Getting Around Price County: Practical Details

Road Conditions by Season

Price County’s road network is built for logging trucks, not commuters. That means wide shoulders on most state highways but limited passing zones, frequent frost heaves in spring, and long stretches with no cell service. Here’s what to expect by season:

• Winter (December–March): Highways 8, 13, and 70 are plowed regularly. Town roads may not see a plow until after storms pass. Black ice forms on bridge decks and shaded curves. Check 511wi.gov for real-time conditions. Allow 50% more travel time than your GPS estimates.
• Spring (April–May): Frost heaves and potholes are worst in April. Weight restrictions on town roads (posted limits) may affect delivery vehicles. Some gravel roads are impassable during spring thaw.
• Summer (June–September): Construction season. Expect lane closures on US 8 and WI 13 for resurfacing projects. ATV traffic on road shoulders is legal in Price County and common on weekends.
• Fall (October–November): Peak deer collision season. Dawn and dusk are highest risk. Hunters in orange are common along road shoulders. Wet leaves on pavement create skid hazards.

Public Transportation

Price County has no public transit system. There are no bus routes, no scheduled shuttle services, and no rideshare coverage outside of Phillips during limited hours. Price County Transit provides limited demand-response service for seniors and people with disabilities, operating weekdays by appointment only. Call (715) 339-4250 to schedule a ride.

For longer trips, Lamers Bus Lines runs a Milwaukee-to-Hurley route that stops in Wausau, but the nearest boarding point is 50+ miles south. Most residents drive to Rhinelander, Wausau, or Minneapolis for air travel.

Biking and Walking

There are no dedicated bike lanes in Price County. Road shoulders on state highways (US 8, WI 13, WI 70, WI 111) range from 2 to 6 feet. The Ahnapee State Trail is not in Price County (it’s in Door/Kewaunee counties). For road biking, WI 111 south of Prentice and County Road M along the Flambeau River offer scenic but lightly trafficked routes. Always ride with lights and high-visibility gear — drivers here are not accustomed to cyclists.

Walking within village limits (Phillips, Park Falls, Prentice, Catawba) is straightforward on sidewalks. Between communities, there are no shoulder paths or rail trails connecting the towns.

Emergency Services

If you break down or have a medical emergency in Price County, response times vary dramatically. Within Phillips and Park Falls, ambulance response averages 5–8 minutes. In rural areas, response can take 20–30 minutes. Cell service gaps along the Flambeau River and in the county forests mean you should not rely on your phone for navigation or emergency calls. Download offline maps before heading into remote areas.

The Aspirus Phillips Hospital emergency room is the only ER in the county. The nearest Level II trauma center is Ministry Saint Joseph’s in Marshfield (75 miles) or Aspirus Wausau Hospital (65 miles).

Related: Fishing in Price County • ATV Trail Guide • Cabin Rentals • Free Camping Guide • Economy & Industries