A Troll in the UP?!? Benny the Beard Fisher is a Must-Visit Hidden Gem
Would you like to save this full guide?
We'll email this article to you, so you can come back to it later!
Once upon a time, trolls lived UNDER the bridge… and up until recently, that was true in Michigan, too. In fact, “Troll” is the “endearing” term used by “Yoopers” (those who live in the Upper Peninsula) for someone who lives in the Lower Peninsula.
But now, at least one Troll has established his residency in the UP: Benny the Beard Fisher.
Related: A Michigan Vocabulary Lesson
Meet Benny the Beard Fisher
Reclining on the shores of the Manistique River in Germfask Michigan, Benny the Beard Fisher is a wooden troll, created by artist Thomas Dambo, whose stature is around 30 feet long and 14 feet tall.
The giant troll’s head, hands, and feet were manufactured in Denmark and shipped to Germfask ahead of the artist’s arrival. The remainder of his body was assembled on-site in July 2023.
The cedar planks used to create this fantasy creature were recycled from a nearby Amish lumber mill, while branches and saplings were collected from nearby the installation site. The sculpture’s creator said that he takes pleasure in seeing the opportunity in what other people discard.
“But if we understand the meaning of one man’s trash is another man’s treasure then we understand that trash is a treasure. I believe trash is wealth, trash is an opportunity the world is not drowning in the trash we just don’t have the objective set right, the world is filled with opportunity.”
– Thomas Dambo
Visitors to the campground as well as those floating down the river are enthralled with the large wooden troll, sharing photos and videos to social media.
About Thomas Dambo
Over 100 wooden trolls exist around the world, thanks to Thomas Dambo. In fact, Benny the Beard Fisher was his 117th troll installation. Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, Dambo has created more than 30 trolls in the United States, turning childhood imaginations into life-sized statues.
Dambo is also writing a children’s book using each of the U.S. trolls he installed during 2023 as characters. His book will focus on water conservation, using the trolls to tell various parts of the story.
About Northland Outfitters
Levi and Durea Brady are the new owners of the campground and canoe/kayak livery at Northland Outfitters. Located on the Manistique River near Seney National Wildlife Refuge, they offer overnight accommodations and rentals for exploring the Umpqua National Forest area.
The Bradys have plans to create a parking lot and gift shop alongside state highway M-77, along with a wooden boardwalk leading to the troll sculpture to minimize vehicle traffic inside the existing campground and livery parking lot.
Our Visit with Benny
In July 2024, our family got to meet Benny! We met up with Levi and Durea – the owners of Northland Outfitters – at the campground where they matched us up with kayaks, lifejackets, and paddles before they shuttled us to the drop point.
Fun Fact: While talking to Levi, I learned that they had never been to Michigan (originally from Colorado) and had never even heard of the Upper Peninsula before they heard about Northland Outfitters being for sale a few years ago. When they came to check out the outfitter and campground, they paddled the same section of river we were about to paddle, and they were sold!
We paddled the 2.5-hour (it took us closer to 3 hours) “10 Curves” section of the river. While the trip was a little too long for my littles (they got bored about an hour in since they weren’t paddling their own kayaks), it was a great morning on the river.
As we rounded the final curve before reaching the campground, we saw Benny sitting alongside the river, his beard hanging over the banks. Levi had given me a heads-up that there was a logjam directly across from Benny, so I paddled into it to grab some photos before heading to the boat ramp.
The staff at Northland Outfitters met us at the ramp and helped us exit the water (we very much appreciated their assistance!), and then we followed the path to visit Benny.
I was honestly surprised at how “busy” Benny was on a Monday morning. We had to wait our turn to get photos with him (and then we still didn’t manage to be alone in the photo as people were approaching from behind).
He is truly a work of art and you’ve really got to experience him up close to appreciate the level of detail. I would have loved to stick around for a bit to check him out more fully, but there were others waiting for their turn for a photo and the kids were ready for lunch.
More to Explore in Germfask & Beyond
Germfask derives its name from the names of its eight founding settlers from 1881. The names of these founders are John Grant, Matthew Edge, George Robinson, Thaddeus Mead, Dr. W. W. French, Ezekiel Ackley, Oscar Shepard, and Hezekiah Knaggs.
This small Upper Peninsula town is home to fewer than 500 individuals and is known for its central location between many of the UP’s top tourist destinations.
Seney National Wildlife Refuge
The Seney National Wildlife Refuge is the ideal place to relax, watch the sunrise or sunset, and enjoy the wildlife that’s around every part of this forest and wetland area along the eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula.
Within the refuge are two areas — the Stangmoor Bog National Natural Landmark and the Seney Wilderness area, both of which are picturesque and ecoclinal diverse and have some of the most stunning protected areas in the state.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Nestled in the forests of the Upper Peninsula, Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a hidden gem in this northern wilderness. This Michigan state park is most famous for the cascading waterfalls that are found within its borders, but there are plenty of other things to see and do within this gorgeous landscape.
Kitch-iti-kipi
There is nothing quite like the natural beauty found in Michigan. One of the most fantastic attractions located in the Upper Peninsula is Kitch-iti-kipi. This area is often referred to as “The Big Spring” as it offers a beautiful natural water source that is 40 feet deep and 200 feet across.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Seemingly rising from the foreboding waters of Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the most breathtaking geological wonders in the state. Now protected and preserved so that people can continue to enjoy the wonders of these layered walls for years to come, it is an iconic Upper Peninsula destination and a must-visit area for people of all ages.
Fayette Historic State Park
Michigan is a state that is rich in history and overflowing with natural resources — and when you visit Fayette Historic State Park, you get to experience both the beauty of the past and the present. This state park, which is located in the Village of Garden in Delta County, features a historic townsite as well as a campground, harbor, beach, and five miles of trails.
