Tucked away in Dayton, Ohio, Aullwood Audubon Farm is one of those magical places most people drive right past without a second glance. But hidden along its winding trails are giant wooden trolls so massive and lifelike, they seem to have stepped straight out of a storybook.
Created by world-famous artist Thomas Dambo, these sculptures are sparking wonder in kids and adults alike. Whether you love hiking, farm animals, or fairytale adventures, this overlooked Ohio gem has something truly unforgettable waiting for you.
Meet the Troll Family: Bibbi, Bodil, and Bo
Somewhere between the oak trees and wildflower patches of Aullwood Audubon Farm, three giant wooden trolls named Bibbi, Bodil, and Bo are waiting to be discovered. Created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, this family of trolls is crafted entirely from reclaimed wood, making each one a towering, textured masterpiece that blends naturally into the forest.
Bodil is the easiest to reach and sits closest to the farm entrance, making her a great first stop. Bo and Bibbi require a slightly longer hike, but the trails are scenic and well worth the extra steps.
Spotting all three feels like completing a treasure hunt.
Visitors consistently describe the experience as feeling like stepping into a fairytale. Families with kids especially love how the trolls spark imagination.
Plan to spend at least two hours if you want to find all three without rushing.
Who Is Thomas Dambo, the Artist Behind the Magic?
Not many artists can say their work towers over visitors at 15 feet tall, but Thomas Dambo is not your average artist. This Danish sculptor has placed giant troll installations across more than 40 countries, turning overlooked green spaces into destinations people travel hours to visit.
His philosophy is simple: art belongs in nature, not just galleries.
Dambo builds every troll from recycled and reclaimed materials, giving old wood a brand-new story to tell. Each troll also comes with a hidden poem or backstory, adding a layer of mystery that rewards curious visitors who look closely.
At Aullwood, his trolls fit so naturally among the trees that they almost seem to have always been there.
Learning about Dambo before your visit makes the experience even richer. His Instagram and website share behind-the-scenes building videos that kids and adults absolutely love watching together.
The Trails That Lead You There
Getting to the trolls is half the adventure at Aullwood Audubon Farm. The property spans around 200 acres, and the trail system winds through forests, wetlands, and open meadows that feel miles away from the city.
Depending on how many trolls you want to visit, you could walk anywhere from one mile to nearly three miles round trip.
The path to Bodil is the most accessible and works reasonably well for those using a stroller, though bumpy sections exist. The trails to Bibbi and Bo are more rugged, so sturdy shoes are a must.
Flip flops will make you regret the decision pretty quickly out there.
Small wooden signs mark the way along the paths, though they can be easy to miss. Picking up a map at the farm entrance before heading out is strongly recommended.
The walk itself is peaceful, shaded, and genuinely beautiful regardless of troll-hunting goals.
The Baby Troll With Wings at the Nature Center
Hidden near the Aullwood Nature Center is one of the most charming surprises the whole property has to offer: a baby troll with wings. Smaller than the main three but no less magical, this little figure captures the imagination of younger visitors who spot it tucked among the trees and garden paths near the education building.
The Nature Center itself is worth exploring before or after your troll hunt. Inside, you will find interactive learning rooms dedicated to local wildlife, bird watching, and woodland creatures.
The staff is known for being friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about sharing the natural world with visitors of all ages.
There is also a troll nest nearby, which kids go absolutely wild for. Climbing into the nest and pretending to be a baby troll is basically a rite of passage at this point.
Arrive early on weekends to avoid the biggest crowds around these spots.
Farm Animals That Steal the Show
Long before the trolls arrived, Aullwood Audubon Farm was already beloved for its incredible collection of farm animals. Sheep, goats, horses, cattle, chickens, and ducks all call this property home, and they are not shy about saying hello.
Kids who visit for the trolls often end up spending just as much time at the animal enclosures as they do on the trails.
The farm has a hands-on, educational feel that makes it perfect for school field trips and family outings alike. One popular activity is the hamburger game, which teaches young visitors about where food actually comes from in a fun and memorable way.
Teachers and parents consistently rave about how engaging and age-appropriate the programming is.
After a long hike through troll territory, stopping by the farm feels like a natural reward. The animals are calm, approachable, and clearly well cared for by the dedicated Aullwood staff year-round.
The Marsh Pond Full of Turtles
Along the trail system at Aullwood, visitors stumble upon a marsh pond that feels like its own little world. Turtles sun themselves on floating logs while dragonflies zip across the surface of the water.
It is the kind of peaceful, slow-down moment that makes outdoor visits feel genuinely restorative rather than just another item on a weekend checklist.
The pond is a favorite photo stop, especially for families who enjoy wildlife spotting. Depending on the season, you might also see frogs, herons, or a wide variety of waterfowl making use of the wetland habitat.
Aullwood is an Audubon-certified property, so wildlife preservation is woven into everything they do here.
Bird watchers in particular find the pond and surrounding wetlands to be a goldmine. Bring binoculars if you have them, because the variety of species passing through throughout the year is genuinely impressive and worth slowing down to appreciate.
Fairy Houses Hidden Along the Accessible Path
If the giant trolls are the main event, the fairy houses are the delightful opening act. Scattered along one of the more accessible paths at Aullwood, these tiny handcrafted structures are made from sticks, bark, moss, and other natural materials.
