ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — What began as a sunny Saturday outing for families hoping to catch one last glimpse of towering wooden trolls turned into hours-long waits along Brevard Road, as record crowds clogged traffic near the North Carolina Arboretum.

Cars inched forward on N.C. 191 near Fore Road throughout the afternoon, with some visitors reporting waits of up to three hours as they tried to reach the popular winter exhibit, “Trolls: A Field Study.”

The exhibit, which debuted Nov. 15, features 12 large-scale troll installations scattered throughout the arboretum’s trails. Since opening, it has drawn locals and tourists eager to experience the intricate craftsmanship, whimsical storytelling and immersive “field study” theme woven through the wooded landscape.

But the exhibit’s final days, combined with mild weather, created a surge of visitors that overwhelmed traffic access to the arboretum Saturday.

In a social media post, arboretum officials said they made the “difficult decision” to close the entrance “until further notice” because of uncommonly heavy traffic and concerns for the safety of guests and those waiting to enter. Officials said they would provide updates as more information becomes available.

According to traffic reports, congestion was first noted around 2:12 p.m. Saturday along N.C. 191 (Brevard Road) near Fore Road in the Avery Creek area. The expected impact to traffic was listed as medium, with delays anticipated through at least 4:12 p.m.

Frustrated visitors shared their experiences online. One commenter said she waited three hours on Brevard Road before deciding to head back home to Salisbury. Others described similar backups.

“Beautiful day + Dambo Trolls last days = a very busy Arb!” another visitor wrote.

Arboretum officials have encouraged guests to check for updates before traveling and to plan for increased traffic as the exhibit comes to a close.