Sckylar RayneThe Adventuring Dreamer’s Guide to Visiting The Bernheim Forest Giants
The Bernheim Forest Giants are friendly woodland creatures who are currently residing in Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. When you wander into this forest in Kentucky, you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a fairytale.
When Mikey and I decided to move across the country from Arizona to New York City, we knew we would be road-tripping since we have big dogs. But I didn’t want to do some boring A to B road trip without exciting stops. So, I immediately took to Facebook and asked if anyone had any suggestions of unique places to see along our route. And, boy, did people deliver!
There was one suggestion that stuck out to me beyond all the others, and that was stopping to see the Bernheim Forest Giants. I’ve always felt connected to folklore and fairytales, and discovering that there was a forest in Kentucky where sculptures of forest giants sat amongst the trees was too much to pass up. It immediately became priority number one on our road trip itinerary.
So, if you’re in the Kentucky area or planning to drive through Kentucky on a road trip sometime soon, I highly recommend visiting the Bernheim Forest Giants. Here is everything you need to know to plan your trip.
Who are the Bernheim Forest Giants?
In a forest of 16,137 acres, Mama Loumari and her two children, Little Nis and Little Elina wait for Isak Heartstone, the father of the family, to come home. Mama Loumari lays with her back up against a tree, resting as she grows her third child in her belly. She stays near their home, which is in a clearing in the trees and is full of treasures she’s collected over the years. There’s a giant skull and a unicorn horn among many other magical items! Little Nis spends his time by the water, watching his reflection. Little Elina likes to play with the rocks in her rock garden nearby. Isak Heartstone, the little giants’ papa, has gone away up the mountain in Breckenridge, Colorado where he is presumably away on business.
Creating a fairytale in nature
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest was dedicated to the people of Kentucky in 1929 when German immigrant, Isaac W. Bernheim bought the land and committed it as a place where people could enjoy art and nature together. Now, more than 500,000 visitors come to Bernheim Forest each year to explore and connect with nature.
In 2020, Bernheim Forest commissioned Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, to create the Bernheim Forest Giants. The giants are a part of Dambo’s ongoing fairytale series where he creates giants out of recycled wood. You can visit his art all over the world!
Since Dambo’s work is about creating art while respecting the planet, and Isaac Bernheim was not only a fan of sculpture but had envisioned his land to be a place for art and nature to coexist, the partnership with Dambo was the perfect addition to the forest.
Planning Your Trip to Visit the Bernheim Forest Giants
When to visit Bernheim?
Mikey and I visited the Bernheim Forest Giants at the beginning of July and the experience was magnificent. However, the weather was a little toasty. While the trees and meadows of the forest looked spectacular in the summer, I would recommend going a little earlier or later in the year when the weather isn’t as hot.
Bernheim is open during all four seasons. So, I would recommend going in your favorite season. Whether that’s when you can see the leaves changing colors in the fall, when snow covers the bare limbs of the trees in winter, or in the spring and summer when all the foliage is in full bloom.
How much does it cost to get into Bernheim Forest?
Entry to Bernheim Forest is free, but it’s recommended that you donate $10 per vehicle.
How much time do you need to visit the Bernheim Forest Giants?
If you are visiting Bernheim Forest solely to visit the giants, then parking at the visitor’s center and walking to each giant will take roughly 60 to 90 minutes. That’s including time to stop to admire the sculptures and take pictures. However, Bernheim Forest is more than 16,000 acres of forest, lakes, and hiking trails and you can easily spend all day in the forest if you want to explore the other areas.
Mikey and I went to Bernheim mainly to visit the giants, and we always take a little extra time than most people when it comes to excursions like this. We spent about two hours with Mama Loumari and her kids, then spent another two hours wandering the forest. In total, we spent four hours exploring the park and everything it has to offer. We could have easily spent more time there, but it was hot and we needed to head to the next stop on our road trip.
How long of a walk is it to see the Bernheim Forest Giants?
Each giant is within walking distance from the others. It’s about a two-mile loop to walk and see each giant. Parking is located near each giant as well.
