Oconto County: Where Water Meets Wilderness — The Economic Value of a Loyal Visitor Base

Oconto County offers a rare combination of water access and trail networks that attract outdoor enthusiasts across all seasons. With 379 lakes, 1,000-plus miles of streams, over 100 miles of Green Bay shoreline and more than 500 miles of ATV/UTV trails connecting communities, anglers, trail riders, paddlers and nature seekers find their ideal outdoor playground in Oconto County.

Understanding who visits Oconto County and how they spend their time and money reveals important patterns about the area’s outdoor recreation economy. This data suggests that the county’s greatest asset may not be first-time visitors discovering the region, but rather, the deeply loyal base of repeat guests. These findings point to opportunities for strategic investment in the amenities and infrastructure that serve this established visitor community while also attracting new enthusiasts to experience what keeps people coming back.

The patterns emerging from visitor behavior indicate that fishing and motorized trail recreation drive the highest economic returns, with water-based activities generating substantial per-visit spending. This information can help guide future decisions about how communities leverage outdoor recreation for economic development.

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