{"status":"SUCCESS","result":{"point":{"epsg:4326":[-93.063508,44.095564]},"id":"spk00250","trails":{"summer":[{"qualifier":"0.5 miles","notes":"","type":"Accessible"},{"qualifier":"","notes":"The park has five miles of hiking trails. Prairie trails are mowed grass. Trails along the lake or through the woods are natural surface or wood chips.","type":"Hiking"}],"winter":[{"type":"Snowmobile","qualifier":"","notes":"The park has approximately three miles of snowmobile trails that connect to the Steele County grant-in-aid trail system."},{"notes":"Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park, except on groomed snowmobile trails.","qualifier":"","type":"Snowshoe"},{"type":"Other","qualifier":"","notes":"Trails are packed for winter hiking.The park has three ungroomed miles of ski trails."}]},"adaptive_equipment":[{"qualifier":"","notes":"The park has an all-terrain, electric powered chair that may be used on designated trails within the park. <a href=\"/state_parks/track-chairs.html\">Learn more about track chairs</a>.","type":"All-Terrain Track Chair"}],"hours_of_operation":"Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.","ta_id":"123095","seasonal_update":{"reservations":"All sites are reservable, and must be reserved before occupying the site.","dump_station":"The park does not have a dump station. But there are several located in the area. <p>Heading west? There are two are located approximately ten miles west of the park in Owatonna.</p> <p>If you are heading east, there is a dump station in Mantorville about 17 miles from the park.</p>","trails":"<p>Please check our \"Alerts and notices\" link above for any trail closures or updates.</p>","rentals":"Canoe and kayak rentals are closed for the season. <ul> <li>When rentals become available, they are rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Rentals may not be available during high winds or other poor weather conditions.</li> <li>Cost for all watercraft is $15 for up to four hours (1/2 day), or $25 for four to eight hours (full day). Fees include paddles (2/boat) and life jackets.</li> <li>Watercraft and gear must be locked up and keys returned before the office closes for the day, so plan your start times accordingly.</li> </ul>","rvs":"<ul> <li>The park has gravel spurs (driveways).</li> <li>Spur length ranges from 35' to 55'.</li> <li>Be sure to measure from the front of your tow vehicle to the back of your camper when determining the total length needed.</li> <li>There is an overflow parking lot near B Loop if the tow vehicle does not fit on the spur. And to fit on the spur, the tow vehicle must be backed into the spur in front of the camper. It cannot be next to camper or across the spur. </ul>","other":"The park no longer has a playground.","showers":"The campground and shower building are CLOSED for the season.</p> <p><b>Only campers staying in the main campground (Loops A and B) may use the showers! Campers staying on any other sites, including group, walk-in, cart-in and canoe-in, may NOT use these facilities as they do not have the capacity to accommodate more than the main campground sites.</b></p>","electric_sites":"There are 18 electric sites with 50/30/20 amp hookups, all in the main campground's B Loop marked with an \"E\". NOTE: Site B14 is NOT an electric site.","programs":"Naturalist programs are usually available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. <a href=\"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/events.html?location=spk00250\">Check for upcoming events</a>.","buildings":"The picnic shelter is available to rent for the day. The cost is $60 (non-refundable). Please contact the park office to reserve.","water":"Camping is CLOSED for the season. Water is available at the park office year-round.","contact":"<p><i>Updated 10/31/2026</i></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <b>Because our office hours can change based on staff availability, we recommend calling ahead. You may reach us at 507-414-6191 to check hours or get help when the office is closed.</b><br /> <br /> <br /> MON - THU: CLOSED<br /> FRI - SUN: 9 AM - 4 PM<br />","bathrooms":"<p>Camping is CLOSED for the season.</p> <p>Vault toilets are available year round throughout the park, and can be found on the <a href=\"http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00250.pdf\" target=\"_new\">all season map</a>.