8 Things to Do in Spirit WI Best Hiking and ATV Trails

8 Things to Do in Spirit WI (Best Hiking and ATV Trails)

Last fall, a buddy of mine called from a gravel lot somewhere east of Ogema. “I found it,” he said. “The quietest trailhead in Price County. I’ve been riding for two hours and haven’t seen another person.” He was parked at the Spirit River crossing, half a mile from the Spirit town line, surrounded by Chequamegon National Forest on three sides. No cell service. No trailhead sign. Just a path heading north into the woods.

That’s Spirit, Wisconsin in a nutshell. Population 273, covering 41 square miles of rolling terrain in southeastern Price County, and almost completely ignored by the tourism guides. We’ve spent the last two years exploring every trail, lake, and forest road in this township. Here’s what we found.

1. Ride the Chequamegon National Forest ATV Trails

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers more than 1.5 million acres across northern Wisconsin, and the Chequamegon side alone spans about 858,400 acres across Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties. The Park Falls Ranger District manages the trails closest to Spirit, and the forest service maintains miles of OHV routes through this section. A permit is required for ATV riding on national forest land.

The trails near Spirit wind through mixed hardwood and pine stands, with occasional crossings over creeks that feed the Spirit River. What makes these trails different from the county forest roads closer to Phillips is the terrain. Spirit sits at roughly 1,647 feet elevation, some of the highest ground in Price County. Means more climbs, more descents, and more views than you’ll find on the flatter routes to the north.

The best access point is from the town road network connecting Spirit to Ogema. You can stage at the intersection of Spirit Lake Road and Highway 86, ride south into the national forest, and connect to the broader Price County trail system. About 450 miles of funded ATV routes run through Price County, and the Spirit area gives you access to the least-crowded section of that network.

See also: our complete ATV trail guide for staging areas, gas stops, and trail condition updates across Price County.

2. Hike the Timms Hill Trail and Ice Age Trail Connector

The North Country Trail runs 4,800 miles from North Dakota to Vermont, with 215 miles in Wisconsin. But it passes through the northern part of the state, through Bayfield County and the Rainbow Lake and Porcupine Lake Wilderness areas, about an hour north of Spirit. For hiking you can actually reach from Spirit, the Timms Hill Trail is your best bet.

The Timms Hill Trail is a 10-mile path that connects Timms Hill County Park to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a 1,200-mile trail that traces the edge of Wisconsin’s glacial terrain. The connector trail winds through national forest land and Price County forest, crossing creeks and rolling through mixed hardwood and pine stands. You can hike a section as an out-and-back or arrange a shuttle for the full 10 miles.

For a shorter hike, park at Timms Hill County Park and walk the loop trail to the observation tower at the summit. It’s less than a mile to the top, rated easy to moderate, and the tower gives you a view across the Chequamegon National Forest canopy. On a clear day you can see Rib Mountain, 44 miles to the southeast. The trail is blazed but lightly signed in sections, so carry a map or download the GPS track from the Ice Age Trail Alliance website.

The Chequamegon National Forest lands directly south and east of Spirit also have unofficial hiking routes on old logging roads and forest service paths. These aren’t marked trailheads with parking lots and kiosks. They’re paths that locals use for grouse hunting, berry picking, and quiet walks. Ask at the Park Falls Ranger District office for current conditions and recommendations.

See also: our Price County hiking trails guide for difficulty ratings and trailhead directions across the county.

3. Fish Spirit Lake for Muskellunge and Walleye

Spirit Lake is a 137-acre lake at the headwaters of the Spirit River, sitting at 1,601 feet elevation. The Wisconsin DNR lists it as containing muskellunge, panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. It’s contiguous with North Spirit Lake, connected by a narrow channel. Average depth is only 6 feet, with a maximum depth of 9 feet.

That shallow profile makes Spirit Lake a warm-water fishery that peaks early. By late May, the walleye are active along the weed edges, and the muskie bite picks up in June when the water hits the mid-60s. The south shore has the best structure: a weed line that drops from 4 feet to 7 feet, running about 200 yards parallel to shore. Cast bucktails along that edge at dawn and you’ll get follows.

The boat landing on Spirit Lake Road has parking for about 8 vehicles. There’s no beach, no restrooms, and no electric motor restrictions, but the lake has a slow-no-wake zone on the channel between Spirit and North Spirit Lake. The Spirit Lakes Improvement Association, formed in 1982, monitors water quality. Visibility is good for a shallow lake, thanks to the spring-fed source.

See also: our local’s guide to Price County fishing spots for more lakes, tactics, and what’s biting right now.

4. Paddle the Spirit River from Spirit Lake to the Flowage

The Spirit River starts at Spirit Lake and flows nearly west to east through Price County and into Lincoln County, where it joins the Wisconsin River. The river has a tributary system that includes Squaw Creek on the left and Coffee Creek on the right. About a mile from its mouth, the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company maintains a dam that creates the Spirit River Flowage.

The upper stretch, from Spirit Lake downstream about 5 miles, is a quiet water paddle through national forest land. The current is gentle, the water is clear, and the banks are lined with mixed hardwoods. You’ll see beaver lodges, kingfishers, and if you’re quiet, maybe a bald eagle. The river is narrow (15 to 30 feet wide in most places) and rarely deeper than 3 feet. A kayak or canoe works. A stand-up paddleboard does not.

Spirit Falls is a small waterfall on the river, located on private land but visible from the road crossing. It’s not a destination waterfall like Big Manitou at Pattison State Park, but it’s a nice stop if you’re already in the area. The Spirit River Flowage is a wider, slower section that holds bass and panfish. You can put in at the Spirit Lake boat landing and take out at the flowage access, or paddle the flowage itself as a short out-and-back.

