Bala Bog Monster Muskoka

This sculpture hidden on an Ontario trail looks like it's from Stranger Things

The Bala Bog Monster lurks on a hiking trail just two hours from Toronto.

The sculpture, originally known as Koilos, was created by Michael Christian in 2007 for the Burning Man Festival before being moved to the Distillery District. 

bala bog monster

Image Courtesy of @instajamesphotographer/Instagram

Standing 14-feet-tall and weighing in at 2,000 pounds, the massive monster-like figure resided in Toronto until moving to Baxter Island on Lake Muskoka in 2013. 

bala bog monster

Image Courtesy of @yoga_with_andrea/Instagram.

It has now found its forever home in Bala, where you'll find the strange creature hidden along the Cranberry hiking trails at Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery.

It hangs out near the edge of the woods, overlooking the cranberry marshes on the 1.2-kilometre Sandsmen Trail

bala bog monster

Image Courtesy of @rcowdery/Instagram.

The crouching monster with a head covered in outstretched tentacles closely resembles a Demogorgon and looks like it could be straight out of the set of Stranger Things. 

bala bog monster

Image Courtesy of @jporro24/Instagram

Whether you've seen the beloved sci-fi series or not, you'll appreciate the impressive steel structure and work of art. 

Along with the sculpture, you’ll be able to explore the cranberry beds and picturesque marshy landscape found on the nature trail. 

bala bog monster

Image Courtesy of @amandas_unconventional_life/Instagram

The hiking trail is open from spring to first snowfall and just costs $10 per vehicle for day visits. 

Make sure to respect the rules of the area during your visit. Adhere to social distancing measures by visiting with a small group and pick up your trash to leave the area just as beautiful as you found it.

Lead photo by

Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery 


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Travel

Customers just ranked Air Canada dismally out of all airlines in North America

More flights now using Toronto airport's weirdest terminal you may not know about

Pilots land at Toronto airport amid blinding fog in this nail-biting video

40 essential small towns in Ontario you need to visit at least once

Toronto just got a new premium daily bus service to Niagara Falls

Ontario's first-ever lakefront Nordic spa is opening this summer

Niagara Falls ranked the top tourist attraction in Canada

Alex Robertson Park in Ontario is full of enchanting wooden sculptures