Rib Mountain in Marathon County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Welcome to Rib Mountain State Park
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, October 30, 2025
1. Welcome to Rib Mountain State Park Marker
The Civilian Conservation Corps
Centered around environmental projects, The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was created durning the Great Depression as a work relief program for young men across the country.
The red, blue, green, and portions of the grey trails were built in the 1930's as a part of the CCC program. In building these trails, the CCC crews accomplished an amazing feat. They carved these trails by hand through the Rib Mountain quartzite, some of the hardest rock on earth, without using motorized equipment.
Unique Trails
Just as Rib Mountain is unique to central Wisconsin, it's also home to unique trails.
The Yellow trail system was partially developed from old logging roads and serves as a snowshoe trail during the winter. This trail, running from the base of Rib Mountain to the top, offers a challenging climb.
The Turkey Vulture, Quarry, Homestead, and Dynamite trails are the most recently created trails.
this page online
Community
Rib Mountain State Park is a "treasure of trails" to those who live in and visit the area.
Thanks to the Friends of Rib Mountain, various Eagle Scouts, park staff, and volunteers, these "treasures" at Rib Mountain can continue to be enjoyed by all.
Rib Mountain State Park Fun Facts
How much do you know about Rib Mountain State Park? Frm unique geology and wildlife, to rich community history, here are a few "fun facts" about the mountain.
In 1931, the original road to the top of Rib Mountain was completed. In order to build this road, it took 4 tons of dynamite to blow out tree stumps and hard quartzite
In 1957, Rib Mountain was the scene of a national hill-climb race. Organized by the Rib Mountain Lions Club and the Sports Car Club of America, this event drew in the nation's top competitors. The winner, John Kilbourn,m toped 100 miles per hour on his way up the winding ascent.
Turkey vultures are a common sight in the sky at Rib Mountain. These birds have an extraordinary sense of smell and have been known to
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch
2. Rib Mountain State Park Fun Facts
Rib Mountain not only stretches up approximately 700 feet into the air, but also down. Geologists estimate that the quartzite slab that makes up Rib Mountain reaches down into the ground up to 4,000 feet!
The quartzite found on Rib Mountain is remarkably pure, composed of 99% silica. Glassy crystals of quartz give this rock its great and white color, while tinges of pink indicate a presence of iron throughout. This quartzite is so unique. It even has it own special name; Rib Mountain Quartzite.
Erected 2022 by Friends of Rib Mountain State Park.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Natural Features • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.
Location. 44° 55.235′ N, 89° 41.536′ W. Marker is in Rib Mountain, Wisconsin, in Marathon County. It is on State Park Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area:
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch
3. Map of Rib Mountain State Park
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Skiing Rib Mountain (about 500 feet away); Ancient Ripples (about 600 feet away); To Charles E. Parker (about 600 feet away); Mountain View (about 600 feet away); Monadnocks (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Rib Mountain State Park (about 600 feet away); The Pineries (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Teachers Training School in Wisconsin (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rib Mountain.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rib Mountain State Park (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker.
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, July 28, 2026
4. Three Panel Location Outside Concession Stand
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 30, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