Each one is unique, and finding them all requires a slow, attentive walk that kids naturally love.
The fairy house path is one of the most universally accessible trails on the property, making it a great option for visitors with younger children or mobility considerations. Even the smallest toddlers can participate in the hunt without needing to tackle rougher terrain.
It turns a simple walk into a full-blown adventure.
Many families make the fairy houses their first stop and the trolls their grand finale. The progression from tiny to absolutely enormous creates a sense of scale and wonder that sticks with kids long after the drive home.
Do not rush through this part.
Picnic Spots That Make the Day Complete
One of the smartest things you can do at Aullwood Audubon Farm is pack a lunch. The property has several natural spots perfect for spreading out a blanket and enjoying a meal surrounded by trees, birdsong, and fresh air.
The porch of the Nature Center is a particularly popular stop, offering shade and a lovely view of the surrounding landscape.
Families who plan a full troll-hunting day often break it up with a midpoint picnic, which helps younger kids recharge before tackling the second half of the trail. Some visitors treat it as a slow, leisurely outing rather than a race to see everything, which honestly sounds like the right approach.
There is something genuinely special about eating lunch in the middle of a forest after discovering a 15-foot wooden troll. It makes even a simple sandwich taste like part of an epic fairytale.
Bring extra snacks just in case.
The Gift Shop and Ice Cream Stop
After miles of trail walking and troll spotting, the gift shop at Aullwood Audubon Farm is a very welcome sight. Stocked with nature-themed souvenirs, handmade crafts, educational toys, and locally inspired items, it is the kind of small shop where you actually want to browse rather than just pass through.
Kids gravitate toward the troll-themed keepsakes immediately.
Ice cream has also been mentioned in glowing reviews as a post-adventure treat available at the farm. Few things hit quite as well as a cold scoop after a warm afternoon of hiking through Ohio woodland.
It rounds out the experience in the most satisfying way possible.
The staff inside the building are consistently praised for being helpful and enthusiastic. They can answer questions about the trolls, point you toward trails you might have missed, and share insider tips that make your next visit even better than the first one.
Admission Pricing and Membership Options
Visiting Aullwood Audubon Farm is refreshingly affordable compared to most family attractions. Adult admission runs around $12, while children ages 4 to 12 are typically $8, and kids under 4 get in free.
Military families have also received complimentary admission during certain periods, which is a genuinely appreciated gesture from the organization.
For families who plan to visit more than once, a membership is an outstanding deal. Annual memberships start at around $80, which is dramatically less than the cost of a typical zoo membership in the region.
With 200 acres to explore and seasonal changes that transform the trails, multiple visits per year make complete sense.
Membership benefits extend beyond just free admission and include access to special farm classes and educational programs for young children. Aullwood is clearly invested in building long-term community connections rather than just collecting one-time ticket sales from curious visitors passing through.
Best Times to Visit and What to Wear
Aullwood Audubon Farm is open Thursday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 4 PM, Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM. The farm is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so planning ahead prevents a wasted trip.
Arriving early on weekends is smart, especially during warmer months when the trolls draw larger crowds.
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are absolutely essential. The trails range from smooth and accessible to genuinely rugged, and more than one visitor has regretted wearing sandals.
Layers work well since the tree canopy keeps things shady and cool even on warm days.
Spring and fall are arguably the best seasons to visit. Wildflowers frame the trails in spring, while autumn turns the forest into a breathtaking canvas of red and gold that makes the trolls look even more dramatic.
Summer works too, but bug spray becomes your best friend on humid Ohio afternoons.
Educational Programs and Farm Classes for Kids
Aullwood Audubon Farm is far more than a pretty place to walk around. The organization runs a robust lineup of educational programs designed specifically for young learners, covering topics from farm life and plant science to bird watching and woodland ecology.
These programs are hands-on, age-appropriate, and led by staff who genuinely love what they do.
School field trips are a regular occurrence here, and teachers consistently report that students leave more engaged and curious than when they arrived. The hamburger game, which traces the journey of a burger from farm to table, is a standout activity that makes a real impression on kindergarten and elementary-aged kids.
Families can also sign up for farm classes independently, giving children a chance to connect with nature outside of a school setting. For parents looking for enriching weekend activities that do not involve screens, Aullwood delivers an experience that feels genuinely meaningful and memorable every single time.
Why This Overlooked Ohio Gem Deserves More Attention
With a 4.7-star rating across more than 150 reviews, Aullwood Audubon Farm has clearly earned the loyalty of everyone who discovers it. Yet somehow, it remains under the radar for many Ohio families who have never heard of it.
That feels like a genuine missed opportunity, especially for anyone within a two-hour drive of Dayton.
The combination of world-class troll art, working farm animals, wildlife-rich wetlands, fairy houses, educational programs, and peaceful hiking trails is almost impossibly good for a single admission price. Few places manage to deliver that much variety without feeling scattered or overwhelming.
Aullwood pulls it off effortlessly.
Visitors who make the trip once almost always talk about coming back. The seasonal changes mean the property looks and feels different depending on when you visit, giving regulars something new to discover every single time.
Located at 9101 Frederick Pike, Dayton, OH, it is well worth adding to your must-visit list.
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