Oconto County is a beautiful place located in Northeastern Wisconsin. I spent a weekend in the Lakewood/Mountain area and we had so much fun! Lakewood is located approximately 3 hours north of Milwaukee and 3h 15m northeast of Madison. The town is a popular getaway destination providing ample ATV trails, gorgeous hiking opportunities, delicious restaurants, and that small town charm. Check out this northern Oconto County travel guide.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
I stayed in my RV for this trip at what easily became my favorite campsite yet. Chute Pond County Park is located in the town of Mountain, about 15 minutes outside of Lakewood. Our campsite was secluded and came with a picnic table, fire pit, and electricity hookup. The campground is right on the water and there is a boat launch and public beach available.
Not only was the campsite clean and scenic, there are tons of hiking trails throughout the park. We spent a few hours each day wandering around so Kona could get some exercise. One of the coolest parts of the park is "Slippery Rock" which is also known as a "natural water park." There were tons of children and adults alike taking turns rushing down the slide. I did it, too, and it was a ton of fun!
GET OUTSIDE
Not many people realize how scenic northern Wisconsin is; this area is a prime example. Although we hiked throughout the campground a lot, we also took some off-site adventures.
Mountain Fire Lookout Tower is located in Mountain, WI. Tucked away within the Nicolet National Forest, the tower was the first in Wisconsin to be on the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places. It's 100 feet tall and the views are worth every step.
Butler Rock is also located in Mountain. The hiking trail is short, yet steep, and leads you to the highest point in Oconto County. The views were breathtaking and I would love to come back during the fall season and experience the vibrant colors.
FOOD & DRINK
In my humble opinion, small towns always have some of the best restaurants. Lakewood is no exception.
We started the morning with a coffee from Northern Perks Coffee Shop. They have an extensive menu of hot and cold coffee, tea, smoothies, and more. They also serve baked goods! The coolest part about this coffee shop is that it doubles as a gift store. While you're waiting for your delicious beverage, you can shop the apparel, home decor, and artisan food items. Don't forget to bring home mom a gift!
We stopped by Braise North for breakfast and oh my goodness - SO good. Their menu changes regularly, so check their Facebook for updates. If you plan to go for dinner, be sure to make a reservation. It's a popular spot! We ordered their Breakfast Naan and a Market Bun: ham, caramelized onion, & cheese in a puff pasty. I also had to get one of their chocolate chip cookies because I saw it in the window and I mean come on... how could you pass up a cookie that looks like that?!
Waubee Lake Lodge provided us a delicious lunch along with lakeside views. We enjoyed our meal on their beautiful, gigantic, covered patio and sipped on a few specialty cocktails. I was thrilled that Kona was able to join us on the patio. The service was fantastic and our meals were delicious. We got their cheese curds - so good! The ranch was creamy and very tasty.
We had dinner at Weatherwood Supper Club located in Mountain. We arrived right when they opened and there was a line out the door. We ordered a few old fashioneds and were told that it was double bubble; 2-for1! Great start to the evening. We waited about an hour for our table but once we were sat we received our meals at lightning speed. The steaks we ordered were absolutely superb along with the rest of the meal. If you are a supper club enthusiast, you've gotta check this place out.
SHOPPING
I love a town staple and Sweet Memories Candy Shoppe is just that. The entire building is packed with different types of candy ranging from sweet to sour to gummies to homemade fudge. They have over 60 flavors of salt water taffy! There is also a small ice cream shop in the back of the store. I felt like a kid in a candy store while I was walking through (get it?).
Yvonne's Classy Closet is a fun boutique shop! They have such a variety of items to browse through: clothing, jewelry and accessories, gifts, and more. The clothing is so unique yet trendy. I bought myself a beautiful necklace. This is a great place to stop no matter who you are; there is something for everyone!
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