Gnome Roam at Giant City State Park

Giant City State Park is a hidden gem offering a unique experience for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and light adventure travelers. One of the park's highlights is the annual wintertime “Gnome Roam”, inviting visitors to explore seven different trails (excluding the Red Cedar Backpacking Trail) while searching for whimsical winter gnome sculptures scattered along the trails, just waiting to be discovered. The park provides a magical setting for adventure seekers December through February when the Gnome Roam commences!

The Gnome Roam meanders through a picturesque landscape of seven well-maintained trails, offering a perfect balance of natural beauty and exploration. These relatively easy trails are accessible to most ages and skill levels. The paths wind through towering trees, sandstone rock formations (the “Giants” of Giant City), and ephemeral creeks (depending on the year), with each twist revealing the park's serene environment.

Each of the seven trails has a rosy-cheeked gnome hidden on the trail… and those sneaky guys move around! When visitors find one, they should record the date, trail name, and what the gnome is holding or snap a picture of the gnome… even better, take a selfie with the gnome!

When visitors have completed the trails (over a day or two, or up to three months!), they take their proof (the list or the photos - all seven) to the Giant City Visitor Center for a cool gnome patch. The Visitor Center is open most days from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Please note that hours may change around the holidays or due to weather issues.)