The western edge of Oconto County borders the Nicolet National Forest, a 1.5-million-acre national forest that covers much of northeastern Wisconsin. The forest is the source of the county's river systems and the heart of its outdoor recreation economy. Hundreds of lakes with public access, more than 300 miles of trout streams, hiking trails, and remote campsites are all accessible within a short drive from the county seat.
The forest is best known for musky and walleye fishing on its lakes, and for the Nicolet Scenic Drive that loops through the interior. In autumn the hardwood forests turn vivid red and orange, and the county's county roads become genuinely scenic. In winter the forest trails convert to snowmobile and cross-country ski routes. The forest visitor centre in Rhinelander (about an hour's drive from Oconto) has maps and current trail conditions.