What Are the Whispering Giants?
The Trail of the Whispering Giants is a collection of massive sculptures by Hungarian-born artist Peter Wolf Toth that will absolutely blow your mind. These incredible works range in height from 20 to 40 feet and are between 8 and 10 feet in diameter. Each sculpture resembles natives of the region where it’s located, creating a unique tribute to Native American heritage across the country.
Here’s what makes the Trail of the Whispering Giants so special: Starting in 1971, Toth committed to creating at least one sculpture in each of the 50 states. He donated every single piece to its community, asking only for raw materials, food, and lodging while he worked. Talk about an artist with a mission of love and respect for Native American culture!
With 74 sculptures originally created (now 73 after one was removed in Oregon), this trail spans the entire United States, plus a couple in Canada. Peter carved each one by hand using only a hammer and chisel – no power tools! Each sculpture takes 2-3 months to complete and is carved from a single massive log native to the area.
Our Trail of the Whispering Giants Hunt
We’re on an epic quest to find as many of these towering sculptures as possible during our travels. Each one tells the story of local Native American tribes and adds an incredible roadside stop to any trip. Plus, they’re perfect for those “holy crap, that’s huge!” photos that make people stop scrolling.
Some of these giants are easier to find than others – a few have been relocated over the years, and sadly, some have been lost to weather and time. But that’s what makes this hunt so exciting! We’re documenting every Whispering Giant we can find, and we’ve organized them all in the table below so you can plan your own giant-hunting road trip.
Our Giant Discoveries So Far:
“Love is Life” – Little Rock, Arkansas (#27)
This Arkansas giant stands proud in Little Rock’s Riverfront Park, and let me tell you – the intricate details representing local tribal heritage are even more jaw-dropping in person. Completed in 1975, this was the 27th sculpture in Toth’s mission. The scale of these sculptures never gets old – you really don’t appreciate how massive 30+ feet is until you’re standing next to it.
“Junaluska” – Johnson City, Tennessee (#55)
Named after Cherokee leader Junaluska, this Tennessee sculpture captures the strength and dignity of the Cherokee nation. Dedicated in November 1986, this was Toth’s 55th sculpture in the Trail of the Whispering Giants. Located in Johnson City, it’s a perfect stop if you’re exploring the eastern Tennessee area. The sculpture was lovingly restored in 2018 and stands as one of the most well-maintained giants on the trail.
| State | City | Name/Title | Status/Notes | Your Visit Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Dothan | Mus-Quoian | Greenfield Park | Not yet |
| Alaska | Valdez | #40 (Oct 1981) | 30-ft Sitka Spruce | Not yet |
| Arizona | Winslow | #33 (Fall 1979) | Winslow Visitor Center, W. 1st St | Not yet |
| Arkansas | Little Rock | “Love is Life” #27 (1975) | Riverfront Park | ✅ Found it! |
| California | La Jolla | #1 “Scarfaced Indian” (Feb 1972) | MISSING – Stone cliffside original | Not yet |
| California | Desert Hot Springs | “Waokiye” #50 (May 1985) | Pueblo Indian Museum | Not yet |
| California | Fort Lauderdale | Moved from Hollywood | Relocated sculpture | Not yet |
| Colorado | Loveland | “Redman” #31 (Aug 1979) | LAID DOWN Dec 2022 – private ranch | Not yet |
| Connecticut | Stratford | #17 | Boothe Memorial Park | Not yet |
| Delaware | Bethany Beach | “Chief Little Owl” #69 (July 2002) | Replacement sculpture – 24 ft tall | Not yet |
| Florida | Fort Lauderdale | #12 | Good condition | Not yet |
| Florida | Punta Gorda | “Calostimucu” | Laishley Park | Not yet |
| Georgia | Colquitt | #70 (1972, replaced) | Town Square – replacement after rot | Not yet |
| Hawaii | Sunset Beach (Oahu) | “Pohaku Loa” #58 (May 1988) | No longer displayed – property sold | Not yet |
| Idaho | Kellogg | #38 | North Tourist Park | Not yet |
| Illinois | Ottawa | #61 | Allen Park along Illinois River | Not yet |
| Illinois | Hopewell | – | Off IL-29 atop hill | Not yet |
| Illinois | Springfield | “Omiskanoagwaiak” | Forest Park | Not yet |
| Indiana | Vincennes | “Tecumseh” #74 (2009) | Most recent sculpture – Black Oak | Not yet |
