Oconto County

Oconto County is one of Wisconsin's largest counties, and it earns that footprint. From the shores of the Bay of Green Bay in the south to the deep pine corridors of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in the north, the county spans three distinct landscapes — Historic Bay Shores, the Oconto River Valley, and true Northwoods — each with its own character and its own reasons to come back. Less highway. More adventure. Here, 500 miles of interconnected ATV and snowmobile trails disappear into the trees, walleye run the Bay at first light, and a 100-foot fire tower puts the whole forest beneath your feet. You don't have to drive all day to find the Northwoods — Oconto County is less than a full tank of gas from Green Bay and the Fox Cities, and a long way from ordinary. Come for a weekend. Stay longer than you planned.

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Spring: The Season Opens

Spring arrives early on the Bay of Green Bay, and for anglers, that's reason enough to make the drive. Oconto County is known across the region for some of the finest walleye fishing in Wisconsin, and the Bay is the centerpiece. As ice breaks up and water temperatures rise, walleye move shallow and the bite turns on. Local outfitters and guide services offer everything from boat rentals to full guided trips on the Bay and across the county's 378 inland lakes. Spring is also prime time for the Oconto River, where smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye are common catches.

On land, spring means the trails start to open. The ATV/UTV season gets underway (weather permitting) the last Saturday in April, putting 500 miles of fully interconnected trail back in play. Six local clubs maintain the system, which runs through the Nicolet National Forest and connects to neighboring counties — and all the way to Michigan for those looking to string together a longer ride.

Up in the Nicolet, the Mountain Fire Lookout Tower reopens May 1st. Built in 1935 by the Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps, it's one of the only fire towers in Wisconsin open for the public to climb — 132 steps up to a 100-foot cab with a panoramic view of the surrounding forest stretching in every direction. On a clear day, you can see into Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The tower is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the National Historic Lookout Register. Open daily May 1 through November 1, 8 a.m. to sunset.

Summer: Water, Trails & Open Sky

Summer in Oconto County means beaches, boats, and big miles on the trail. The county has no shortage of places to get on the water — and the variety is hard to match.

City Park in the town of Oconto is one of Wisconsin's most underrated lakefront parks: 24 acres, 700 feet of sandy Bay of Green Bay frontage, pavilions, volleyball, fire pits, and campsites. The fishing pier puts you right on some of the best walleye water in the state. Head north into the Nicolet and you'll find Boot Lake, Boulder Lake, and Bass Lake — clear, forest-rimmed water perfect for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Chute Pond County Park, a 167-acre park on a historic 418-acre lake, is a summer hub with a beach, hiking trails, boat launches, and campground sites designated specifically for ATV/UTV riders.

The ATV/UTV trail system is in full swing through national forest, county forest, and along river corridors — it's easy to spend multiple days without retracing a mile. Stage at one of several county trailheads and ride into communities like Lakewood, Townsend, Mountain, and Gillett for fuel and a meal.

Fall: Color, Trails & Tower Views

If there's a single best argument for visiting Oconto County in the fall, climb the Mountain Fire Lookout Tower in October and look down. The Nicolet National Forest below erupts in color — a tapestry of hardwoods and pine that stretches to the horizon in every direction. It's the highest publicly accessible viewpoint in northeastern Wisconsin, and fall may be its finest hour.

The ATV/UTV season runs through the first Sunday in November, and fall is some of the best riding of the year. Cooler temperatures, less dust, and the forest turning color around every bend — it's hard to beat. The trail system connects communities and campgrounds, so a fall riding trip pairs naturally with a night or two in a cabin along the route.

Hikers and nature seekers will find Quartz Hill a worthy stop. Located in the Nicolet near Mountain, the short but steep trail rewards the climb with a scenic overlook of the surrounding forest. Look closely at the boulders along the way — many are inlaid with quartz crystal. Less than half a mile, but take your time.

Fishing on the Bay and on inland lakes continues strong into fall, with walleye, muskie, bass, and northern pike all active before ice sets in. The Oconto River remains a reliable fall destination for smallmouth bass. And the county's supper clubs, taverns, and trail-side stops are at their most welcoming in the fall — warm up after a long ride with a Friday fish fry or a Saturday prime rib and an old fashioned. That's the Northwoods way.

Winter: Groomed Trails & Deep Woods

When snow flies, Oconto County shifts into a different gear. The county's snowmobile trail system covers over 400 miles of groomed corridors maintained by nine dedicated clubs, connecting communities across the county and linking to neighboring trail networks. Riders can pull up to supper clubs, gas stations, and taverns right from the trail — load-in early, spend the day in the woods, and end it at a table with good food and cold drinks.

The Lakewood Cross-Country Ski Trails are regarded as some of the best in the state — groomed often, free to access, and ranging from beginner to expert terrain for both classic and skate skiing. Snowshoers can explore Cathedral Pines, one of Wisconsin's rare remaining old-growth forests, beneath a towering canopy of centuries-old pines. Rentals are available locally at Lakewood Ski & Sport.

The Paul Bunyan Ski Hill in Lakewood offers downhill skiing and tubing, making winter in Oconto County approachable for every skill level and every age. And for ice anglers, the county's lakes turn into a second season entirely — shanties dot the ice from December through February, with walleye, perch, and panfish as the primary targets.