The Fremont Troll is an 18-foot concrete sculpture depicting a troll clutching an actual Volkswagen Beetle. It’s located beneath the north end of the Aurora Bridge (George Washington Memorial Bridge) at N. 36th Street and Troll Avenue in Seattle’s quirky Fremont neighborhood, Washington. This guide covers opening times, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting Seattle‘s most photographed public art installation.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening times | Open 24 hours, year-round. Accessible at all times. |
| Admission | Free. No entrance fees. Donations welcome to support maintenance. |
| Address | N. 36th Street at Troll Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98103 (under the Aurora Bridge) |
| Getting there | 4 miles north of downtown Seattle. Bus routes 26, 31, 32, 62 stop nearby. 5-10 minute walk from Fremont center. Limited street parking. |
| Time needed | 10 to 20 minutes for viewing and photos. Allow 30-45 minutes to explore nearby Troll’s Knoll Park. |
Fremont Troll opening times
The Fremont Troll is accessible 24 hours a day, year-round. There are no gates, operating hours or restrictions. The sculpture is permanently installed under the Aurora Bridge and can be visited at any time.
Best visiting times: Early morning (before 10:00) or weekdays to avoid crowds. The troll sees heaviest visitation on weekends (particularly Saturday afternoons) and sunny summer days (June-August) when tour groups, families and photographers gather. Late afternoon (16:00-18:00) typically offers good light for photography with fewer people.
Evening visits: The area is generally safe but visiting during daylight hours is recommended for better visibility and a livelier atmosphere. The Fremont neighborhood is most active during daytime and early evening.
Special events: The troll’s “birthday” is celebrated annually on 31 October during Troll-o-Ween, featuring public performances, community gatherings and seasonal decorations.
Opening times and admission information were checked and updated January 2026.
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Fremont Troll admission and parking
Admission to the Fremont Troll is completely free. No tickets or fees are required to view or photograph the sculpture.
Donation box: A donation box is located at the site to support ongoing maintenance and cleaning. Donations help preserve this community art piece and are encouraged but not required.
No on-site parking exists. The troll is located at the dead end of N. 36th Street beneath the bridge, making parking extremely limited.
Parking options:
- Free street parking: Available on surrounding streets (N. 36th Street, Troll Avenue, nearby residential streets). Parking can be difficult to find, especially weekends. The area has steep, narrow streets typical of Seattle neighborhoods.
- 3615 Fremont Avenue North: Closest designated parking area (approximately 5-minute walk from the troll).
- Fremont center parking: Park near Fremont Avenue N. and N. 34th Street (near Fremont Sunday Market area) and walk 5-10 minutes to the troll.
Public transport recommended: Seattle Metro buses (routes 26, 31, 32, 62) serve Fremont with stops on Fremont Avenue N. From bus stops, walk west along N. 34th Street (in the opposite direction from Fremont Sunday Market) for approximately 5-10 minutes to reach the troll.
How to get to the Fremont Troll
The troll is located in the Fremont neighborhood, approximately 4 miles north of downtown Seattle.
From downtown Seattle (15-20 minutes by bus):
- Take Seattle Metro bus route 26, 31, 32 or 62 northbound
- Alight at stops on Fremont Avenue N. near N. 34th Street
- Walk west along N. 34th Street for 5-10 minutes
- Continue uphill to N. 36th Street and Troll Avenue under the Aurora Bridge
By car from downtown Seattle (15 minutes without traffic):
- Drive north on Westlake Avenue N. or Aurora Avenue N. (Highway 99)
- Turn west onto N. 34th Street
- Continue to N. 36th Street (road dead-ends at the troll)
- Note: Parking is limited; public transport recommended
On foot from Fremont center:
- Walk west along N. 34th Street
- Turn right onto N. 36th Street
- Walk uphill to the dead end beneath the Aurora Bridge (5-10 minutes)
GPS coordinates: Enter “N. 36th Street and Troll Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98103” or “Fremont Troll” in navigation apps. Some GPS systems may incorrectly place the troll on the bridge itself; the sculpture is beneath the bridge’s north end.
Tour: The easiest way to visit the Fremont Troll is as part of a tour. Half day tours to Snoqualmie Falls stop by to say hello, while also visiting the Hiram J Chittenden Locks, Kerry Park and Pike Place Market.
Parking at the Fremont Troll
As noted above, no dedicated parking lot exists. Street parking on N. 36th Street and surrounding residential streets is the only option.