| Iowa | Iowa Falls | #68 (replaced #28) | Foster Blvd by Veterans Memorial | Not yet |
| Kansas | Troy | “Tall Oak” (Sept 1979) | Doniphan County Courthouse – 27 ft | Not yet |
| Kentucky | Paducah | “Wacinton” #55 (May 1985) | Restored 2016-2017 – Noble Park | Not yet |
| Louisiana | Marksville | #23 | Tunica-Biloxi Reservation | Not yet |
| Maine | Old Orchard Beach | #18 | Town Hall on Garfield Parkway | Not yet |
| Maryland | Ocean City | #21 | South Second St & Baltimore Ave | Not yet |
| Massachusetts | Plymouth | “Enisketomp” #47 (July 1984) | Tourist Info Center, Route 3 Exit 5 | Not yet |
| Massachusetts | Springfield | “Omiskanoagwaiak” | Forest Park | Not yet |
| Michigan | Lansing | #16 | REMOVED – was at Potter Park Zoo | Not yet |
| Michigan | Harbor Springs | #59 | Dock on Sunday Lake | Not yet |
| Minnesota | Two Harbors | “Indian Brave” #25 | Info Center, Hwy 61 East | Not yet |
| Mississippi | Philadelphia | #15 | Choctaw Indian Reservation | Not yet |
| Missouri | Cape Girardeau | #20 | Southeast of Hwy 70 | Not yet |
| Montana | Red Lodge | #32 | Red Lodge Library | Not yet |
| Nebraska | Lincoln | #36 | Lincoln Indian Center | Not yet |
| Nevada | Elko | #53 | Chamber building on Hwy 27 | Not yet |
| New Hampshire | Laconia | #49 (May 1988) | Opechee Park | Not yet |
| New Jersey | Fairlawn | #51 | Fairlawn Elementary School | Not yet |
| New Mexico | Las Cruces | #54 | Metro-Kiwanis Park | Not yet |
| New York | Dunkirk | “Ong-Gwe-Ohn-Weh” #3 (1973) | City Park | Not yet |
| North Carolina | Cherokee | “Sequoyah” #63 (Sept 1989) | Museum of the Cherokee Indian | Not yet |
| North Carolina | Buckhead | #71 | Waccamaw Siouan Reservation | Not yet |
| North Carolina | Whiteville | #72 | NC Museum of Forestry | Not yet |
| North Dakota | Mandan | #37 | North Tourist Park, Lincoln Rd | Not yet |
| Ohio | Akron | “Rotaynah” #2 (Summer 1972) | DESTROYED – was at Sand Run Park | Not yet |
| Ohio | Elyria | #52 | Good condition | Not yet |
| Oklahoma | Broken Bow | #29 | Beavers Bend State Park | Not yet |
| Oregon | Hillsboro | “Kno-Tah” #56 (Sept 1987) | REMOVED June 2017 – windstorm damage | Not yet |
| Oregon | Astoria | #57 – 18 ft cedar | Good condition | Not yet |
| Pennsylvania | Williamsport | “Chief Woapalanne” #65 (1990) | Brandon Park – 24 ft, restored 2015 | Not yet |
| Rhode Island | Narragansett | “Enishkeetompauog” #42 (July 1982) | Sprague Park | Not yet |
| South Carolina | Anderson | #19 | Anderson Park | Not yet |
| South Dakota | Huron | #39 | Fairlawn Cemetery | Not yet |
| Tennessee | Johnson City | “Junaluska” #55 (Nov 1986) | Restored 2018 – honors Cherokee | ✅ Found it! |
| Texas | Texarkana | #34 (May 1980) | NO LONGER VIEWABLE – damaged | Not yet |
| Utah | Murray | “Chief Wasatch” #52 | Murray Park | Not yet |
| Vermont | Burlington | “Chief Grey Lock” #48 (Sept 1984) | REMOVED July 2025 from Battery Park | Not yet |
| Virginia | Virginia Beach | #14 | Good condition | Not yet |
| Washington | Vancouver | #11 (Oct 1974) | Good condition | Not yet |
| West Virginia | Huntington | #5 | Ritter Park | Not yet |
| Wisconsin | Lac du Flambeau | #26 | Forest Heritage Center | Not yet |
| Wyoming | Evanston | #35 | Anderson Park | Not yet |
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Planning Your Whispering Giants Road Trip
Ready to start your own Trail of the Whispering Giants adventure? Use the table above to plot your route – we’ve included cities, locations, and current status for all 50 states to help you plan.
Pro tips for giant hunting:
- Call ahead for relocated sculptures: A few have moved from their original spots, so a quick call to the local visitor center can save you a wild goose chase
- Check the status column: Some giants have sadly been lost to weather or removed – we’ve marked these so you don’t make a special trip to see one that’s no longer there
- Look for the sculpture numbers: Peter Toth numbered each sculpture in the order he created them (#1-#74), which makes for cool context when you’re visiting
- Visit parks and civic centers: Most giants are in public spaces like parks, courthouses, or visitor centers – free and easy to access
- Bring your camera: These 30-40 foot sculptures are absolutely massive in person – way more impressive than photos can capture
Trail of the Whispering Giants: Frequently Asked Questions
How many Whispering Giants are there?
