Something big has come to Charlotte and it’s a troll. He’s resting on his side, looking over the growing River District as it develops.
His name is Big Pete, or Big Pete with the Big Feet, and he’s one of the seven brand new trolls by Thomas Dambo in North Carolina.
Read on to learn about Big Pete and how to find him! Or just jump to the directions.
But first, those feet. They are very big, more than 7 feet tall (or long) each! Each toe has an inset cut out, giving the appearance of toenails, especially when the shadows fall the right way. On the underside of the foot there’s even an arch.
About the Big Pete Troll
Danish artist Thomas Dambo creates giant trolls out of recycled woods, including pallets, barrels, fallen branches, scrap wood and twigs. They can be found all over the world.
Big Pete is 65 feet long, making him one of the largest of Dambo’s trolls.
One of the remarkable things about visiting Big Pete in person is the wonderful smell of many kinds of wood all at once. Everyone visiting on Big Pete’s first day (November 8, 2025) was remarking on the aroma.
Each feature of Big Pete is delightful to encounter in person, up close, from the hair made of twigs and leaves to the ear hiding under his right hand.
Every one of Dambo’s trolls has its own story.
Big Pete’s story is about his big feet and how they crushed the flowers when he walked. Should he keep walking, or just rest? For now he’s resting.
Where to find Big Pete
Big Pete is in the River District, in the southwest of Charlotte. The River District is under construction, so be careful.
To find Big Pete, you can take exit 6 (West Blvd) off of I-485. Go west (right if you’re on the outer loop, left if you’re on the inner loop.) When you cross Dixie River Road into the River District, West Blvd becomes River District Drive. Park on the street near the intersection of River District Drive and Crescent River Road.
The intersection of River District Drive and Crescent River Road is a good thing to put into your GPS. If your navigation is not finding those streets yet, since the roads are new, try Dixie River Road and West Blvd.
From there you can see Big Pete on top of a hill. There’s a path for part of the way, but then you will need to walk up a hill. At the time of this post (November 8, 2025) the hill was somewhat muddy and slippery, so plan your footwear accordingly.
The walk up the hill is not wheelchair accessible.
You can visit any time from dawn to dusk. There’s no cost to visit.
Other Dambo Trolls in North Carolina
Want to go on a troll scavenger hunt throughout North Carolina? There are six other full-size trolls, as well as a temporary exhibit of twelve smaller ones.
Raleigh
There are five Dambo Trolls in Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. Learn about each of these trolls and how to find them at dorotheadixpark.org/trolls. They are free to visit.
High Point
Little Sally arrived in High Point, North Carolina, the same day that her bigger brother, Big Pete, arrived in Charlotte. This map might help you find Little Sally.
Asheville
From November 15, 2025, to February 17, 2026, Thomas Dambo’s Trolls — A Field Study will be at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. This exhibit will feature twelve “miniature” trolls — each one seven to nine feet tall.
Use trollmap.com to find any of Dambo’s trolls in the world.
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