Rib Mountain State Park
Located just a couple miles south of Wausau, in central Wisconsin, Rib Mountain State Park is a beautiful park with trails varying from woodsy to rocky, and an observation tower.
There are several parking lots, many benches and picnic tables spread throughout, and even reservable gazebos. The park can seem pretty busy from the parking lots, but most people only check out the observation tower and short nearby trails. Once on trail, it didn’t seem busy at all!
I was there on a beautiful Fall day, and did the following:
One of the viewpoints on the Red Trail.
Red Trail
This is not an easy trail, with roots and rocks. Not smooth rocks, pointy rocks, and pointing towards your feet too, so make sure you have good shoes.
The trail is narrow, and I did get lost once, but other than that it’s beautiful, and it has several viewpoints with great expansive views.
You can start this loop trail from the observation tower parking lot and it is listed as 1.2 miles long. There are several rock staircases, some of them steep, and some smoother flatter sections… but not many.
Be prepared, but go for it, it’s worth it!
Gray Trail
This is another loop you can do from the observation tower parking lot, it’s listed as 1.5 miles and goes on the other side of the mountain. Be aware that half of it is closed in the winter, as it goes through the ski area. That section is wide and exposed.
You will have views of Wausau from this trail, which is easier than the red trail, and shares some of its sections with the yellow trail. In that section, it’s a wider trail, smoother. It also shares a very short section with the asphalt path that goes all along the park’s entrance road and goes quite close to the park’s office.
Most of it is narrow with some roots and rocks, and some rock stairs.
Observation Tower
Accessible from the furthest parking lot in the park, and near a bathroom, a concession stand and a playground, this observation tower is pretty typical of Wisconsin State Parks.
There are three different levels to observe the area, the top one at 60 feet. From up there, you can see the forest, the city of Wausau and sections of the Wisconsin River.
If you’re not afraid of heights, make sure to check it out next time you go visit Rib Mountain State Park!
View from the top of the Observation Tower.