See all 3 routes on Big Rib River
Wisconsin | Wausau Area
Big Rib RiverCounty Highway A to Rib Falls County Park
Scenic Big Rib connector from the County Highway A bridge to Rib Falls County Park, with gentle riffles, modest outcrops, island braids, and a mandatory take-out above Big Rib Falls.
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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 at County Highway A and take out at Rib Falls County Park above Big Rib Falls. This is a scenic riffle-and-outcrop connector, not a falls-running recommendation.
Access map
Put-in
County Highway A Big Rib bridge accessMiles Paddled gives GPS points for both endpoints and describes the Highway A launch as a small trail from the road.
Take-out
Rib Falls County Park take-out above Big Rib FallsThe take-out above the falls may be steep or awkward; identify the gradual option and do not drift toward the brink tired or distracted.
Road shuttle
Scout the Rib Falls County Park take-out before launching, then stage Highway A. The route must end above Big Rib Falls, and high water can make the last approach less forgiving.
Additional access notes
- Rib Falls County Park is a Marathon County park with trails, picnic amenities, and vault restrooms, but fishing is prohibited and posted rules should be checked.
More route and safety guidance
- Island narrows and riffles scrape near the selected floor and can hide wood or shallow slots after storms.
- The County A bridge put-in has limited parking, and the park take-out requires carrying through uneven falls terrain.
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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Weather
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Tomorrow and the weekend
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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
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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 |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 298 cfs to 300 cfs |
| Low threshold | 298 cfs |
| High threshold | 501 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Miles Paddled Big Rib River II level note plus WRT Rib Falls 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 shapeCounty Road A to Rib Falls, 7.25 mi
Miles Paddled documents the exact put-in and take-out GPS points, total mileage, paddle time, and route character.
- Route corroborationCounty A to Big Rib Falls County Park, 7.7 mi
WRT calls this one of the best Big Rib legs, with attractive hemlocks, light rapids, boulders, granite outcrops, and Big Rib Falls at the end.
- Threshold support298 cfs minimum; 201-300 cfs WRT target
Miles Paddled says 298 cfs was very good but near the practical minimum; WRT gives 201-300 cfs as a good target and 501+ cfs as very high.
- Mandatory take-outTake out above Big Rib Falls
WRT considers Big Rib Falls Class IV and only for skilled whitewater paddlers; this card ends above the falls at the county park.
- 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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