, I’d recommend spreading your visit over a full day or two so you have time to enjoy the parks and towns along the way.

Some trolls are just steps from parking areas, while others require a short walk or a bit of searching. We’ll share how we found each one, including places where better directions would have saved us time.

The Adventure Begins: Hunting Trolls in South Jersey

The official Burlington County Troll Trek map is cute. Designed like an old-fashioned treasure map, it certainly captures the spirit of the adventure.

Unfortunately, it’s not particularly helpful for planning an efficient driving route.

The numbered locations on the map correspond to a separate key, so you have to flip back and forth to figure out who’s hiding where. And because the trolls are spread throughout the county, choosing the right route makes a big difference.

Fortunately, Robb is a genius at optimizing a route, so we plugged it into our RV Wizard Route Planner. This helped to organize the stops into a route that made sense for where we were coming from.

We were staying at an RV park just north of Philadelphia, and our friends Gwen and Chas were spending the weekend with us. So we decided to make a proper day of it. After brunch along the way, the four of us set off to see how many trolls we could find.

If you’re traveling to the area by RV, our RV Camping Near Philadelphia, PA guide can help you find a place to stay while exploring the city and nearby South Jersey.

For our longer RV travel days, we use RV LIFE Trip Wizard to plan driving routes and campground stops.

Colorful characters, great company, and a little treasure hunt through New Jersey. What could be better?

Sally at Elbo Park: Our First Giant

Our first stop was Sally at Elbo Park.

From the parking lot, it’s a short 200-yard walk to find her. But don’t expect to spot her immediately. She’s not particularly visible from where you park.

And then, there she is.

Sally sits on the lawn with a hill rising behind her, leaning casually on one hand as though she’s simply enjoying a pleasant afternoon.

The first thing that struck me about these sculptures was that they have personalities.

Sally isn’t just an object sitting in a park. She seems perfectly content to watch the world go by.

The artist’s imagination gives her a character all her own.

After a few photos and a chance to admire Sally, we set out to find our next troll.

Flora in Downtown Medford: Three Times Around the Block

Nineteen minutes later, we arrived in Medford to look for Flora at the Elm Gallery.

You would think finding a giant troll in a small downtown area would be easy.

You would be wrong.

We drove around the same block about three times before deciding we needed a more aggressive search strategy.

Gwen and I jumped out of the cars while the guys found parking. She went up one block, and I headed the other way.

Gwen found her!

Here’s a tip to save you a few trips around the block: Flora is tucked into the walkway between Jennie’s Goodies and The Assurance Group, at 6 and 10 Main Street in downtown Medford. She’s easy to miss from your car, so park and explore on foot.

During our October visit, the alleyway was decorated for Halloween, adding a little extra fun to the discovery.

Unlike Sally’s more relaxed look, Flora was vivid and colorful, with brightly colored eyes, mouth, nose, and ears.

She had a completely different personality.

Once we found Flora, Gwen and Chas wandered off to shop for trinkets while Robb and I went to find a drink.

Medford is a super cute town, with plenty of shops and restaurants. Unfortunately, it was well past coffee time, and the nearby brewery wasn’t quite what we had in mind.

We still had a long list of trolls to find, so we settled for some water and a bench.

Not exactly the leisurely afternoon refreshment we’d imagined, but we were on a mission.

Melinda at Country Village Playground

Another 12-minute drive took us to Country Village Playground in Lumberton, where Melinda waited.

Melinda is one of the easiest trolls to find. She sits just steps from the parking area, behind a bench, happily watching over the children playing nearby.

Her braids looked like they were made from something sturdier than yarn, perhaps plastic twine.

Again, the small artistic details made her special.

After a few pictures, we continued our troll trek through Burlington County.

Big Rusty at Creek Turn Park: The Giant Who Stole the Show

Eight minutes later, we arrived at what would become my favorite stop of the entire day.

Big Rusty.

And when I say big, I mean HUGE.

Big Rusty lives at Creek Turn Park in Hainesport, on the site of the former Creek Turn Ceramic Supply Company.

The approach takes you down a dirt road toward an old industrial building covered in graffiti. If you’ve been following us for a while, you know this is our kind of place.

Abandoned buildings, colorful graffiti, unexpected art, and places with a little history and character are right up our alley.

And then there’s Big Rusty himself.

He’s enormous, but something about him is wonderfully friendly. Despite his imposing size and gritty surroundings, he seems like a happy fellow.

Danish artist Thomas Dambo created Big Rusty in 2023, using reclaimed materials from the former industrial site. Known for his giant troll sculptures around the world, Dambo inspired Burlington County to create its own Troll Trek. Local and regional artists were invited to build more trolls from recycled and natural materials, giving Big Rusty some company throughout the county.