There are currently 73 Whispering Giants sculptures standing across the United States. Peter Wolf Toth originally created 74 sculptures, but one in Hillsboro, Oregon was removed in June 2017 after suffering irreparable windstorm damage. Each of the 50 states has at least one sculpture, with some states like California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Oregon having multiple giants.
Who created the Whispering Giants?
The Trail of the Whispering Giants was created by Peter Wolf Toth, a Hungarian-born American artist who immigrated to the United States as a child. Inspired by his own family’s experience as refugees and his deep respect for Native American culture, Toth began his mission in 1971 at age 24. He has spent over 50 years creating these sculptures, using only a hammer and chisel – no power tools!
How long does it take to carve a Whispering Giant?
Each Whispering Giant sculpture takes Peter Toth approximately 2-3 months to complete. He carves each one from a single massive log (typically 8-10 feet in diameter) using only hand tools. The sculptures range from 20 to 40 feet tall and can weigh several tons.
Are the Whispering Giants free to visit?
Yes! Peter Toth donated every single sculpture to its community, and they’re located in public spaces like parks, civic centers, and courthouses. There’s no admission fee to see any of the Whispering Giants – they’re free roadside attractions perfect for a quick photo stop during your travels.
What happened to the first Whispering Giant?
The very first Whispering Giant (sculpture #1) was carved into a sandstone cliff in La Jolla, California in February 1972. Unlike all the others, it was carved from stone rather than wood. Unfortunately, this original sculpture is now missing and no longer exists. It was the only stone sculpture in the entire Trail – all others are hand-carved from wood.
Which Whispering Giants are missing or damaged?
Several Whispering Giants have been lost over the years due to weather, rot, or damage:
- California (La Jolla): Original stone sculpture #1 – missing
- Hawaii: No longer displayed, property sold
- Michigan (Lansing): Removed from Potter Park Zoo
- Ohio (Akron): Original sculpture #2 destroyed
- Oregon (Hillsboro): Removed in 2017 after windstorm damage
- Texas (Texarkana): No longer viewable due to damage
- Vermont (Burlington): Removed from Battery Park in July 2025
Some of these have been replaced with new sculptures by Toth, like in Delaware and Georgia.
Where is the newest Whispering Giant?
The most recent Whispering Giant is sculpture #74 in Vincennes, Indiana, completed in 2009. This sculpture honors Tecumseh and was carved from Black Oak. While Peter Toth had plans for additional sculptures, #74 remains the latest completed work in the Trail of the Whispering Giants.
Can you visit all the Whispering Giants on one road trip?
While technically possible, visiting all 73 Whispering Giants would be an epic cross-country adventure! The sculptures span from Alaska to Florida and Hawaii, covering all 50 states. Most giant hunters focus on regional clusters or add one or two to existing road trips. Use our table above to map out which sculptures are closest to your planned route.
How does Peter Toth decide what each sculpture should look like?
Before carving each Whispering Giant, Peter Toth consults with local Native American tribes and studies the indigenous peoples of that specific region. Each sculpture is a composite representing the physical characteristics, facial features, stories, and histories of the local tribes. He says he studies the log until he can “see the Indian within,” then begins carving to bring that vision to life.
Why are they called “Whispering Giants”?
Peter Wolf Toth named his series the “Trail of the Whispering Giants” as a poetic tribute to Native American voices and stories. The sculptures “whisper” the histories, traditions, and spirits of indigenous peoples across North America – standing as silent witnesses to honor those who faced injustice and to ensure their contributions are never forgotten.
The Hunt Continues!
We’re still on our quest to find as many Whispering Giants as possible during our travels. Every state has at least one, and some lucky states have multiple sculptures to discover. Each one tells a different story about the local Native American tribes and the incredible craftsmanship of Peter Wolf Toth.
Spotted a Whispering Giant during your travels? Drop us a comment below! We love hearing from fellow giant hunters, getting status updates on sculptures we haven’t visited yet, and adding your photos to our ever-growing collection. Whether you stumbled across one by accident or made a special detour to find it, we want to hear your story!
The Trail of the Whispering Giants is more than just a collection of roadside attractions – it’s a cross-country tribute to Native American heritage and a testament to one artist’s 50-year commitment to honoring indigenous peoples. Each sculpture we find adds another chapter to this incredible artistic journey.
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