Explore Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau
Wisconsin’s Third-Highest Point, Right Outside Wausau
Rib Mountain State Park centers on a quartzite ridge, thought to be one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, rising to the third-highest point in the state just four miles from downtown Wausau. Locals simply call it Rib Mountain, and it earns the affection. More than 13 miles of Rib Mountain hiking trails wind past rocky outcroppings and an old quarry. At the 1,942-foot summit, a 60-foot observation tower offers views of the Wisconsin River valley stretching for miles. Come fall in Wisconsin, when the maples below the tower turn every shade of amber and red, there is no better vantage point in the state, making it the ideal centerpiece for a fall getaway.
The mountain is reason enough to visit, but it sits at the center of a surprisingly full weekend. When our guests ask about things to do in Wausau, WI, we recommend starting with a morning hike at Rib Mountain State Park, then spending the afternoon watching paddlers navigate the Wausau Whitewater Park or exploring the bird-inspired galleries at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. The 400 Block hosts concerts, festivals, and community events throughout the warmer months, and when winter arrives, Granite Peak Ski Area transforms Rib Mountain Wausau into one of the Midwest’s premier skiing destinations.
After a day on the trails, you will want to return to a comfortable home base. Stewart Inn is one of the top weekend getaways in Wisconsin. Located in Wausau’s downtown river district, our lodging is a 1906 Prairie-style mansion designed by George Maher and was the first property in Wausau listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Plan Your Visit to Rib Mountain State Park
Most people head straight to the summit when visiting Rib Mountain State Park. You can drive nearly to the top along the winding park road or hike your way there, and either route leads to the 60-foot observation tower overlooking Wausau, the Wisconsin River Valley, and miles of surrounding forest. Around the summit, you will also find picnic areas, impressive quartzite outcroppings worth exploring, and the Top of the Rib concession stand, where snacks, drinks, and gifts help support park programs.
The Rib Mountain hiking trails are what keep visitors coming back. The Yellow Trail offers the park’s most challenging route, descending the mountain’s southern slope through mature hardwood forest. The Green Trail provides a shorter loop that passes unique quartzite formations tucked beneath the trees. The Blue Trail, originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s, features hand-built stone staircases and some of the park’s most distinctive rock formations. The Quarry Trail leads to the historic quartzite quarry once operated by 3M, while the nearby Dynamite Trail passes the former dynamite storage area used during the quarry’s operation. More than eight miles of the park’s trail system are accessible to visitors with disabilities, making Rib Mountain State Park one of Wisconsin’s most accessible hiking destinations.
Rib Mountain State Park changes with every season. Fall in Wisconsin brings the park’s busiest and most colorful months, when brilliant maples and oaks transform the mountainside into one of central Wisconsin’s finest places to experience autumn. During winter, Granite Peak Ski Area offers downhill skiing and snowboarding, while a groomed snowshoe trail along portions of the Middle Yellow Trail provides a quieter way to enjoy the snow-covered forest.
The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round, about ten minutes from downtown Wausau. Rib Mountain State Park is a day-use park, so overnight camping is not available, and a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission pass is required for vehicles entering the property, although visitors arriving on foot do not need a vehicle sticker. Dogs are welcome on the trails when kept on a leash no longer than eight feet. Trail maps are available at the park office and online, and it is worth picking one up before heading out because several trail intersections near the summit can be easy to miss.
Book One of the Best Weekend Getaways in Wisconsin
A full day exploring Rib Mountain State Park deserves a comfortable place to unwind, and that is where Stewart Inn comes in. Sitting in Wausau’s downtown river district, our lodging is the perfect location for a fall getaway. Each of our guest rooms features a king bed, ensuite bath, fireplace, luxury linens, and a steam shower you will appreciate after a day on the trails. Join us for our nightly wine reception before settling in for the evening.
Come morning, the real show begins. Our gourmet multi-course breakfast is made from scratch every day with ingredients sourced from local Wisconsin purveyors, preparing you for another day of exploring Rib Mountain State Park or discovering more things to do in Wausau, WI, all within easy reach of our front door.
Book Your Fall Getaway in Wausau Today
Book your stay at Stewart Inn and start planning one of the best weekend getaways in Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rib Mountain State Park?
Rib Mountain State Park sits about four miles from downtown Wausau, Wisconsin, roughly ten minutes by car.
Can you camp at Rib Mountain State Park?
No. Rib Mountain State Park is a day-use park, so overnight camping is not available, though nearby lodging like Stewart Inn offers a comfortable alternative just minutes away.
How tall is Rib Mountain?
Rib Mountain rises to a 1,942-foot summit, making it the third-highest point in Wisconsin.
Where is the best place to stay near Rib Mountain State Park?
Downtown Wausau makes an excellent base, with Stewart Inn offering a historic Prairie-style mansion setting just a short drive from the park entrance.