It is a part of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe, and lies about 16 km southwest of Assen.
[3] In 1614, a large region of raised bog was bought by a group of Amsterdam merchant lead to Adriaan Pauw to excavate the peat.
[5] The Zendstation Smilde is located in Hoogersmilde, it partially collapsed after a fire on 15 July 2011.
[6] The Blauwe Meer, an excavation lake, is situated south of Hoogersmilde.
[7] There are two primary schools, De Vaart and Pieter van Thuyl.