How To Survive Your First Troll Hunt At The Morton Arboretum
When I mentioned to a family member that we were headed to the Chicago area, she suggested we go on a Troll Hunt at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.
A Troll Hunt?!
Needless to say, I was intrigued and knew it was something we had to check out! It reminded me of a quote from one of our favorite books:
“We’re going on a bear hunt.
We’re going to catch a big one.
What a beautiful day!
We’re not scared.”
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
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❤️ A special thank you to the Morton Arboretum for hosting our family during our recent visit. ❤️
What is a Troll Hunt?
Morton Arboretum Grounds
The Troll Hunt at the Morton Arboretum takes you on a journey throughout the 1,700 acre property in search for six ‘larger than life’ trolls. They range in size from 15 to 30 foot tall, and there is even one that is 60 feet long!
Rumor has it that these mysterious trolls got tired of all the humans who continue to pollute, destroy their forests, and hurt nature. So they decided to take matters into their own hands and set up camp at the Arboretum. They can’t wait to see how many humans they can capture so they can teach them a lesson!
Furry Emma
The Artist of the Morton Arboretum Trolls
Artist Thomas Dambo – Troll Hunt (Photo Credit – Morton Arboretum)
The trolls were created by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo. Dambo creates beautiful pieces of art out of recycled material, like scrap wood and pallets. Troll Hunt is the third chapter in Dambo’s ongoing troll project entitled, “The Great Story of the Little People and the Giant Trolls.” Some parts of the trolls were created in his studio in Copenhagen, Denmark, over 4,200 miles away.
Who Are the Morton Arboretum Trolls?
Joe the Guardian overlooking I-88 (Photo Credit – Morton Arboretum)
Joe the Guardian stands watch over highway I-88 to make sure no troublemakers try to enter the trolls’ world. But if you are brave enough to enter, be careful where you park! Rocky Bardur doesn’t care for the weird metal horses that humans ride around in!
Rocky Bardur
Be on the lookout for the traps that were set by Furry Ema and Sneaky Socks Alexa. They may be hiding in the bushes just waiting for you to walk by.
Sneaky Socks Alexa
Don’t get too close to Neil Bragger as he might take a swing at you with his giant club.
Neil Bragger
If Little Arturs happens to catch you, it’s down the hatch you go! He loves the taste of humans!
Little Arturs
“If you love the forest, the trolls will protect you,
if not they will grab you, catch you and trap you.”
Thomas Dambo – Troll Hunt
Tips for Your First Troll Hunt
Where Do I Start?
Your first stop should be to the Visitors Center to get the Troll Hunt guide book. It has a complete map of the property and tips to where you will find the trolls. Each troll you find offers you a clue to where you can find their secret hideout. You can write down each clue inside the guide book so you can keep track. Make sure you write it down! You don’t want to miss their hideout!
Troll Hunt Booklet
Just a heads up, while at the Visitors Center, it is also a good idea to take a potty break. There is only one stop during your journey to use the restroom, and it’s a port-a-potty.
How Do I Get Around?
Hike or Drive
Hiking to see the trolls is about 6-7 miles, which would take you roughly 4 to 6 hours. Since we had five children between Charlene and me, and I have a minivan, we were totally driving! A hike was NOT going to happen! All in all, the drive to see the trolls took us about an hour and a half. Most of the trolls can be seen from the road, while others require a short walk.
Bike
If you want, you can bring your own bike to ride, or the Arboretum does offer bike rentals, weather permitting. They are first come, first served but they offer so many different options. You can rent an electric bike, children’s bikes, a Burley Trailer, a Trail-a-bike, and so much more! Helmets are included with your rental. Fees vary depending on if you are a member or nonmember, what item you rent, and for how long.
Tram
The Morton Arboretum also offers open-air Troll Tram Rides. During your tram ride you will get to see all six of the trolls but you will only have the opportunity to walk to four of them. There is a fee and tickets can be purchased at the Information Desk in the Visitors Center. Make sure you check the schedule to see if the tram is running on the day of your visit.
No matter how you choose to get around, just remember that the road around the Arboretum is one way, so make sure you’re going the right direction.
Our Experience
If you are looking for an activity to do with the kids that is something you’ve never done before, then you have to check out the Troll Hunt at Morton Arboretum. It was like nothing we had ever seen before. Everyone had such an amazing time searching for trolls and writing down the clues to the secret hideout. The shear size of the trolls was incredible and we loved that they were all built using recycled materials. What better way to spend time together than outside in nature, hunting down trolls!
Check out our list of Inspiring Kids Books About People Who Love Nature.
Know Before You Go
- Website: https://www.mortonarb.org/
- Address: 4100 Illinois Rt. 53, in Lisle, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.
- Hours: 7am to sunset, year round
- Admission: Adults ($15), 65 and older ($13), and children 2-17 ($7). They also offer FREE admission to active duty servicemen and women with ID.
- Parking: Free parking included with admission.
