Let’s be honest: March and April in northern Wisconsin are not always postcard season. The snow is doing that thing where it can’t decide if it wants to leave. The trails are soft. There may be a suspicious amount of mud everywhere.
And honestly? That’s exactly when Oconto County shines. The crowds are gone, the rivers are rushing, and the people who visit during mud season tend to be exactly the kind of people who get the most out of being here.
So we wrote you a guide — one that meets you where you are. Whether you rolled up in your worst boots ready for anything, or you need someone to point you toward a warm bar stool and a Bloody Mary stat, we’ve got you covered.
Pick your vibe, find your category, go have a great time.
🥾 Bring Your Worst Boots
You didn’t drive up here to stay inside. Mud washes off. Let’s go.
Best for: Hikers, anglers, ATV riders, and anyone who finds puddles more fun than annoying.
Spring in Oconto County is genuinely good news for outdoor adventurers — you just have to know where to look. Snowmelt means rivers and flowages are running high and fast. The woods are quiet and uncrowded. And the light on a March afternoon in the Nicolet National Forest hits different when there’s no one else around.
Hiking & Nature Trails
Mud season is peak shoulder-season hiking — the trails aren’t groomed for winter anymore, but summer crowds are nowhere near. Stick to hardpack and gravel surface trails where you can, and always check our
Trail Reports page before heading out — some trails close during mud season to protect the surface, and knowing before you go saves everyone grief.
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, which covers a big swath of northern Oconto County, has scenic drives and accessible viewpoints that hold up beautifully in spring — snowmelt waterfalls, rushing creeks, and the first green starting to push through the forest floor. It’s quiet, it’s stunning, and it’s all yours.
Worth noting: spring is also prime migratory bird season in Wisconsin, and Oconto County sits along a major flyway with excellent wetland access along Green Bay and the Peshtigo and Oconto River corridors. Even if birding isn’t your thing, the wildlife activity this time of year is something else. (Stay tuned — we have a dedicated birding guide in the works!)
Fishing
If you fish, you already know: early spring means walleye and steelhead runs on the Oconto River, and the serious anglers are already making their plans. March and April are legitimate draws for this crowd, and Oconto County delivers. Check with local bait and tackle shops for current conditions and what’s hitting — local knowledge is everything this time of year.
ATV/UTV Riding
Oconto County has an extensive trail system, and for riders who don’t mind the extra grip work that comes with spring conditions, this is a season with real appeal. That said, trails open late spring while many town road routes are open all year. Check trail status before you go — some routes have spring closures to prevent ruts and protect the surface for summer.
- Trail Reports — always check before you ride
- ATV/UTV rentals are available if you don’t bring your own
☁️ One Boot In, One Boot Out
You’re flexible. You’ll see how the day goes. Good call.
Best for: Weekend trippers, families, and anyone who wants the option to bail indoors if it starts raining sideways.
This is honestly the sweet spot for mud season. You get outside when it’s nice, you duck inside when it isn’t, and you end the day feeling like you made the most of it regardless.
Scenic Drives & Fire Tower Views
This is an underrated way to experience northern Oconto County in any weather. Our Scenic Heights Tour is mostly car-based with optional short walks, and the views in early spring — before the full leaf cover returns — are genuinely dramatic. The Mountain Fire Lookout Tower (Wisconsin’s only publicly accessible fire tower) is worth the trip when it opens.
The Lakewood Auto Tour is another low-commitment, high-reward option — you’re in your car, you’re moving, and you’re taking in some of the most scenic forest landscape in northeast Wisconsin.
Chute Pond County Park
The water’s not warm enough to swim yet (we know, we know), but Chute Pond in spring is genuinely beautiful — the scenery along the shoreline and surrounding forest is worth the stop, and it’s a great base for a short walk that won’t wreck your shoes. And while you’re in the area, swing by Slippery Rock — Oconto County’s natural waterslide. The water’s a little cold for sliding right now, but it’s worth seeing in any season, and spring runoff makes it a pretty spectacular sight. File both under “worth the drive.”
Supper Clubs & Local Bars
Spring in Wisconsin is peak Bloody Mary energy, and Oconto County has the goods. There’s something deeply right about driving through a misty April day, pulling into a local supper club, and settling in with a drink that comes with more garnishes than seems reasonable.
We’ve already done the legwork for you: check out our Top Bloody Marys guide and our Top Old Fashioneds guide — both were made for exactly this kind of day.
Local Shops & Emerging Spring Hours
A note here: March and April are transition months for a lot of local businesses. Some shops and restaurants run reduced hours before the summer season kicks in, while others are just starting to open back up. Our best advice is to call ahead or check social media before making a specific stop your whole plan. That said, exploring our downtown communities is always a worthwhile wander.
🍺 Boots Off, Order a Round
It is genuinely muddy and possibly raining. You have made the wise choice.
Best for: Anyone who interprets “mud season” as “excuse to do all the indoor stuff.”
You came to Oconto County, the weather had other plans, and now you need things to do that don’t involve being wet. Good news: we have a whole guide for this.
Start With Our Rainy Day Guide
Seriously — Making Memories Indoors: Your Guide to Rainy Day Fun in Oconto County is the most comprehensive indoor resource we’ve put together. It covers bowling, axe throwing, coffee shops, candy stores, wine tasting, live theater, yoga, libraries, and more — organized by activity and with direct links to each business.
We’re not going to reinvent the wheel here. Go read that guide, then come back. We’ll wait.
Coffee, Sweets & Slow Mornings
One of the underappreciated joys of a mud season visit is the pace. There’s no pressure to be on the water by 6am or beat the crowds to the trailhead. Coffee shops across the county — in Oconto, Oconto Falls, Lakewood, Mountain and Suring — are good places to settle in, warm up, and let the morning develop at its own speed. Pair it with a stop at one of the county’s candy shops and you’ve basically designed the perfect low-key road trip morning.
Wine Tasting
Local wineries in the county offer tasting experiences that are warm, welcoming, and perfect for a gray afternoon. Again, call ahead for spring hours — but if you can get in, this is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours and support local makers while you’re at it.
📋 A Few Practical Notes Before You Go
Mud season visitors are our kind of people — adaptable, curious, and not fussy. Here’s what to know:
- Pack layers. March and April in northern Wisconsin can mean 50°F and sunny at noon and 28°F and spitting sleet by 3pm. Plan for both.
- Check the Trail Reports page before any outdoor plans. Some trails close in spring to protect trail surfaces — checking takes two minutes and saves a wasted trip.
- Call businesses ahead. Spring hours are inconsistent across the county as places ramp up for summer. A quick call or check of their Facebook page before driving across the county is always worth it.
- Bring footwear you don’t love. Or love deeply. Either way, accept the mud.
- If you’re extending your stay, browse lodging options here — cabins, campgrounds, and hotels are a great base for a multi-day mud season adventure.
The Case for Coming Now
Here’s the truth about mud season: the people who visit Oconto County in March and April are the ones who come back every summer and fall for years afterward. They find the county without the crowds, without the performance of peak season, and they get to know it in a way that’s a little more real.
The rivers are running. The forests are waking up. The supper clubs are open, the coffee is hot, and the Bloody Marys are exactly as serious as they should be.
Pack your worst boots. We’ll see you out here.