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Rib Mountain State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,535 Google reviews · Running trail in Wausau, Wisconsin · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rib Mountain State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park featuring billion-year-old Rib Mountain, hiking & an observation tower with panoramic views.
What runners say about Rib Mountain State Park
“The landscape is adorned with stunning rock formations that captivate the eye, while informative displays enrich your understanding of the area's unique ecosystem.”
“Clearly marked trails throughout the woods for different distances and difficulties.”
My friend Tom and I came for a winter hike. A 12" snowfall a few days prior was just starting to melt, which made the hiking especially engaging. The trails system is pretty extensive, fairly diverse, and interesting along with offering great views.
We made a quick stop at Rib Mountain State Park while passing through the area. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to explore it at a leisurely pace, and since it was only October 1st, the fall colors hadn’t fully developed yet — not quite enough to convince me to pay for a full visit this time.
This destination is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. The landscape is adorned with stunning rock formations that captivate the eye, while informative displays enrich your understanding of the area's unique ecosystem.
We went in the spring, and the views were incredible. The hiking trails are super well maintained, so hiking was safe and easy. We also loved climbing the tower and viewing all the unique rock formations. I definitely want to come back in the fall!
Trail conditions & character
“The landscape is adorned with stunning rock formations that captivate the eye, while informative displays enrich your understanding of the area's unique ecosystem.”
“Lots of elevation changes on the trails with a lot of steps and rocks to negotiate, but overall not too crazy for most people.”
Plan your run at Rib Mountain State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- Websitednr.wisconsin.gov
- Phone(715) 842-2522
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–11 PM |
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