- Time of our visit: We arrived about 11 am on a BEAUTIFUL Saturday morning in Fall. It wasn’t too busy upon our arrival, but by the time we left, the cars were lined up on the road waiting to enter. Since almost everything to see at the Arboretum is outside, just know that if you are planning to visit when the weather is nice, it may be busy.
- Trolls will be on view through June 2020.
Check out our other adventures during our visit to Illinois:
- The Ultimate Guide to Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL)
- Pangolins, and Zoos, and Surprises…Oh My! (Brookfield Zoo)
38 Comments
Jayne
A Troll Hunt looks so cool! My kids would love this!
Charlene
I hope you can go on your own Troll Hunt sometime! Both of our families had a fabulous time searching the property for trolls and admiring all of the gorgeous trees surrounding us.
Jennifer |Me and My Traveling Hat
Cool place to visit! It amazes me how artists can take something ordinary and make something extraordinary!
Charlene
It’s amazing for sure… to think someone can look at a pile of wood and dream up incredible, giant trolls. Such a neat artist.
Karen
This place looks amazing! We would love to go hunting for trolls and what a great message they are sharing.
Trisha
It was so much fun! We could have easily stayed there the entire day!
Tricia Snow
These trolls are so cute! What a great idea!
Charlene
We were quite impressed with the imagination of the artist, Thomas Dambo. Very cool creations!
Lisa Manderino
I’m putting this on our itinerary for this summer! Looks like a lot of fun!
Charlene
Hope you have a great time! Let us know how it goes, we’d love to hear!
Leeanne
This is an awesome place. I confess I looked up the location on google maps to see how far outside of Chicago it is. It said 34 minutes. The next time we are in Chicago we are going to visit this place. I’m sure my girls will love it.
Charlene
Sounds like a fabulous plan! It’s not too far at all from Chicago and makes for a wonderful way to connect with nature and family!
Taci- Life Beyond Zebra
This just gave me a fabulous reason to go visit my brother in law in Chicago! I must see these trolls. Preferably not in the snow.
Charlene
Hope you get to visit your brother soon. I’m not a fan of snow either, so I totally get it! I’m familiar with those Windy City winters too…yikes! The trolls would probably look really pretty under a fresh blanket of snow though.
Courtney
What a fun day! I have never heard of this!
Charlene
It was indeed! The Morton Arboretum has a variety of fun activities throughout the year.
Cynthia
This looks like such a great family friendly adventure. I’m going to need to remember this one for next time we are in the area. Do you get the guide book with the admission ticket or do you pay for that separately?
Charlene
The Troll Hunter’s Handbook can be found at the Visitor Center and there was no additional charge for it. The booklet has lots inside, like a map and a place to write down the clues you find to help you locate the Trolls’ hideout. SO much fun! Hope you get to visit soon!
Hera
What a unique adventure! Lived in Chi a few years a few years Ave. ever heard of this. It may have started after we left. I wonder what they’ll do with the trolls after 2020?
Trisha
Yes, it is a newer installation. We were just wondering the same thing. I hope they keep them! It would be sad to see them go!
Julie
I want to do this next time we visit Chicago!! I’m thinking partially hike, partially drive.
Trisha
Absolutely! There are some Trolls that are within walking distance from the visitor’s center. Hope you get a chance to go hunting!
kmf
I am so doing this troll hunt next year…such a cool experience!
Trisha
You will absolutely love it! Make sure to allow yourself enough time. It would be very easy to spend the whole day there! 🙂
Lindsay
I love this so much! Wanting to plan a trip to the Chicago area to do this thanks to your blog! Thank you for sharing!
Trisha
If you are headed to Chicago, you don’t want to miss this! Hope you have a great time!
Heather
I have driven by this going to and from the airport when I visit my cousin in Illinois. It looks really neat.
Charlene
It is definitely a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Missy
This would be so much fun!! I think I would either hike or bike the hunt.
Charlene
I think biking the Troll Hunt would be pretty awesome!
Amanda
The next time I’m in IL visiting family, we will be going on a troll hunt at the Morton Arboretum! My girls would love this it looks so cool.
Charlene
I hope you get to visit your family soon and enjoy the Troll Hunt together. Please let us know how it goes!
Hollee R Archibald
This looks so fun! Pinning this for later!!!
Charlene
Thanks and hope your travels bring you that way soon!
Shirley
Wow, what a great experience. Now I want to go on a troll hunt! Your pics are so fun!
Charlene
Aw, thank you. Our families had so much fun searching for the trolls!
Kelly MyNewDanishLife
We really enjoyed visiting these guys this summer too. We love to do anything Danish when in the States! 🙂 There is still one troll for us to find in Denmark. We have found the other 10 here! Some are harder to find than others! 🙂
Trisha
You are so lucky to have seen them in Denmark! They are such amazing pieces of art and they look so realistic! When we get to Denamrk, you’ll have to give us some troll hunitng tips on finding them.