Parking challenges:
- Steep streets: The area features steep hills with narrow streets
- Limited spaces: The troll is at a dead end with minimal street parking immediately adjacent
- Confusing signage: Some visitors report unclear “no parking” signs; read all posted restrictions carefully
- Weekends and summer: Parking is most difficult during peak visitation times
Best parking strategy:
- Park in central Fremont near Fremont Avenue N. and walk 5-10 minutes
- Use public transport to avoid parking challenges entirely
- Arrive early morning or weekdays for better street parking availability
Rideshare/taxi: Convenient drop-off option. Drivers can drop passengers at N. 36th Street and Troll Avenue (the troll is visible from the street).
Accessibility at the Fremont Troll
The Fremont Troll has moderate accessibility for visitors with mobility limitations.
Terrain: The troll is located at the top of a steep hill at the dead end of N. 36th Street. Reaching the sculpture from central Fremont or parking areas involves uphill walking.
Path to sculpture: The immediate area around the troll is relatively level once you reach the site. The surface is paved (street) and compacted earth/gravel under the bridge.
Wheelchair access: The site is accessible for wheelchair users who can navigate the steep approach. Once at the troll, level viewing areas exist. However, the steep surrounding streets present challenges for manual wheelchairs and those with mobility impairments.
Stairs: A stairway rebuilt in September 2023 leads to the top of the sculpture. This feature is for climbing on the troll (popular with visitors) but is not necessary for viewing.
Troll’s Knoll Park (adjacent): The small park features level lawn areas, walking paths and seating, providing accessible green space for resting.
Overall, wheelchair users can access the troll but should be prepared for steep streets in the surrounding area.
What to see at the Fremont Troll
The sculpture: An 18-foot-tall concrete giant emerging from beneath the Aurora Bridge, gripping an actual Volkswagen Beetle in its left hand. The car appears to have been plucked from the roadway above. The vehicle originally held a time capsule including a plaster bust of Elvis Presley, which was stolen during vandalism.
Construction details: The troll weighs 13,000 pounds (approximately 5,900 kilograms) and is constructed from steel rebar, wire and concrete. Its massive scale makes it one of Seattle’s largest public sculptures.
Design features: The troll has one eye (crafted from a hubcap), scraggly hair, and is depicted waist-deep in the ground. The left hand crushes the VW Beetle while the right arm extends outward. The sculpture’s hunched, lurking posture creates an impression of the troll emerging from the earth beneath the bridge.
Creation: Sculpted in 1990 by four local artists: Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter and Ross Whitehead. The sculpture won a competition organized by the Fremont Arts Council to rehabilitate the area under the Aurora Bridge, which had become a dumping ground for trash, needles and old mattresses.
Inspiration: Derived from Scandinavian (Norwegian) folklore about trolls living under bridges. The sculpture embodies Fremont’s unofficial motto “Libertas Quirkas” (Freedom to be Peculiar) and the neighborhood’s celebration of quirky, counter-culture art.
Vandalism and maintenance: Despite its intent to beautify the underpass, the troll has been repeatedly vandalized with graffiti. Local activists regularly clean the sculpture. The troll’s beard and hair have been frequent targets. The sculpture has accumulated “blobby concrete lumps” over decades as fresh layers cover spray paint.
Troll Avenue: In 2005, the segment of Aurora Avenue North running downhill from the troll to N. 34th Street was officially renamed “Troll Avenue” in honor of the sculpture.
Troll’s Knoll Park: Created as a sustainable park space west of the troll, featuring walking paths, open lawn, seating areas, views and native plantings. The park connects to Troll’s Knoll P-Patch (community garden).
Popular culture: The troll appears in the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You (Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Larisa Oleynik’s characters visit the sculpture), the 2015 video game Life is Strange, and inspired the 2016 song “The Fremont Troll” by Chicago rock band Majungas. In 2022, the Seattle Kraken hockey team introduced Buoy, a mascot said to be the Fremont Troll’s nephew.
