There Are Giant Trolls Hiding At The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens In Maine Just Like Something Out Of A Storybook
By Michelle|Updated on March 12, 2024(Originally published March 10, 2022)
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
Maine is a magical place. From the views on the coast to the foggy mornings found throughout the state, there’s something special about being here. You don’t need to do much to find it, but we love going out of our way to experience the attractions that make it extra special. These garden trolls at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor are unexpected and fun, which means making plans to see them in the spring is well worth the effort! Here’s more on the famous Boothbay Botanical Gardens garden trolls:
Sitting right on the coast in Boothbay, the 300 acres making up this phenomenal garden provides one of the most beautiful places to enjoy Maine’s outdoors.
The garden is broken up into different sections showcasing some of the best plant life and flowers in the state. You can stroll through the forest, look out over the ocean, play in a treehouse, create imaginative worlds with your kids in their own garden, and see unique flowers. The whole garden is really a feast for your eyes so make sure you bring your camera.
From spring to summer to fall, there’s tons to explore. From sun-filled gardens with flowers to more forested spaces, it’s easy to get lost here for hours.
We can tell you from experience that this place can take a long time to explore. With so much to see and do you can easily spend the majority of your day inside the gardens.
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There’s always a reason to visit, but now there’s something extra to love! Hiding out throughout the forest you’ll find some fun and friendly additions.
“Guardians of the Seeds” is an outdoor art installation created by Thomas Dambo, a Danish artist. They’re all made from recycled materials, such as pallets and other wood, and are meant to teach visitors about ways they can help create a more sustainable environment.
The hair on the trolls is actually made from downed tree limbs right on the property. These hulking beings fit very naturally in the forest and the garden. You will have to seek them out and it will take a walk to get to each one which adds to the fun. Dambo has created these trolls all over the world and makes a fun story to go along with each one. Here in Maine, you can go through the story by finding all of the trolls and marking off clues on your map. Then it will lead you to a hidden spot deep within the garden, that few people ever see.
Each troll has been made to represent a part of a tree and was assembled by a team of 10 people from Dambo’s team and 150 volunteers from the local Maine area.
Visitors to the Coastal Botanical Gardens will be provided a map when they enter and each troll can be found by following the trail. There are five trolls to see and each is spread along the route.
To see all of them you will need to devote some time which just gives you plenty of time to enjoy the gardens. There is nothing more exciting than turning the corner in the woods to be greeted by these towering sculptures. So seeking them out becomes a fun game that the whole family can participate in.
But if you do have the time, it’s a fun adventure to take with kids who are comfortable with walking the three miles necessary. Be sure to factor in time to stop and say hello to each new troll friend.
Since the trolls are made from recycled material they will eventually fall apart. The harsh winter conditions and environment will inevitably win over so you will want to see these trolls while you get the chance. One builder told us they expect to last only around three years but with proper care and upkeep, they may be able to live much longer. So be careful around these fantastic art installations so everyone can enjoy them for years to come.
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For those who don’t want to walk as far, the first troll can be found in the central gardens which won’t require the same distance.
This is a special way to enjoy the outdoors in Maine, while also learning something about how to make sure the beauty remains for a long time.
The gardens are open seasonally from spring through mid-fall each year. The trolls are an installation that lives even in the off-season and they’re expected to be here for many seasons. Check the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens website for opening day information and book your tickets, which must be reserved in advance. Walking through the forest to see the trolls can be done with a General Admission ticket. Be sure to follow them on the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Facebook page for more information and photos. You may also call (207) 633-8000. Check out this Adventure in the Moment video to see the journey to see every troll including the secret ending once you solve the clues on the map.
A local pro tip: Keep up with what L.L. Bean is doing because they have been known to host free days at the botanical garden making it an easy and accessible way to enjoy these trolls.
These trolls aren’t the only larger-than-life friends you’ll find here! Here’s the story behind the massive Paul Bunyan statue in Maine:
