5 Hidden Northwoods Destinations That Put Price County on the Map
Everyone knows about Door County. The crowds, the overpriced fudge shops, the two-hour wait for a table. But 200 miles northwest, Price County offers the same natural beauty without the tourist markup. Here are five destinations that locals know and visitors are finally discovering.
1. Timms Hill — Wisconsin’s Highest Point
At 1,951.5 feet, Timms Hill is the highest natural point in Wisconsin. The observation tower gives you a 360-degree view that stretches across four counties on a clear day. The county park has campsites, a swimming beach, and hiking trails that are genuinely quiet — even on a Saturday in July. No entrance fee, no parking hassle, no crowds.
2. The Flambeau River Flowage
This 16,000-acre body of water is what Wisconsin fishing used to be before every lake got discovered. Musky, walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass all thrive here. The flowage has over 100 miles of shoreline, most of it wild and undeveloped. Rent a boat in Phillips or Park Falls, or hire a local guide who actually knows where the fish are.
3. Smith Falls County Park
Price County’s best-kept secret is a 20-foot waterfall tucked into a wooded gorge. Smith Falls isn’t dramatic like Niagara, but that’s the point. You’ll have the viewing platform to yourself most days. The hiking trail to the falls is under a mile and suitable for kids. Pack a lunch and eat at the picnic area by the river — the sound of the falls is better than any playlist.
4. Ripsaw Saloon in Prentice
Every destination list needs a place to eat, and Ripsaw Saloon is the one that ties this whole trip together. It’s a bar in the best Wisconsin tradition — beef tallow fish fry on Fridays, proper brandy Old Fashioneds, and a bartender who knows every regular by name. The burgers are hand-pattied, the cheese curds squeak, and nobody cares if you show up in camo after a day on the river. It’s not a tourist trap. It’s a local institution that happens to welcome visitors.
5. The Tuscobia State Trail
This 74-mile trail stretches from Price County through some of the most remote terrain in Wisconsin. In summer, it’s a gravel biking and hiking path through dense forest. In winter, it becomes a snowmobile corridor connecting Price County to Rusk and Washburn counties. The trail passes through the communities of Prentice, Ogema, and Jump River — each worth a stop for gas, food, and conversation with people who actually live here.
Why Price County?
These aren’t Instagram backdrops. They’re real places where real Wisconsinites spend their weekends. The fishing is better than Door County, the hiking is quieter than the Kettle Moraine, and the bars serve actual food instead of artisanal small plates. Price County works because it hasn’t tried to become a destination — it just is one.
If you want the Wisconsin that your grandparents talk about, it’s still here. You just have to drive north to find it.
Plan your trip at pricecounty.fun and find the best Northwoods food and drinks at borrachos.bar