“Enjoy Camping under the Hardwoods!”
Long ago, American Indians harvested wild rice from this lake where today, the shallow waters and marshy edges of Rice Lake attract many waterfowl during migrations. Rice Lake is a major wetland in the area. Visitors enjoy camping under the tall hardwoods, photographing spring wildflowers, picnicking, and birdwatching. For a more secluded camping experience, paddle across the lake and camp in a canoe campsite. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowmobiling on the trails. The park holds a variety of habitats. Marshes, lakes, meadows, and woods attract a large number of birds, especially waterfowl, during spring and fall migrations. The forested areas attract seven species of woodpeckers, including the pileated woodpecker. During spring migration, look for whistling swans; Canada, snow, and blue geese; diving ducks, Western and pied-billed grebes. Black terns nest in the park. Rice Lake is the headwater source for the south branch of the middle fork of the Zumbro River. The lake was first dammed to provide energy for the water-powered mill located further to the east at Wasioja. Occasionally, Rice Lake became depleted, requiring the mill to shut down. North of the park boundaries, a stagecoach route followed the "Ridge Road" in the mid-1800s. There was a promising young village of Rice Lake on this road, but the railroads came, and changed the town's future as newer towns, with more promise, sprang up. The only sign that remains of this village today is the Rice Lake Church, built in 1857, located on the northern boundary of the park. It can be seen today along Dodge County Highway 20.
Reviews of Rice Lake State Park
4 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G
Confirmed by 2 users | Last reported on July 30, 2021AT&T 4G
Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on May 12, 2019Reviews
We had a perfectly nice trip here. The park is well cared for, hot showers, a nice lake for canoeing and some nice walking trails.
But I didn't love it. It is very wooded and was very damp. The sites were fine and you are not.on too of your neighbors.and the facilities all were good. The showers were above average.
The lake is cute and small, think canoe or kayak (they rent both). Not sure if there is a place to swim, I didn't see any.
The most interesting thing is the canoe in camping.
I didn't love because it was damp and buggy. We did enjoy, seems good for laying around and reading a book.
Nightly Rate: $26.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: B7
RV Length: 22 ft
RV Type: Class B
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
We camped here in the spring, just a few days after the area got 2” of rain. The trails were mostly soft, but passable. Only 4 miles of trails, but lots of water to paddle on. The staff were knowledgeable and very helpful. Campground was very quiet!
Nightly Rate: $29.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: B10E
RV Length: 16 ft
RV Type: Travel Trailer
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
We stayed here one night as a stop over off I-35, which was just 15 mins away making this great for thru travelers.
I initially wanted to give this 5 stars because it's a nice campground with well-maintained sites. We had a great firepit, good hammock trees, and the lake was just a short walk away from the campground.
We decided to lower our rating due to 3 factors: mosquitoes, older bathrooms, and no dump station. These should not dissuade you at all - nothing was terrible - but we decided this means it's not a 5 star stop.
A note on mosquitoes - it's a wetland! They should be there! All the same, go here knowing you're on their turf.
Happy camping!
Nightly Rate: $23.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: A20
On the rate, don't forget to include the $7 per vehicle per night charge. The park is pretty and rustic, but the campground is a mess. Very few of the spots are even close to level. Their is only electric, no sewer dump station or water. The lake itself is virtually unusable, water level is low and putting a kayak in requires slogging through marsh to open water. The campsites are cramped and not cleaned. The "office" is rarely open, and the only staff I have seen is the park ranger running around at 6:30 am to leave notes on your car stating that it must be moved. There is a sign at the office that tells you that you must reserve online and write your receipt number on a sheet of paper and leave it on your windshield.
The first night, I parked the car in front of the rig on bare dirt, very close to the rig. I got hit with a note saying that I must move it to overflow parking 150 yards away. I have expensive equipment in my jeep and don't want it that far from my rig, so the next night I park it in front of the rig, on gravel and off the street. I get a "Second notice" stating I must move it to the overflow parking. Mind you, my jeep is a 97 wrangler, very small and parked on the gravel and off the road. There is nothing in the rules stating additional vehicles must be parked in overflow, simply that they have overflow parking if needed. Fortunately, we are leaving today so I won't have to worry about this, but I definitely will not be staying here again.
Nightly Rate: $33.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: B19E
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
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Rice Lake State Park
Hours
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- State park or forest
- Back In RV Sites Count
- 25
- Last Nightly Rate
- 33.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 22 ft
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 23.0
- Max Length
- 40 ft
- Max Stay
- 14
- Season End
- Year Round
- Season Start
- Year Round
- Sites Count
- 42
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Paved Sites
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Pull Through
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Tent Sites
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Back In RV Sites
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Standard Tent Sites
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Vehicle Wash Permitted
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Water Hookup
Campground, Restrooms
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