Thomas Dambo Trolls in Clinton, Iowa: Meet Marvin, Warren, Helmut, and the Mystery Troll

Helmut is one of our favorites! What will happen when the tree outgrows its pot?!

Helmut is busy replanting trees near the Sawmill Museum to replace those lost to human intervention!

Warren can be found reclining near the old train depot by Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream! Perhaps he’s stuffed?

Marvin has settled in for a long winter’s (summer’s?) nap amongst the trees at Clinton’s Bickelhaupt Arboretum.

We met some of Iowa’s newest residents the other day whilst “wandering more” in Visit Clinton, Iowa…the Dambo trolls Marvin, Warren, and Helmut! And a fourth “mystery” troll that we can help you discover if you read on 👀🌳

These fine fellas, dubbed as the “Tree Thieves,” were introduced to Iowa only a few weeks ago. For those who aren’t already familiar, Thomas Dambo is a world-renowned artist who has created several giant troll sculptures around the world. He’s on a self-proclaimed mission to save the world from drowning in trash by using recycled wood to construct trolls and encourage folks to go out and explore natural areas (like the Mississippi River town of Clinton)!

Eliese and I have since discovered several of Dambo’s trolls in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, during the Wandermore in Minnesota project; in Boothbay, Maine, during our honeymoon this past September; and even in our own backyard in Omaha, Nebraska, for a limited-time exhibit! Having seen over twenty of them now—all of which have been AMAZING and have taken us to some out-of-the-way places—has been eye-opening to just how big Dambo’s project is. We were talking to a volunteer in Clinton the other day, and it sounds like several thousand troll hunters have already made their way to Clinton to see these three for themselves.

If you pay attention to the symbols on these trolls (look around their necks), you can unlock the location of a fourth secret troll somewhere near Clinton. You simply enter the chapters at trollmap.com, and it’ll give you a general idea of where to search. It took some effort, but after about an hour of searching, we found the hidden fourth! It’s not pictured here to avoid spoiling the surprise, but we highly recommend taking the time to do the scavenger hunt. We promise you it’s unlike any other Dambo troll you’ve ever seen.

The other three troll locations are public knowledge: Bickelhaupt Arboretum, The Sawmill Museum, and the old train depot by Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream. Take some time to explore the shops in downtown Clinton and its unique eateries, like 7 Hills South, a restaurant/brewery housed in an old church.

If you’re on the fence about visiting them, trust us that you won’t regret making the trip. There’s no other nationwide scavenger hunt out there quite like the Dambo trolls. Happy troll hunting! 🧌

Learn more about Clinton, Iowa, by picking up a visitor’s guide here. Travel Iowa’s full state guide is available here.

Enjoy learning about Iowa's communities? Follow Wandermore in Iowa on Facebook for more small-town stories, local history, hidden gems, and travel inspiration from across the Hawkeye State. We're on a mission to explore and document all 939 incorporated communities in Iowa—one town at a time. Join thousands of fellow travelers and history enthusiasts as we wander more through Iowa together!

If you'd like to dive even deeper into Iowa's towns and history, be sure to check out Wandermore in Iowa, our pictorial and historical travel guide featuring all 939 municipalities in the state. Whether you're planning your next road trip or simply enjoy discovering Iowa's hidden stories, it's the perfect companion for your journey.