Several groups of visitors came and went while we were there. Clearly, Big Rusty gets plenty of love.

Big Rusty is easy to spot, just steps from the parking area, so you can grab a few photos without much walking. But the former industrial site deserves more than a quick stop.

We spent approximately 45 minutes exploring the building, its rooms, and the surrounding outdoor area.

Although the property looks like an abandoned industrial site, it didn’t feel creepy during our daylight visit. The grounds appeared reasonably well maintained, and there wasn’t much trash.

Some areas have uneven ground and scattered rocks, so I’d recommend wearing sturdy shoes or sneakers if you plan to explore beyond Big Rusty himself. Watch your footing and stay within areas open to visitors.

The combination of graffiti, old structures, and this enormous, cheerful giant made it one of those places where you just keep discovering interesting things to photograph.

If you only have time to visit one troll, I’d recommend Big Rusty.

But don’t rush this stop. You’ll want time to explore and appreciate the surroundings.

And remember, the park closes at dusk.

Woody at Rancocas Nature Center

Just eight minutes from Big Rusty, we found ourselves in a completely different world.

At Rancocas Nature Center, we traded graffiti-covered walls for a beautiful pine forest.

From the parking lot, follow the wooden boardwalk for approximately five minutes. Near the end, look just a few steps off the boardwalk into the trees.

That’s where you’ll find Woody, resting quietly among the pines.

Could there be a more appropriate name?

Woody was my second favorite, partly because of his peaceful setting.

The boardwalk is easy to follow, with flat, level terrain and no hills to climb. However, during our October 2026 visit, it was showing some wear. A few sections felt spongy underfoot, and we noticed some missing boards. Watch your step, particularly if you have mobility or balance concerns.

The forest was beautiful, with additional walking trails that practically begged us to explore.

We would have loved to explore more, and I’d definitely recommend allowing extra time here if you enjoy nature walks.

Bringing your dog? Dogs aren’t permitted on the Rancocas Nature Center trails, so leave your pup behind for this stop.

Bucket Head Bobbie: Hiding Near the Creek

Four minutes later, we arrived to find Bucket Head Bobbie.

True to his name, Bobbie wears a steel bucket for a hat and hides among the overgrown greenery near the creek.

We briefly parked at Stratosphere Brewery, which looked like another potentially good place to take a break.

Once again, we didn’t have time.

If you’re planning your own visit, there’s another parking option on the opposite side of the creek, where you can walk over to find Bobbie. I’d suggest looking into that option unless you’re planning to stop at the brewery for a drink. We didn’t try both parking areas, so I can’t say which is easier.

Bobbie is one of those trolls you need to look carefully for, rather than expecting him to be immediately obvious from the road.

Another troll found. Another brewery missed.

We were beginning to see a pattern.

Retlaw at Mill Race Village in Mount Holly

Barely a minute later, we reached Mill Race Village in Mount Holly.

What a cute little place!

Retlaw was decorated for Halloween, adding another playful touch to an already whimsical adventure.

The village itself looked like somewhere we’d enjoy spending more time, with little shops to browse and plenty of reasons to linger.

Unfortunately, it was getting late, and the shops were already closed.

If you’d like to explore Mill Race Village while visiting Retlaw, plan your stop earlier in the day and check individual business hours before you go.

The trolls may be the reason you make the trip, but the surrounding communities are part of the experience, too.

Weft in Mount Holly: A Mushroom Friend at Moonrise

By the time we reached Weft, eight minutes later, the moon was rising and the sky was beginning to change.

Weft is located near visitor parking at the Rancocas Valley Regional High School Annex in Mount Holly.

He’s an easy troll to spot, and he has an adorable little mushroom friend beside him.

After visiting so many different sculptures, I was still impressed by the imagination behind each one.

No two seemed alike.

An important note: Because Weft is located on school property, plan your visit outside school hours and respect any posted access restrictions.

We took our pictures and kept moving.

We weren’t finished yet.

Tommy the Tetanus Troll at Arney’s Mount Park

Five minutes later, we arrived at Arney’s Mount Park to find Tommy the Tetanus Troll.

By now, we’d already done quite a bit of walking, and I was definitely wearing the wrong shoes for the day. My feet were beginning to feel it!

Fortunately, finding Tommy is pretty straightforward. Park in the designated lot, cross the road, and follow the wide, paved path uphill for approximately three or four minutes. Tommy is located on the left.

The path is well maintained, and the incline isn’t particularly difficult. Had we visited earlier in the day, I probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought.

