Timm’s Hill is a county park and home to the highest point in Wisconsin. In addition to the observation at the high point, this charming county park has several miles of beautiful trails, connections to another 10 miles of trails, and two lakes. According to the locals, this park’s busiest time is during the peak fall colors, and it is easy to see why. The observation tower is surrounded by hardwoods and offers absolutely beautiful autumn views. It is also a beautiful trail all year round, with hiking in the summer and skiing or snowshoeing during the winter.
The Observation Tower
The elevation at Timm’s Hill is 1,951 feet, and there is an observation tower at the top to give you an amazing view of the surrounding areas. The observation tower is only about 300 feet from the main parking area. However, the trail is all uphill. There are several benches along the way if you need to stop and take a rest. It is approximately 50 feet tall. The railings are sturdy and have chainlink fencing making sure you can’t slip through. There is also an older metal radio tower which raises approximately 70 feet for those daring enough to climb it. The ladder doesn’t extend all the way to the ground, so I imagine climbing it is frowned upon.
Playground, Picnic, and Parking Area
The gate at Timm’s Hill is open from 7:30am-dusk May through October, allowing access to the main parking area. Outside those months, you can park along the road for access to the park, which makes the hike to the tower longer. At this main parking lot, there is a playground. It has several slides, a ship-like steering wheel, and some monkey bars. There are also a couple of slides. There is a large covered picnic area as well as some pit toilets. The drive to this parking area is not accessible in the winter.
Hiking Timm’s Hill and the Surrounding Area
There are a smattering of trails in the park that are all less than 1.5 miles and offer views of the surrounding woods, the two lakes in the park, and access to the observation tower. If you want something longer, you could do multiple loop trails or check out Timm’s Hill Trail. It is a 10-mile trail connecting the Ice Age Trail to Timm’s Hill county park. This trail is open all year round for non-motorized traffic. In the summer you can hike or bike. In the winter, the trail is groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoes.
Water Access
There is a small sandy area to wade in or enjoy a spectacular view on Timm’s Lake Trail. The beach area is on the North side of Bass Lake near the parking area. Also, on Bass Lake is a fishing pier. There is another small fishing pier with a couple of benches on Bass Lake right in front of the Hill of Beans.
Driving to Timm’s Hill
With the ever-improving GPS mapping systems, I rarely write directions on how to get places, but I do have to note the roads on the way to Timm’s Hill are gorgeous! You have to take county highway RR, a Rustic Road, to get there. It is a narrow two-lane road that winds through the rolling hills with overarching trees and beautiful scenery around every bend. Be cautious if you plan to take a trailer or larger vehicle. The park road itself is one way and one lane. There aren’t signs with a limit to vehicle length, but unless you are a very confident driver, I wouldn’t take an RV or something with a trailer into this park.
Who is Timm?
The name of Timm’s Hill comes from Timothy Gahan. He owned a logging camp on the land before Price County bought the land, transitioning it into Timm’s Hill County Park in 1983.
Dogs
Dogs are welcomed at the park, but a sign at the observation tower asks dogs to stay off. They ask your dog to remain on a leash at all times.
Video of the Tower and More Information
Check out more details on the hiking trail, such as gradient, at All Trails or Summit Post. This video done by Rooftops of America gives some nice history of the park as well as some views of the hikes.
Nearby Food
There is one absolutely solid choice for food near this park. Talk to ANY of the locals, and they will all tell you to stop at Hill of Beans! Its seating area overlooks bass lake, which is surrounded by the park, and the parking area is only a mile from the parking area at the observation tower. They serve breakfast, lunch, and Friday night dinners in a homey atmosphere. You will not be disappointed. If you appreciate good local wine, check out Brigadoon Winery, which is only 20 minutes away. They have a small gift store and offer tastings for a small fee.
Nearby Activities
If you are a fan of wacky roadside attractions, check out the Wisconsin Concrete Park. It is a free outdoor museum featuring Fred Smith’s artwork and is half an hour North of Timm’s Hill. If you’d like more short hikes, check out Gerstberger Pines Nature Trail. It is just under a mile with informative signs. You can find more information on that trail and many other natural attractions on Rib Lake’s Community Website. About 40 minutes south is Huey’s Hideaway Children’s Museum.
The closest Wisconsin State Park is Council Grounds, about an hour southeast. If you drive just over an hour southeast, you can get to Rib Mountain State Park, which offers more spectacular views. An hour and a half southwest is Brunet Island State Park. Just under two hours north is Copper Falls State Park.
In Conclusion…
This small county park is charming and beautiful. There are short hikes with great views of the landscape as well as small lakes. They have a nice playground, some picnic tables, and an impressive network of connecting trails. Did I miss your favorite part of this park? Comment below.
