Otto the Otter: World's Largest Otter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Have you met my significant otter? No? Well let me introduce you! This is Otto the Otter, a giant otter statue who lives at Grotto Park in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Trust me: this roadside attraction is like no otter you will ever see!

This big otter was constructed in 1972 by students at Fergus Falls High School, with the help of local metal artist Steve Jaenisch. Made from a frame of metal rods and covered in concrete and paint, the sculpture was built to commemorate the centennial founding of Fergus Falls. This roadside attraction now serves as a mascot for the town (which is only fitting, as the town is located in Otter Tail County on Otter Tail River). At 15-feet tall and 40-feet wide, this large concrete mammal is certainly the world’s largest otter.

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Want to see my otter half for yourself? He’s overlooks Grotto Lake in Grotto Park (also refereed to as Adams Park) in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

The large otter statue is a fun big animal to take some selfies with, but might be a little too tall to ride. I didn’t even attempt to climb him, but as we were driving away we saw a couple of girls moving a nearby picnic table closer so they could climb on top!

If your next road trip takes you on I-94 in Minnesota, be sure to stop and say hi to Otto the Otter, the Fergus Falls otter statue! The Minnesota roadside attraction takes just a quick 15-minute detour (and you can even stop at a large Canada goose on the way)! You otter stop!

Otto the Otter: World’s Largest Otter FAQ

Where is Otto the Big Otter?

This world’s biggest otter is located off I-94 in Grotto Park on S. Burlington Ave. in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Is Otto an otter?

Otto can be the name of many things, many of which are not otters. But this Otto definitely is a giant otter!

Where is the worlds largest otter?

The Giant River Otter is known to be the world’s largest species of otter (growing up to 6-feet long) and can be found in South America. Otto the Otter is possibly the world’s largest otter statue (at 15-feet tall and 40-feet wide) and is located in Fergus Falls MN.

Otto the Big Otter

Location: Grotto Park, S. Burlington Ave., Fergus Falls, MN
Hours: Always visible, park hours may vary
Cost: Free to See

Pin this Minnesota roadside attraction:

Have you met my significant otter? This is Otto the Otter, a Minnesota roadside attraction who lives at Grotto Park in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Add this big animal to your list of things to do in Minnesota and travel bucket lists. A fun stop on a road trip for travel with kids or adults in winter, fall, summer, or spring!
#MinnesotaRoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttractions #RoadTrip #MinnesotaRoadTrip #MinnesotaBucketList #MinnesotaRoadTripMap #MinnesotaRoadTripIdeas #MinnesotaRoadTripWithKids — Have you met my significant otter? This is Otto the Otter, a Minnesota roadside attraction who lives at Grotto Park in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Add this big animal to your list of things to do in Minnesota and travel bucket lists. A fun stop on a road trip for travel with kids or adults in winter, fall, summer, or spring!

Valerie Bromann

Founder & ROad Trip Expert

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book, she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.