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Oconto County Attractions

Every season in Oconto County is special. Winter is a snow-covered wonderland busy with snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and ice fishing; in spring there is a rebirth of all the natural beauty of the area; summer is a time to enjoy the parks, lakes and nature preserves; and fall showcases the reds, golds, and rusts intertwined with the deep greens and browns of the forests.

Oconto" means "plentiful with fish" and is a name given to the area by the Indian tribes who once lived there. A great place for nature enthusiasts and anglers alike, Oconto County features 53 lakes with public access, over 340 miles of trout streams, and more than 1000 square miles of recreational opportunities beginning in Green Bay and continuing all the way to the Nicolet National Forest. Everyone will enjoy the rich local history and events of the area as well as the natural beauty of the area. Visitors are invited to join in the fun at the many heritage festivals celebrated during the year. Oconto's largest festival is the annual Copperfest, a countywide party that celebrates more than 2,000 years of history. The many historical sites throughout the area show us one of the oldest parts of Wisconsin. Copper Culture State Park preserves the ancient Indian culture from more than 2,000 years ago… while the restored logging camps and grand Victorian homes pay tribute to the rich logging industry that governed the area for more than 100 years.

So whether you want to get away and enjoy nature or you want to learn about one of the early cornerstones of Wisconsin industry and economy, Oconto and its "History on the Bay" can offer visitors a chance to experience it all in one county.
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Museums & Historical Sites

Beyer Home Museum and Annex
917 Park Avenue, Oconto
920-834-6206
Built in 1868 by Cyrus Hart, a prominent businessman in Oconto, the Beyer Home was the first house to be built with brick in Oconto County. The Beyer family purchased the home in the 1880's and had it remodeled in the popular Queen Anne style, including the rare red stained glass that was used in the front door. In 1940, the Beyer Home was acquired by the Oconto Historical Society and renovated into a museum. The main house was refurbished with period antiques and the carriage barn houses antique and electric cars. The museum annex, built in 1957, features exhibits about the logging era, the Indian Copper Culture, and a re-creation of 1890's Main Street Oconto. Special membership programs and educational programs are offered through the Beyer Home in conjunction with the Historical Society. Open daily June 1 through Labor Day, Monday to Saturday 10am - 4pm, and Sunday, 12noon - 4pm.

Lena Museum & Log Cabin
Maple Street, Lena
920-829-5242
The museum features a variety of local history and artifacts including tools and displays of the trapping and logging industry that once dominated the area. The log home was moved to the museum site from a rural farm and gives a realistic look at the rustic living of loggers in the past. Open every Thursday, 1pm-4pm, during the summer.

First Church of Christ Scientist
Corner of Main & Chicago Streets, Oconto
Built in 1886, this small church was the first church ever built for the Christ Scientist denomination. Sunday services are still held in this historical building.

Holt & Balcolm Logging Camp
McCauslin Brook Golf & Country Club, Lakewood
715-276-7561
See, feel and experience the rustic life of loggers from the late 19th century! The Holt & Balcolm Camp is the oldest remaining logging camp in North America built here in 1880. Open Saturdays, 10am - 4pm, during the summer.
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Nature Centers & Parks

Copper Culture State Park
Mill Street, Oconto
920-492-5836
Copper Culture State Park is a preservation of the ancient cultures that once lived in the Oconto area. Scientists believe this park to be a 2,000 year old Native American Burial Ground. The artifacts of this area were found in the 1950's by a curious young boy digging in the dirt, accidentally discovering the remains of a human bone. Later excavations of the area showed it to be a Late Archaic cemetery. The remains of 45 human skeletons have been unearthed; many of the bodies had with them ceremonial offerings of copper, stone, bone or shell. A variety of copper artifacts including axeheads, spear points, harpoons, knives, fishhooks and jewelry also were found at the site. This burial ground contained the oldest discovery in North American of forged copper tools. The park covers 42 acres of land that features picnic areas and a park museum with details of the Copper Culture and the archaeological studies of the area.

