If you’re hunting for Alexa - Troll of Detroit Lakes photos, you’ve probably seen the grainy selfies or the drone shots that make these things look like tiny garden ornaments. They aren't. Not even close. When you finally stand under Alexa’s massive wooden chin in Detroit Lakes City Park, you realize the scale is actually kind of overwhelming.
She’s sitting there with a spoon the size of a kayak, stirring a pot that looks like it could hold enough soup for the whole town. Honestly, it’s one of those things where a photo doesn't quite do the justice—it's more about the texture of the old shipping pallets and the way the Minnesota sun hits the recycled wood.
Why Everyone Starts at Alexa’s Elixir
Most people think Alexa is just one random statue. That’s the first mistake. She’s actually the "protagonist" of a massive scavenger hunt designed by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. If you just snap a photo of her and leave, you’re basically skipping the best part of the whole experience.
Alexa holds a giant book. It’s not just for show. That book contains the map and the cipher you need to find her friends—Ronny Funny Face, Barefoot Frida, Jacob Everear, and the 36-foot-tall Long Leif.
"I go to great lengths to hide them because I want to show us all that trash is a treasure," Dambo told reporters when the project launched.
It’s true. The guy used more than 300 volunteers and a mountain of scrap wood to build these. Alexa herself is named after Dambo’s wife, Alexa Piekarski, who apparently makes him "elixirs" (think apple cider vinegar and garlic) when he's feeling under the weather.
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Quick Facts for Your Visit
- Location: Detroit Lakes City Park (1355 Washington Ave).
- Difficulty: Super easy. You can see her from the parking lot.
- Accessibility: It’s on grass but very close to paved paths.
- The Quest: You have to find the necklace on each troll to get a secret code.
Finding the Best Angles for Alexa - Troll of Detroit Lakes Photos
If you want the "money shot" that actually looks good on social media, don't just stand right in front of her. The perspective gets weird. Because she’s sitting down, she can look a bit "squashed" if you shoot from eye level.
- The Low Angle: Get your phone or camera almost on the grass. Looking up at her makes her look like the literal giant she is.
- The "Spoon" Shot: Focus on the spoon. It’s such a weird, specific detail that it creates a great foreground element.
- The Book Detail: Don't forget to take a clear, high-res photo of the storybook pages. You’ll need it later when you’re deep in the woods at Dunton Locks or Detroit Mountain trying to figure out where the heck the Golden Rabbit is hiding.
Basically, Alexa is the "easy" one. She’s the gateway drug to the more hidden trolls.
The Secret of the Golden Rabbit
This is where people get frustrated. You cannot find the Golden Rabbit on Google Maps. Trust me, I’ve checked. The rabbit is the "villain" of the story, and he’s hidden in a spot that only reveals itself once you’ve visited the other trolls and translated the symbols on their necklaces.
Each troll has a necklace with a number and a symbol. You match those symbols to the alphabet in Alexa’s book. If you’re lazy and just want to see the art, you can use the TrollMap online, but it won't give you the Rabbit's coordinates. That one stays a secret for the people who actually do the legwork.
The Other Trolls You’ll Need to Photograph
You can't talk about Alexa without mentioning the rest of the gang. They’re scattered all over the region, and some are a bit of a hike.
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Long Leif
He’s the record-breaker. Standing at about 36 feet (13 meters), he’s the tallest troll Dambo has ever built. You’ll find him at Detroit Mountain. The hike isn't crazy—maybe a third of a mile—but it’s hilly. If it rained recently, the trail gets a bit slick.
Ronny Funny Face
Located at Dunton Locks County Park. He’s the most "interactive" one because he’s literally peeking from behind a tree. It’s a great spot for kids because the trail is fully paved.
Barefoot Frida
She’s a bit more of a trek. She’s tucked away near the corner of Randolph Road and Highway 54. There was some construction in the area recently, so you might have to park on the side of the road. She’s worth it, though—she’s got this very "outdoorsy" vibe.
Jacob Everear
This guy is in Frazee, which is about a 15-minute drive from Detroit Lakes. He’s the only one you’re technically allowed to climb on (just stay off his head and feet). He has massive ears because he’s "listening" to the forest.
Getting the Most Out of Your Troll Hunt
If you’re planning to do the whole circuit, give yourself at least four or five hours. The driving alone between Detroit Lakes, Frazee, and the various parks takes time. Plus, if you’re a photographer, you’ll want to wait for the light to hit the wood just right.
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The project was sponsored by Project 412, a local non-profit. The name comes from the fact that there are 412 lakes within 25 miles of the city. It’s pretty wild when you think about it. The whole point was to get people out of their cars and into the woods.
Wait, what about the portals?
Yeah, there are also three "magic portals" scattered around. One is in Fargo, one in Perham, and one in Detroit Lakes. They represent Alexa’s arms reaching out across the region. If you’re a completionist, you’ve got a long day ahead of you.
Practical Logistics for Travelers
- Restrooms: Hit the ones at City Park or the Detroit Mountain lodge. Once you’re on the trails for Frida or the Rabbit, you’re on your own.
- Footwear: Wear actual shoes. Not flip-flops. Some of these trails are "natural," which is a nice way of saying they have roots and mud.
- Timing: Early morning is best for photos. By 2:00 PM on a Saturday, Alexa is usually surrounded by kids climbing on her lap, which makes it hard to get a "clean" shot.
- The Map: Seriously, take a photo of the map in Alexa’s book. Your cell service might get spotty in the deeper parts of the woods, and you don't want to be stuck without the cipher.
The whole installation is meant to be permanent, or at least last for several years. Since it’s all recycled wood, the trolls will eventually weather and turn a silvery-gray color, which honestly might make them look even cooler.
To make your trip easier, start at the City Park, grab your photos of Alexa's book, and then head to Dunton Locks for Ronny. It’s a natural flow that keeps you moving toward the more "difficult" trolls as the day goes on. By the time you find the Golden Rabbit, you’ll have a phone full of photos and probably a few mosquito bites, but the payoff of seeing that weird yellow plastic bunny in the middle of the woods is actually pretty great.
Pack some water, keep your phone charged, and don't forget to look for the clusters of purple birdhouses—they’re the secret trail markers that guide you when the GPS starts to fail.