</p>","campgrounds":"Camping is CLOSED for the season. The anticipated open date is 4/1/2027, weather permitting.","drinking_water":"Water is available year-round at the office. There is a spigot located at the back of the office under the overhang."},"bbox":{"epsg:4326":[-93.079175,44.073661,-93.03535,44.102615]},"widgets":{"tripadvisor":{"rating_image_url":"https://www.tripadvisor.com/img/cdsi/img2/ratings/traveler/4.0-60688-5.svg","num_reviews":"27","web_url":"https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g43409-d123095-Reviews-Rice_Lake_State_Park-Owatonna_Minnesota.html?m=60688","rating":"4.0","review_rating_count":{"3":"8","1":"0","2":"1","4":"9","5":"9"},"write_review":"https://www.tripadvisor.com/UserReview-g43409-d123095-Rice_Lake_State_Park-Owatonna_Minnesota.html?m=60688"}},"notes":"<h3>Please do not litter!</h3> <p>Help keep state parks, recreation areas and trails clean - carry out whatever you bring in.</p>","name":"Rice Lake State Park","contact":{"hours":"<p><i>Updated 10/31/2026</i></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <b>Because our office hours can change based on staff availability, we recommend calling ahead. You may reach us at 507-414-6191 to check hours or get help when the office is closed.</b><br /> <br /> <br /> MON - THU: CLOSED<br /> FRI - SUN: 9 AM - 4 PM<br />","fax":"","phone":"507-414-6191","address":"8485 Rose Street<br /> Owatonna, MN 55060","email":"rice.lake.statepark@state.mn.us"},"overnight_facilities":{"lodging":[],"camping":[{"type":"Drive-in Sites","qualifier":"","notes":"The park has 40 campsites. Both the A and B loops in the main campground are one-way roads. All campsites are back-in sites. Shade coverage varies from open to wooded."},{"notes":"The B Loop has 18 campsites marked on the map with an \"E.\" (Note that site B14 is <em>not</em> electric.) All electric sites are 50 amp; the box also has 20 and 30 amp outlets.","qualifier":"","type":"Electric Sites"},{"notes":"Parking spurs vary in length from 35 to 55 feet. Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. We do have overflow parking for tow vehicles that do not fit on the spur.","qualifier":"","type":"RV Length Limit"},{"notes":"Two of the three accessible drive-in sites are electric. All three have hard-packed gravel on the entire site.","qualifier":"","type":"Accessible Sites"},{"type":"Walk-in Sites","notes":"The park has five rustic walk-in campsites 25 yards or less from the parking area, each with access to a vault toilet. Showers are not available for campers in these sites.","qualifier":""},{"qualifier":"","notes":"The park has four rustic cart-in campsites 100 yards or less from the parking area, each with a lake view and access to a vault toilet and a shared cart for hauling gear. Showers are not available to campers in these sites.","type":"Cart-in Sites"},{"type":"Canoe-in Sites","notes":"The park has five rustic canoe-in campsites, each with a lake view and access to a vault toilet. Showers are not available to campers in these sites. There is no drinking water at these sites, so you need to bring water with you. If you need to rent a canoe, please call the park office to confirm canoe availability. <strong>This MUST be done at least two days prior to your arrival date.</strong>","qualifier":""},{"qualifier":"","notes":"The park's rustic group camp accommodates up to 30 people and 12 vehicles. Vault toilets are available. Showers are not available to campers in the group camp.","type":"Group Camp"},{"type":"Other","notes":"<p><strong>Campsite limits</strong> <br />Other than the group camp, all campsites have a limit of <em>one</em> shelter (tent, RV, trailer, etc.) and <em>six</em> people per site, unless approved by the park manager prior to reserving. </p><p><strong>Hammocks and other items on trees</strong> <br />Not all sites can accommodate hammocks or other items attached to trees. If you rely on a hammock, call the park before you reserve to confirm which sites have suitable trees. <a href=\"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/hammocking.html\">Check the hammocking rules</a> - you must follow ALL of them! No ropes, chains or cables of any kind may be attached to trees.