Nicolet National Forest
Northern Oconto County Lakewood Ranger Station
715-276-6333
The Nicolet National Forest was named after the French explorer, Jean Nicolet, who is credited with discovering Wisconsin in 1634. Nicolet National Park covers more than 650,000 acres of land in the northern part of Oconto County and includes 1,200 lakes, 400 spring fed ponds and 1,450 miles of trout streams. Hundreds of miles of hiking and backpacking trails traverse the area. Best known to the Oconto area and located near the town of Lakewood are the legendary Cathedral Pines, a stand of white pines and hemlocks that escaped the lumberjacks of the early 1900's. The Cathedral Pines house a great blue heron rookery, with more than 100 nests. Admission to the park is free; however, there is a minimal charge for camping at established campgrounds.

Breakwater Park
Oconto Parks Department 920-834-7732
One of the areas most popular water sports parks, Breakwater Park has fantastic boating and fishing. Fishing enthusiasts will love the abundance of perch, trout, walleye, salmon, and bass. This area is also now stocked with Skamanina…a steelhead noted for its explosive fighting. Newly added picnic shelters and parking facilities make Breakwater Park accessible for all.

Oconto River
Oconto County Parks and Recreation
Department 920-834-6827
The Oconto River is a water lover's paradise with navigable waters the entire length of the river. The northernmost section above Chute Pond features 15 rated rapids that make fantastic and difficult whitewater, and should not be attempted by a novice. The river below Chute Pond continues moderately to its mouth in Green Bay.

Oconto Marsh Refuge
Oconto Parks Department 920-834-7732
Probably the best showcase of surviving Great Lake shoreland marsh, this delicate ecosystem is constantly changing as it attracts birdwatchers, bikers, hikers, and hunters from all over Wisconsin to view this wonderful example of natural Wisconsin.
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Special Things to Do

Copperfest
Festival Grounds, Main Street, Oconto
920-834-2255
Celebrate Oconto's cultural heritage with old fashioned family fun. Activities include lumberjack competitions, a parade, ice cream socials, a craft fair and flea market, truck pulls, fireworks and more. Visitors will get a kick out of the very unusual bed races and historic home tours. Held in the early summer; call for next year's dates.

Michickanee Players Community Theater
408 Park Avenue, Oconto
920-834-2623 or 920-834-4353
The only dinner theater in Northeastern Wisconsin, the Michickanee Theater puts on shows each year…suitable for the entire family. Their productions range from Neil Simon plays to shows written by local playwrights. Known for its community involvement, the Michickanee Players Theater is a great way enjoy great local theater. Call for show schedules and ticket information.
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Points of Interest

Fire Lookout Tower
Nicolet National Forest
Lakewood Rangers Station 715-276-6333
Built in 1934, this fire tower is the last remaining fire tower out of the 19 built to stand in its original location in Nicolet National Forest. Restored in 1994 this tower is on the National Register of Historic Lookouts and is open for visitors to climb and view Nicolet National Forest.

Tours

Historic Oconto
Oconto Visitor Center, 110 Brazeau Avenue, Oconto
920-834-2255
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, see three blocks of Historic Main Street and homes with historical significance in Oconto history, including the homes of Huff Jones, Governor Edward Scofield, R.L.Hall, and J.G. Campbell, all lumber barons. This is a self-guided auto tour. Tour information is available at the Oconto Visitor Center.

Agricultural Heritage Auto Tour
Oconto Visitor Center, 110 Brazeau Avenue, Oconto
920-834-2255
As you travel the country roads of Oconto, you can see the buildings that have made up farmsteads for many generations, when agriculture was Oconto County's chief industry producing milk, cheese, eggs, chicken, beef and pork. The tour takes you by a variety of barns, silos, corncribs, machine sheds, and other farm structures. Contact the Oconto Visitors Center for maps of the tour or read Barns of Wisconsin by Jerry Apps and published by Wisconsin Trails for more information.

Lakewood Auto Tour
Lakewood Ranger Station
715-276-6333
Lakewood Area Chamber of Commerce 715-276-6500
Tour the wonders of the Nicolet National Forest and the Lakewood area including the Cathedral Pines, the Oconto River Seed Orchard, the Bear Fire Trail, the Logging Camp and much more. Each of these spots will show visitors the natural and man-made history of the area. Brochures are available at the Lakewood Ranger Station or the Lakewood Area Chamber of Commerce.
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