Big Twigs at Lake Malone State Park

Lake Malone State Park had plenty of attractions before the Malone family became permanent residents, but the six oversized newcomers quickly became the park’s biggest attractions and permanent ambassadors. The Malones (aka the Big Twigs) stand up to 17 feet tall and practically beg to be photographed.

Each has a pun-centered name. Seventeen-foot-tall Oakley Malone represents the surrounding oak tree forest; Bobber is an angler at the edge of Lake Malone, and Happy is toasting a marshmallow at his campsite. (Get it? He’s a happy camper.) Net-wielding Annette chases butterflies, Paige turns a book’s pages and Wattson enjoys the glowing lights of fireflies he captured.

The Big Twigs arrived in 2021 and 2022 at the suggestion of the Muhlenberg County Tourism Commission, partly to encourage day-trip visitors to the park, which covers over 300 acres. The park’s namesake lake is more than twice as large — 788 acres — and where anglers cast their lines for largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.  

Brainchild Creative in Sevierville, Tennessee, crafted the six Big Twigs figures along with their relative, Willow Man, who resides at the Anakeesta attraction in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. These larger-than-life, whimsical creatures were built from steel skeletons that were covered in foam and fiberglass skins.

Lake Malone State Park has four hiking trails that stretch over 5 miles. Oakley Malone resides at the head of the Laurel Trail, a 1.5-mile jaunt that is ripe with scenic views and glimpses of the area’s Native American history. 

The park also has 25 standard campsites, 34 primitive campsites, a playground and picnic pavilions, providing a fun weekend of camping with the family. The trails and the Big Twigs are accessible all year, while other facilities are open seasonally from mid-March through the end of October this year. 331 St. Rte. 8001, Dunmor, Kentucky 42339, 270/657-2111, parks.ky.gov