See all 3 routes on Big Rib River
Wisconsin | Wausau Area
Big Rib RiverAmco Park to County Highway A
Beginner-friendly upper-middle Big Rib River day from Marathon County Amco Park to the County Highway A bridge, with brisk current, light riffles, small outcrops, and direct Rib Falls gauge support.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch from Marathon County Amco Park and take out at County Highway A for an easier Big Rib segment below the Rib Dells. The direct Rib Falls gauge is currently below the selected low-water floor.
Access map
Put-in
Amco Park Big Rib River accessAmco Park is a public Marathon County park with Big Rib River access, fishing access, picnic facilities, potable water, and vault toilets.
Take-out
County Highway A Big Rib bridge accessHighway A is a bridge-area take-out with a faded path and limited shoulder or snowmobile-drive parking. Confirm the pull-off before launching.
Road shuttle
Stage County Highway A first because parking is limited near the bridge, then return to Amco Park. The road shuttle is short by car but not especially pleasant by bike.
Additional access notes
- Do not turn this into an unplanned continuation toward Rib Falls; the downstream route requires a mandatory take-out above the falls.
More route and safety guidance
- The County Highway A take-out is a bridge-area path with limited parking; scout it before launching.
- Do not continue downstream toward Rib Falls unless adding the separate County A-to-Rib Falls route and taking out above the falls.
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Big Rib River at Rib Falls, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Big Rib River at Rib Falls, WI |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 201 cfs to 300 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 501 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Big Rib - Amco Park depth guide |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route shapeAmco Park to Highway A, 4.3 mi
Wisconsin River Trips lists the exact route, distance, gradient, shuttle, access notes, current, and hazards.
- Public put-inAmco Park access to Big Rib River
Marathon County lists Amco Park as a 39-acre public park with Big Rib River access, fishing access, picnic facilities, potable water, and vault restrooms.
- Gauge ladder201-300 cfs target; 501+ not casual
WRT ties the Amco route to the Big Rib at Rib Falls gauge and publishes route-specific bands from very low through very high.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-1747.9 cfs / 2.03 ft at 2026-07-17 07:00 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Big Rib River
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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