Practical tips for visiting the Fremont Troll
| Tip |
|---|
| Use public transport rather than driving. Parking is limited and streets are steep. Seattle Metro buses 26, 31, 32, 62 serve Fremont. |
| Combine with other Fremont attractions: Lenin Statue (0.4 miles), Waiting for the Interurban (0.5 miles), Fremont Rocket, Gas Works Park (0.8 miles) are all within walking distance. |
| Visit early morning or weekdays to avoid crowds and have the troll to yourself for unobstructed photos. |
| Climb carefully if you choose to climb on the sculpture (popular with children and adults). The surface can be slippery and there are no safety features. |
| Donate if you enjoy the troll. The donation box supports ongoing maintenance and graffiti removal. Donations keep free public art accessible. |
| Explore Troll’s Knoll Park adjacent to the sculpture for a peaceful green space with picnic areas. |
| Visit during Troll-o-Ween (31 October) for the annual birthday celebration with performances and festivities. |
Frequently asked questions about the Fremont Troll
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is it safe to climb on the troll? | Yes, climbing is allowed and popular, especially with children. However, there are no safety features (railings, cushioning). Climb carefully as surfaces can be slippery. |
| When was the troll created? | 1990. The sculpture is currently 34-35 years old (as of 2024-2025). |
| Why is there a VW Beetle? | The actual Volkswagen Beetle encased in concrete symbolizes the troll snatching a car from the Aurora Bridge roadway above. The car originally contained a time capsule. |
| Is there parking at the troll? | No dedicated parking. Very limited free street parking on steep, narrow surrounding streets. Public transport is recommended. |
| How long does it take to visit? | 10-20 minutes for most visitors (viewing and photos). Longer if climbing or exploring Troll’s Knoll Park. |
| Is the troll wheelchair accessible? | Moderately accessible. The immediate site is relatively level but surrounding streets are steep. Wheelchair users can reach and view the troll but may find the approach challenging. |
Fremont neighborhood context
“Center of the Universe”: Fremont’s unofficial motto and identity. The neighborhood celebrates quirky, artistic, counter-culture character with multiple public art installations.
Libertas Quirkas: Latin phrase meaning “Freedom to be Peculiar.” Represents Fremont’s embrace of eccentricity and artistic expression.
Fremont Arts Council: Nonprofit organization that commissioned the troll and promotes public art throughout the neighborhood. The council organizes events including the Fremont Solstice Parade (June), featuring naked cyclists painted in body art, giant puppets and elaborate floats.
Anti-development sentiment: The troll’s creation in 1990 coincided with concerns about increased development in Fremont, including large apartment buildings and office parks urbanizing the formerly residential neighborhood. The sculpture symbolized resistance to over-development and preservation of Fremont’s unique character.
Things to do near the Fremont Troll
Statue of Lenin (0.4 miles, 7-minute walk) is a controversial 16-foot bronze statue of Soviet revolutionary Vladimir Lenin. Rescued from a Slovakian scrapyard after the 1989 revolution, the statue has stood in Fremont since 1995. The sculpture is privately owned and frequently decorated for holidays or vandalized with red paint (hands symbolizing blood).
Waiting for the Interurban (0.5 miles, 8-minute walk at N. 34th Street and Fremont Avenue N.) is a cast aluminum sculpture by Richard Beyer depicting five people and a dog waiting for a train. Created in 1979, the sculpture is Seattle’s most popular public art piece and is frequently dressed in costumes for holidays, protests, celebrations and local events.
Gas Works Park (0.8 miles, 12-minute walk or 3 minutes by car) is a 19-acre waterfront park on Lake Union featuring remnants of a former gasification plant transformed into a public park. The park offers stunning views of Seattle’s skyline, the Space Needle, picnic areas, kite-flying hill and walking trails along the Burke-Gilman Trail.
Fremont Rocket (0.5 miles, 8-minute walk) is a 53-foot Cold War-era rocket mounted on a building at the corner of N. 35th Street and Evanston Avenue N. Originally a military surplus item, the sculpture reinforces Fremont’s quirky identity.
Theo Chocolate Factory (0.4 miles, 6-minute walk at 3400 Phinney Avenue N.) offers tours of the organic, fair-trade chocolate factory with tastings. The shop sells chocolates, confections and gifts. Tours require advance booking (fees apply).
Fremont Sunday Market (0.5 miles at N. 34th Street and Fremont Avenue) operates year-round on Sundays featuring vendors selling vintage items, antiques, crafts, art and food.
Burke-Gilman Trail: A 27-mile paved multi-use trail running through Fremont, connecting to Gas Works Park, University of Washington, Ballard and beyond. Popular for walking, running and cycling.
More Seattle travel
Other Seattle travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to the Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry.
- Booking tips for Chihuly Garden and Glass.
- A practical guide to visiting the Seattle Aquarium.
- How the Seattle weather plays a major part in your experience.
- A practical guide to visiting the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle.