Here’s a downloadable map to get a good idea of where each giant likes to hang out. Little Nis likes to sit and look at his reflection in the Olmstead Pond, while Little Elina likes to play with her rock garden over by the Cypress-Tupelo Swam. Mama Loumari sits in between her two kids in the middle of the forest near the Sun and Shade Loop. The trail between the three giants is gorgeous, especially as you’re walking through the Big Prairie, which was my favorite part.
Do you need reservations for Bernheim Forest?
No reservations are required to enter Bernheim Forest.
The forest is open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. but is closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s.
What is there to do at Bernheim Forest?
Aside from hanging out with the Bernheim Forest Giants, there are many other ways to occupy your time in the park.
Hiking trails and exploring the outdoor areas
Bernheim Forest covers over 16,137 acres of land. There are over 40 miles of hiking trails to wander, ponds and lakes to explore, and basically, just a whole lot of space to relax and connect with nature. All of the lakes and ponds have benches nearby where you can sit and watch the wildlife. Mikey and I spent several minutes near the Olmsted Ponds looking at the turtles swimming around in the water. There were so many! There is also a canopy tree walk— a boardwalk that extends into the canopy of the trees, 75 feet up in the air!
The Sensory Garden
This beautiful garden has five different flower beds— all of which are dedicated to different physical senses, like smell, touch, and sight! There is also a quiet space for anyone in need of a calming environment, or who wants to connect with nature in peace.
The Visitor Center
Here, you can learn about sustainable design, explore the gift shop, or grab a bite to eat inside Isaac’s café. Mikey and I grabbed lunch here and ate on the patio. Mikey got the grilled cheese sandwich and I got the garden hummus veggie wrap, then we shared a lemon cupcake for dessert. It was delicious! The café does a great job of offering meals for any diet, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan.
Fire Tower
Experience Bernheim Forest from 961 feet in the air. From the top of the oldest structure in the forest, you can take in views of all the trees and even see Louisville on a clear day! Please note, however, that the tower is only open when a volunteer naturalist is on duty.
Edible Garden
This vegetable garden covers four acres of forest land and follows the most rigorous green design standards in the world. The purpose of the garden is to connect people with nature through gardening. And the garden supplies all the veggies served inside the café!
Are dogs allowed in Bernheim Forest?
Yes, dogs are allowed in all the outdoor areas of Bernheim Forest. Mikey and I brought our dogs, Luna and Willow, and they had a blast exploring all the sights and smells of the forest.
If you plan to bring your dog to Bernheim Forest, keep in mind that this is a forest and so make sure that your pet has protection against pests that are common in the woods, like ticks. Also, if you’re going when it is hot, make sure to have doggy shoes so your pup’s feet don’t burn! These are the puppy shoes that we use for our dogs.
How to get to Bernheim Forest?
Bernheim Forest is located just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. It’s about a 30-minute drive south on I-65. You’ll exit on 112, then go about 2.5 miles east on Clermont Road until you see a big sign that says, Bernheim Forest on the Southern side of the road.
How long will the Bernheim Forest Giants be residing at Bernheim Forest?
Because Mama Loumari, Little Nis, and Little Elina are made out of recycled materials and stay outside 365 days a year, they were built to be temporary sculptures. It is estimated that they will be residing in Bernheim Forest for a total of 3-5 years, or until about 2025.
Where are the other giants?
Thomas Dambo’s giant project is a worldwide art installation. He has created giants all over the world, including many other giants in the United States, and six forgotten giants in Copenhagen.
Dambo’s troll project is called The Great Story of the Little People and the Giant Trolls and this map depicts all the current locations where Dambo’s trolls reside.
Dambo’s trolls are an ever-evolving project and they may not reside in a single location for too long. So, if you ever want to meet Mama Loumari and her kids in Bernheim, or their father Isak Heartstone in Breckenridge, be sure to plan your visit before they’re gone!
Planning a trip soon?
Here are a few helpful services:
Booking.com | Find a comfy place to lay your head after a full day of adventuring.
Vrbo | If you’re looking for a more homey vibe, these rental homes might do the trick.
Expedia | Whether you’re looking for some wheels or a flight, you can find a way to get to your destination here.
Get Your Guide | Find local attractions and tours and book tickets to your excursions.
TSA | If you’re flying, check out the TSA page to make sure that you pack to TSA regulations.
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