If you need a little more fun and whimsy in your life, you’ll find it in Oakland, about an hour northwest of Omaha. The cozy little city of just more than 1,200 people is charming all around, but it’s this path in Oakland City Park that will steal your heart. The No Toll Troll Stroll was established in 1987, and for quite some time was a popular tourist attraction. Today it’s a bit worse for wear, but still offers a unique nature walk with a little something extra.

The trail is a bit removed from the rest of the park. Elsewhere, you’ll find lots of grassy open spaces. But the No Toll Troll Stroll is a slightly darker, wilder, wooded path that you can’t help but be drawn toward.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

You know you’re in for an unusual adventure when you see the brightly painted sign at the trailhead. The 3/4-mile wood chip path is fun and easy, even for little legs.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

There were reportedly once more than two dozen trolls along the way, but today many have been vandalized by people or degraded by time and nature.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

Still, the mostly-charming, slightly-creepy little monsters are a pleasant sight along the way.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

Finding one feels a little like discovering hidden treasure. You’ll have to look pretty hard to find some of them, but it’s worth the effort.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

How many can you find on your own stroll? The trolls like to hang out near trees and in vegetation, so don’t be afraid to hunt for them.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

Throughout the trail you’ll find several enchanting little wooden bridges. They all look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale - and true to the path’s name, there’s no troll underneath demanding a toll.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

Other friends in the park include this happy frog and the ladybug below.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

At one time these were plain concrete, but they’ve been painted bright colors and now look exceptionally cheery.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

There’s also a fun little photo opportunity where you and a friend can pretend to be Swedish children. Oakland is the Swedish capital of Nebraska, after all!

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

Be sure to bring plenty of bug spray on this walk. The path is full of trees, tall grasses, and a stream - all favorite breeding grounds for insects. Don’t forget to do a tick check when you get home, too.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

A little distance from the Troll Stroll is another spot worthy of a visit. Oakland’s Four Trees are a well-known local landmark; in fact, the forest itself and a nearby housing development are named after the trees.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

The trees are around 130-150 years old and so majestic that you’ll want to snap plenty of pictures. It seems that one of them is no longer with us, but its stump remains.

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

Address: 700 East 1st Street, Oakland, NE 68045

Richard Hiltbrunner for OIYS

The No Toll Troll Stroll is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and there’s never a fee (or even a toll) to enter.

Would you ever do this unique nature walk? Be sure to comment with how many trolls you found along the way!

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