Ogema, WI: Things to Do, Timm’s Hill & Local Guide

Timm’s Hill: Wisconsin’s Highest Point

At 1,951.5 feet above sea level, Timm’s Hill is the highest natural point in Wisconsin. It sits inside Timm’s Hill County Park, a few miles east of Ogema, and it draws hikers, photographers, and anyone who wants to say they stood on top of the state. The hill is part of the Timm’s Hill Moraine — a ridge of rock and gravel deposited by the Laurentide Ice Sheet roughly 12,000 years ago. When the glaciers retreated, they scraped most of Wisconsin flat. Here, they left the land rising and falling, which is why Price County has the lakes, rivers, and fishing that draw people north.

The Observation Tower

The wooden observation tower at the summit was rebuilt in 2024 after the previous structure aged beyond safe use. The new tower is sturdy, has a proper landing at the top, and can handle the wind — which you will feel at 1,951 feet. On a clear day, the 360-degree view stretches across half of Price County. You can see the Flambeau River corridor, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and the glint of Spirit Lake to the northwest. Bring a windbreaker even on warm days.

The Hike

Two ways to the top. The easy way: drive to the upper parking lot, walk 200 feet to the tower, take a photo, leave. You’ve technically stood on the highest point in Wisconsin, but you missed the point. The better way: park at the lower lot and take the Timm’s Hill National Recreation Trail — a 1.8-mile loop that winds through old-growth hemlock, crosses a wooden bridge over a cascading creek, and gains roughly 300 feet of elevation before reaching the summit. The trail is well-maintained, well-marked, and usually quiet. Most mornings, you’ll have it to yourself.

What to Know Before You Go

• Parking: Free. Two lots — lower lot for the trail, upper lot for the tower.
• Time: 45 minutes to summit from the lower lot at a casual pace. 90 minutes for the full loop.
• Difficulty: Moderate. The 300-foot gain is steady, not steep. Anyone in reasonable shape can handle it.
• Best time: May through October. Fall colors in late September are worth the drive alone.
• Dogs: Allowed on leash.
• Hours: Open year-round. The tower may be closed in icy conditions.
• Fees: None. No reservation required.

Things to Do Near Ogema

Hike Timm’s Hill County Park

Already covered above, but it bears repeating: this is the main attraction. Wisconsin’s highest point, observation tower, hiking trail, county park with picnic areas. Free. Open year-round. If you do one thing in Ogema, do this.

Ride the ATV and Snowmobile Trails

Ogema, Wisconsin sits at the crossroads of Price County’s extensive ATV and snowmobile trail system. The Timm’s Hill area connects to miles of groomed trails that wind through county forest land. In winter, the same trails become snowmobile routes. Trail passes are required for both ATVs and snowmobiles — available online through the Wisconsin DNR or at local vendors. Spring and fall are the best seasons: fewer bugs, cooler temps, and the trails are in good shape.

Hunt Ruffed Grouse and Whitetail

Price County is ruffed grouse country, and the hills and young-growth forest around Ogema produce some of the best bird hunting in the Midwest. Whitetail deer hunting is also strong here. Public land is available through Price County Forest and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Check Wisconsin DNR regulations for seasons, zones, and license requirements before you go.

Fish the Lakes

Ogema is surrounded by lakes. Spirit Lake, just northwest of town, offers walleye, northern pike, and panfish. Solo Flowage, 10 minutes east of Timm’s Hill, has a quiet DNR boat launch and a shoreline that feels like it belongs in the Boundary Waters. Further out, the Price County lake system offers musky, bass, crappie, and some of the best ice fishing in the state. Spring crappie runs and fall musky season are the peaks.

Where to Eat Near Ogema

Ogema may be small, but it has a couple of genuinely good spots to eat right in town — and a short drive north to Prentice opens up another option.

For a full list of area dining, see our Price County dining and lodging guide.

Where to Stay Near Ogema

There are no hotels in Ogema itself. The closest lodging is in the cabins and resorts that dot the lakes and forests around Timm’s Hill.

Ogema History: From Ojibwe Land to Lumber Town

The Ojibwe and the Name

Before European settlement, this land was Ojibwe (Chippewa) territory. The name “Ogema” comes from the Ojibwe word for “chief” or “leader” — the same root as the word “ogimaa.” The name fits. Ogema sits at the geographic top of Wisconsin, and the Ojibwe who lived here understood the significance of this high country long before surveyors measured it.

The Railroad and the Logging Boom

The Town of Ogema was established in 1876, the same year the Wisconsin Central Railroad pushed its tracks through southern Price County. Like every community along the line, Ogema existed because of timber. White pine was the prize — massive old-growth stands that loggers cut and floated down the Flambeau River to mills downstream. At its peak, the area around Ogema was a busy logging hub with camps, rail sidings, and the din of sawmills.

The Night the Coach Burned

Ogema has one of the more mysterious stories in Price County history. In the early morning hours, a fire consumed the Coach Bar — a longtime gathering spot in the community. The circumstances surrounding the fire raised questions that were never fully answered. We investigated the story in our piece “The Night the Coach Burned: Questions That Still Linger in Ogema.” It’s worth a read if you want to understand the complicated relationship between a small town and the places that hold its memories.

Swedish Heritage

After the timber was cut, Swedish immigrants settled the cleared land. They farmed, they built churches, and they brought traditions that still show up in community events and local architecture. The Swedish heritage of Ogema is one of the strongest in Price County — a reflection of the late-19th-century immigration wave that shaped much of northern Wisconsin.

Ogema Today

The population has declined from its peak — roughly 713 people as of 2024, down from over 880 in 2000. But the community is still here. In 2026, Ogema celebrates its sesquicentennial — 150 years — with events planned starting August 9. The Christmas Tree Festival in September is a local tradition worth catching. And the proximity to Timm’s Hill continues to put Ogema on the map for hikers and outdoor travelers who want something quieter than the Dells or Door County.

Getting to Ogema

Ogema, WI sits on Highway 13 in southern Price County, roughly halfway between Prentice and Phillips. It’s not on the interstate — and that’s part of the appeal.

To reach Timm’s Hill County Park from Ogema, take County Road H east for approximately 6 miles, then turn right on Timm’s Hill Road. The park entrance is well-marked. GPS coordinates: N45°08.950′, W090°18.450′. Search “Timm’s Hill County Park” in your maps app and it will get you there.

Ogema, WI at a Glance