3 Trolls. 1 McKean County. Endless Epic Stories.
Something very big is coming to the forests of northwestern Pennsylvania. Trolls in the Forest will bring three giant sculptures by internationally known artist Thomas Dambo to McKean County in September 2027. The hand-built trolls will make their homes in Bradford, Kane, and a third location somewhere in between. Finding them will become part of the adventure, leading travelers through Pennsylvania’s Trail Central and into the Allegheny National Forest region.
The trolls are expected to stand as high as 40 feet, so they won’t exactly blend into the trees. Still, Dambo’s creations are about much more than their size. Each sculpture combines art, nature, storytelling, and sustainability while giving people a reason to explore.
Meet the Artist Behind Trolls in the Forest
Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo creates enormous sculptures from recycled and reclaimed materials. More than 170 of his trolls can now be found across 20 countries and 21 states. McKean County’s three trolls will become his first permanent installation in Pennsylvania.
Dambo doesn’t simply build a sculpture and place it beside the road. His trolls are designed to be discovered. Their locations encourage people to follow trails, explore green spaces, and spend time in surrounding communities.
Why Three Giant Trolls Belong Here
Trolls have long appeared in folklore as creatures connected to forests and the natural world. Dambo carries that idea into his artwork, creating characters that serve as guardians of nature.
McKean County offers a fitting backdrop for those stories. The area has a rich lumber heritage, strong ties to the outdoors and access to the Allegheny National Forest. Trail Central already encourages travelers to hike, bike, paddle and explore the region.
A search for the trolls could begin in Bradford, continue through the forest and end in Kane. Along the way, travelers may find trails, local restaurants, shops and communities they hadn’t planned to visit.
That is part of the fun. The trolls provide the destination, but the journey between them creates its own stories.
McKean County Will Help Build the Trolls
The community will have a role in Trolls in the Forest before travelers ever begin searching for them. Residents will help construct the sculptures using recycled and reclaimed materials. Community participation is an important part of Dambo’s projects and gives people a personal connection to the finished artwork.
“This isn’t just about public art,” said Dambo. “It’s about inviting people to step into the story, to leave behind the digital world for a few hours and make something real with twigs, twine, and teamwork.”
For McKean County residents, these won’t simply be three famous sculptures arriving from somewhere else. Local hands will help create them, making the community part of their story from the beginning. And when the trolls are finally ready to be discovered, those stories will continue with everyone who comes looking for them.
Learn More About Trolls in the Forest
The arrival of Trolls in the Forest is still more than a year away, but the story is already taking shape in McKean County.
Trail Central | Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau is inviting residents, businesses, and future troll hunters to follow the project as plans move forward. Those who want to be part of it can also donate or sign up to volunteer.
To learn more about Trolls in the Forest, volunteer or support the project, visit PATrollCentral.com.