But with tired legs and the daylight fading, I was moving more slowly than usual.

Tommy was worth the effort.

He’s a wonderfully strange character, with a shovel spade for a tongue, spikes for fingernails, toenails that looked like glass, and beer cans stuck in his hair.

If the other trolls are whimsical forest creatures, Tommy looks like he might have emerged from a particularly imaginative junkyard.

I loved all those unusual details.

One more troll to go.

Kevin at Juliustown Park: Our Final Troll

Our last stop was Kevin at Juliustown Park, another six minutes away.

And Kevin turned out to be the hardest troll of the day to find.

As you travel down Main Street, you’ll see a sign indicating that the road has no outlet.

Keep going.

The park is at the end of the road. Enter on the left and continue toward the far end, past the field, using the designated access areas. You may need to walk a little farther to find Kevin sitting among the trees.

My advice? Visit Kevin during daylight. He’s tucked into the wooded area, and even knowing where to look, he can be difficult to spot.

Of course, by the time we arrived, it was already dark.

That made things considerably more challenging.

But Gwen, our eagle-eyed troll hunter who had already found Flora earlier in the afternoon, spotted him sitting in the forest.

We had to use our car headlights to illuminate Kevin for our photographs. Definitely not the ideal way to photograph a troll!

Would I recommend repeating our after-dark search? Absolutely not. Plan to arrive before sunset and follow any posted park hours.

But as the final stop on our adventure, finding him felt like a victory.

We were all pretty pleased with ourselves. Ten trolls in one afternoon! Not bad for four friends who had started the day exploring Philadelphia.

Now, if you’re thinking about setting off on your own troll hunt, here’s the route we followed and a few things we learned along the way.

What We Learned Hunting
New Jersey Trolls.

We learned a few things during our afternoon of troll hunting that might help you plan your own adventure.

How Much Time Should You Allow?

We visited ten trolls in about three hours, but we were on a mission! Robb mapped an efficient route, and we didn’t linger long at most stops.

If you’d like to visit all ten, explore the walking trails, browse the shops in Medford or Mill Race Village, and enjoy a meal along the way, I’d recommend allowing five or six hours.

Better yet, choose four or five trolls and take a leisurely day.

What to Bring and Know Before You Go

A little preparation will make your troll hunt more enjoyable.

• Wear comfortable shoes. Some locations have paved paths, while others have uneven ground, rocks, or boardwalks in need of repair.
• Pack water and snacks. We hadn’t planned enough time for a proper meal, and we certainly wished we’d brought something to munch on!
• Start early and finish before dark. Some parks close at dusk, and finding trolls tucked into wooded areas gets much harder as daylight fades.
• Plan your breaks. Medford and Mill Race Village are worth exploring, with places to stop for a bite or a beverage. Check business hours before you go.
• Think about restrooms. Facilities aren’t available at every stop, so plan ahead rather than counting on finding one when you need it.

If You Only Have Time for Two

My personal picks are Big Rusty and Woody.

They’re only about eight minutes apart, but they offer completely different experiences.

Big Rusty is enormous and cheerful, surrounded by fascinating industrial artwork and graffiti. Woody rests in a peaceful pine forest, reached by a beautiful boardwalk.

Together, they capture what makes this adventure so special: imagination, nature, and the joy of discovering something unexpected.

And remember, there’s no prize for finding the most trolls in one afternoon. The fun is in discovering them and the places they call home.

Ten Trolls Down, Nine More to Go!

I wondered whether we’d all make it to the last troll, but Gwen wasn’t about to miss the fun. She’s a trooper, and I’m glad we finished the adventure together.

We hugged and kissed goodbye, then headed home in different directions, tired but happy with everything we’d seen.

Of the 19 trolls currently on display throughout Burlington County, we’d found ten. That leaves nine more whimsical characters waiting to be discovered.

If there’s one thing I’d do differently, it’s slow down. We found ten trolls, but we also discovered beautiful forests, charming little villages, and plenty of reasons to return. Next time, I’d leave more time to enjoy the places between the trolls.

Those last nine trolls will have to wait for another day and another road trip from Philadelphia. If you’re looking for another outing nearby, our New Hope and Lambertville day trip is another option.

If you love discovering unusual places and unexpected adventures as much as we do, you’ll find more ideas in our roadside attractions guide. We’re always looking for another reason to hit the road.

And something tells me we haven’t seen the last of those New Jersey giants!

This article reflects our visit on October 25, 2026. Sculpture locations, park access, parking arrangements, and opening hours may change. Check current information and follow posted signs before visiting.

Travel Safe and Adventure Often