Trolls are taking over the trails!

Looking for a fun, nature-filled adventure the whole family will love? Trolls: A Field Study at the NC Arboretum brings 12 giant, whimsical troll sculptures to the forest trails of Asheville. Kidding Around contributor Liene took her kids to explore the exhibit and is sharing everything you need to know before you go—where to find the trolls, what to expect, and tips for making the most of your visit.

Meet the Trolls: A Field Study

The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are celebrating the arrival of Trolls: A Field Study, which made its North American debut on November 10, 2025 at the Arboretum. Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, twelve friendly troll sculptures are scattered throughout the Arboretum in a scavenger hunt of epic proportions! 

A Troll Story

The story goes, that “On the night he was born, a little troll named Taks wandered into the human world. What he saw left him puzzled—strange machines, noisy boxes, people rushing around without stopping to talk to the trees. When he returned to the forest, he shared his discoveries with his eleven siblings – and so it started: Trolls: A Field Study!”

What to Expect on Your Visit: Trolls at the NC Arboretum

The sculptures range from seven to nine feet tall, and are crafted from wooden materials like fallen branches, pallets and twigs. They are created to be interactive, and my kids had so much fun crawling into nets for photo ops, taking up-close looks at the materials used, and learning each troll’s name and story!

When to Go & What to Know

Admission to Trolls: A Field Study is included in the standard Arboretum parking fee, and no advance tickets are required. However, be aware that on weekends you may encounter crowds and a longer wait to enter the Arboretum, and should plan accordingly.

The exhibit is at the NC Arboretum from November 15, 2025 through February 17, 2026. As Winter Lights is also currently running at the Arboretum, daily hours have been shortened to 8am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. After the holidays normal business hours will resume: 8am to 7pm starting January 5, 2026.

Even More to Explore at the Arboretum

While you’re at the Arboretum, make sure to check out the children’s exhibit Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact in the Baker Exhibit Hall, which runs through January 4, 2026. Visitors can peek inside the snowpack to find animals that make their homes in the snow, walk through a snowstorm, or even build a snowman!

The outdoor “Playing Woods” area is always a hit with our family; we plan for snack time and a rest there. The NC Arboretum is also a participant in the ecoEXPLORE citizen science program and the Kids in Parks TRACK Trail program, both of which make a visit even more immersive.

For more information on programs and things to do, check out the Kidding Around Greenville article with all the tips: Don’t Skip the NC Arboretum: Coolest Things to Do in the Gardens.

• Location: NC Arboretum, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806
• Admission: Free, but there is a parking fee for non-members ($20 for standard vehicle)
• Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4 p.m.
• Exhibit runs from November 15, 2025 through February 17, 2026
• Website: Trolls: A Field Study – The North Carolina Arboretum