5. Hunt the Chequamegon National Forest Lands Near Spirit

Spirit sits in the middle of some of the best public hunting ground in northern Wisconsin. The Chequamegon National Forest lands surrounding the township are open to hunting with minimal restrictions. Whitetail deer, black bear, ruffed grouse, and wild turkey are the primary game species in this area.

Price County consistently ranks among the top Wisconsin counties for deer harvest. The terrain around Spirit is a mix of regenerating clearcuts, mature hardwood stands, and cedar swamps. Diversity holds deer throughout the season. The national forest lands south of Spirit, toward the Timms Hill area, have had recent timber sales that created excellent browse habitat. Grouse hunting peaks in October when the young birds disperse, and the aspen stands along the forest service roads are productive.

If you’re hunting bear, the Chequamegon section has one of the highest bear densities in the state. The baiting season starts in mid-August, and tags are available through the DNR drawing system. Non-resident tags are limited but obtainable. Check the current DNR regulations for zone assignments and season dates before you plan your trip.

6. Camp at Spirit Lake Campground

Spirit Lake Campground is a small, rustic camping option listed on TravelWisconsin.com. It’s not a state park campground with full hookups and a camp store. It’s the kind of place where you pull in, find a flat spot, and set up your tent among the pines. The campground has basic amenities and direct access to Spirit Lake for fishing and paddling.

The advantage of camping here is location. You’re within 10 minutes of the Chequamegon National Forest trail system, 15 minutes from Timms Hill (the highest point in Wisconsin at 1,951 feet), and 20 minutes from the Timms Hill Trail connector to the Ice Age Trail. It’s a base camp for everything else on this list.

The campground fills up on summer weekends, especially during hunting season and the ATV riding months of May through October. We recommend calling ahead. If it’s full, there are dispersed camping options on national forest land within a few miles. Dispersed camping is free but comes with no amenities. Pack out everything you pack in.

7. Swim at the Spirit Lake Sandbar

Spirit Lake has a natural sandbar that forms on the east shore in late June when water levels drop. Swim out about 40 yards from the boat landing and you’ll find chest-deep water on a sand bottom, surrounded by wild shoreline. No cabins on that section, no motors within the slow-no-wake zone, and almost no people on weekdays.

The water quality at Spirit Lake is good for a shallow lake. It’s spring-fed, and the Spirit Lakes Improvement Association has been monitoring and improving water quality since 1982. The maximum depth is only 9 feet, so the water warms fast. By mid-July, surface temps hit the mid-70s. Makes it comfortable for swimming but less ideal for trout. The DNR monitors Wisconsin beach conditions after heavy rain. Check their website before you swim following a storm.

There’s no beach, no bathroom, and no trash cans at the boat landing. Pack out what you pack in. Parking is limited to about 8 cars. On a Tuesday in July, you might be sharing the water with two other families. On a Saturday, arrive before 10 AM to claim a spot.

See also: our guide to 5 secret swimming holes in Price County for more quiet-water spots.

8. Explore Timms Hill County Park

Timms Hill is the highest natural point in Wisconsin at 1,951 feet above sea level. It’s located in the Town of Hill, about 5 miles east of Spirit via Highway 86. The county park has an observation tower at the summit, picnic areas, and a short hiking trail that loops through the forest to the top.

The view from the tower spans the Chequamegon National Forest canopy in every direction. On a clear day, you can see Rib Mountain, 44 miles to the southeast. The trail to the top is less than a mile and rated easy to moderate. The park also has a small lake, Bass Lake, with a fishing pier and a carry-in boat access.

Timms Hill connects to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail via the 10-mile Timms Hill Trail. If you want to turn a quick summit visit into a half-day hike, park at Timms Hill and walk the connector trail north into the national forest. The terrain is rolling, with several creek crossings and a mix of hardwood and pine stands. We’ve seen grouse, deer, and a porcupine on this segment. The trail is blazed but not heavily signed, so carry a map.

Planning Your Trip to Spirit

Spirit is about 30 miles southeast of Phillips via Highway 86 and Highway 13, or about 9 miles west of Ogema via Highway 86. The nearest gas stations are in Ogema and Prentice. There are no restaurants or bars in Spirit itself. You’ll need to drive to Ogema (10 minutes), Phillips (35 minutes), or Prentice (20 minutes) for food.

For lodging, Spirit Lake Campground is your only in-town option. Cabins and resorts are available on nearby lakes in Ogema and Prentice. If you want a full weekend itinerary that combines Spirit with other Price County destinations, check our 48-hour Northwoods weekend guide.

For food and drinks after a day on the trails, Phillips is your best bet. The bar scene in Phillips runs from classic supper clubs to dive bars with Friday fish fry. Check out our Phillips bar guide on borrachos.bar for the full rundown on where to eat, drink, and recover after a long day in the woods.

See also: our weekend weather preview

When to Visit Spirit

May through October is prime season. ATV trails open May 1 (weather permitting) and close in late October. Hiking is best from June through October, when the trails have dried out and the bug pressure drops. Fishing peaks in late May (walleye) and June (muskie). Hunting seasons run from September (bear) through January (late archery deer). Snowmobile and winter ATV trails open after the ground freezes, typically mid-December.

The sweet spot is mid September through mid-October. The bugs are gone, the leaves are turning, the trails are firm, and the grouse hunting is peaking. We’ve been out there in October when the maples are blazing red and the only sound is a grouse flushing 30 yards ahead. That’s the Spirit we keep going back to.

Last updated: June 30, 2026. Trail conditions and access points change. Always check current conditions with the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (715-362-1300) before heading out.