Entry No. 40 — the Louisville file — filed under: artist-built environment
Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest - Forest Giants & L+A+N+D
Tucked into 16,000 acres of woodland, this living landscape art environment features Thomas Dambo's colossal recycled-wood forest trolls—Mama Loumari, Little Nis, and Little Elina—alongside 'Spirit Nest' and immersive outdoor 'L+A+N+D' installations.
The story
Thirty minutes south of Louisville, 16,000 acres of hardwood and pine hide something vastly stranger than standard state park trails. Danish recycled-art sculptor Thomas Dambo built a family of colossal forest trolls—Mama Loumari, Little Nis, and Little Elina—out of fallen timber, scrap planks, and discarded regional bourbon barrel staves. Looming far above the underbrush, they sit crouched along the tree line like colossal guardians left behind by a folk tale.
The trolls are only one part of the forest's ongoing artistic mutation. Scattered across the grounds are site-specific works like Spirit Nest—a woven branch treehouse structure built for climbing into—alongside the Tin Man sculpture and the L+A+N+D outdoor installation series. Rather than isolating art inside sterile galleries, the forest lets dirt, weather, and seasonal decay slowly alter every piece as the woods grow back around them.
What it's like
Bernheim is open daily from 7:00 a.m. until near sunset. Tracking down the Forest Giants and Spirit Nest means walking dirt trails, so leave delicate footwear in the car. Weekend afternoons draw thick crowds vying for photos inside Mama Loumari's oversized wooden palm; arrive early on a weekday morning if you want to climb inside the woven branch canopy without waiting behind a group of tourists. Be sure to confirm current seasonal hours before driving out to Clermont.
The move: Pack a thermos of coffee and hike the forest loop trail together to climb inside the giant wooden palm of Mama Loumari before stepping inside the woven branch canopy of the Spirit Nest treehouse.
- 📍 Clermont
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY 40110
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History — Drive 13 miles south to Bardstown to trade outdoor wooden trolls for pre-Prohibition whiskey artifacts inside an 1826 building.
- The Little Loomhouse — Head back toward Louisville to explore another forested sanctuary housing historic 1830s cabins and regional textile crafts.
- Waverly Hills Sanatorium — Follow up an afternoon of outdoor trail sculptures with a dive into local medical history at a massive Tudor Gothic ruin.
Good to know
Where is this forest sculpture park located?
It is located at Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd in Clermont, Kentucky, roughly 30 minutes south of Louisville.
What are the hours of operation?
Bernheim is open daily from 7:00 a.m. until near sunset, though exact daily gate hours fluctuate by season so you should confirm before traveling.
What are the Forest Giants made from?
Danish artist Thomas Dambo constructed the giants—Mama Loumari, Little Nis, and Little Elina—using recycled wood, scrap lumber, fallen twigs, and local bourbon barrel staves.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · gotolouisville.com · wlky.com
last checked: 2026-07-21