</p>","qualifier":""}],"sanitation":[{"notes":"The park's accessible showers are seasonally available to those camping in the main campground's A and B loops, not to campers in rustic sites.","qualifier":"","type":"Showers"},{"type":"Flush Toilets","notes":"The park's accessible flush toilets are available seasonally to those camping in the main campground's A and B loops, not to campers in rustic sites.","qualifier":""},{"type":"Vault Toilets","qualifier":"","notes":"Vault toilets are available year-round throughout the park."},{"type":"Dump Station","notes":"The nearest dump station is in Owatonna.","qualifier":""}]},"acres":1750,"narratives":{"landscape":["The land known today as Rice Lake State Park was originally located in a vast oak savanna, known as Minnesota's southern oak barrens, that covered about seven percent of the state extending from the Twin Cities on the north to the Iowa border and beyond. It formed a broad transition zone between the prairies to the west and the deciduous forests to the east. Originally, the dominant vegetation was prairie with occasional groves and scattered individual bur oak trees. Today, remnants of the oaks still remain at the park, and prairie vegetation has reappeared through restoration efforts."],"history":["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."],"wildlife":["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."],"naturalist":["Volunteer interpreters provide programs throughout the year. Be sure to check the \"More state Park Events\" link on Rice Lake's home page."],"introduction":["<strong>Long ago, American Indians harvested wild rice</strong> 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."],"geology":["In previous geologic eras, a shallow sea covered most of North America, including southwestern Minnesota. On its bed, layers of sediment turned to rock, hundreds of feet thick. The bedrock of this area is identical to that found to the east in Minnesota's blufflands. During this period of time, ice advanced across Minnesota four times. The surface and land forms found in the park were formed during the Kansan Ice Age. Rice Lake itself was formed by a depression in a huge pile of Kansas drift."]},"alert":"<p>Updated 10/31/2026</p> <h3>Special Hunt</h3> <p>We will have a special muzzleloader deer hunt this year on Saturday, December 5, 2026 and Sunday, December 6, 2026</p> <p>The park will be CLOSED to all visitors, except registered hunters for the park hunt, from 10 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2026 through 8 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2026.</p> <h3>CLOSURES</h3> <p>Camping is CLOSED for the season.</p> <p>Canoe and Kayak rentals are CLOSED for the season.</p> <h3>Waterfowl Season</h3> <p>While there is no hunting in Minnesota state parks, waterfowl hunting is allowed on Rice Lake. Please be aware that you may hear gun shots on the lake. Contact the park office at 507-414-6191 if you have any questions.</p> <h3>We have goats! (rev. 10/31/26)</h3> <p>Goats are still in the park through sometime in November They are here to conduct prescribed grazing in areas with buckthorn and other woody invasives.</p> <p>Please do not hike off trail in this area. Do not try to pet or feed the goats, as the fencing is electric and will shock if touched. Use caution when hiking in areas where the fencing is close to the trail edge or road.</p> <h3>Courtesy phone</h3> <p>Our courtesy phone is not available at this time, and cell phone reception for some carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint) can be spotty to nonexistent in the park. WiFi is available at the park office for better phone and internet signal (MNGuestWiFi).</p> <p>If you need to purchase a daily permit through <a href=\"https://yodelportal.com/\">Yodel</a> and you are unable to get online, you will need to drive west toward Owatonna (take a left at the park entrance) until you can get an internet signal. We recommend visitors purchase their <a href=\"/state_parks/permit.html\">daily and annual permits online</a> before leaving home.</p>","nearest_town":"Owatonna","maps":[{"url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00250.pdf","type":"pdf","title":"all season"},{"title":"all season","type":"geopdf","url":"https://mobile-maps-files.dnr.state.mn.us/file/State_Parks/Rice%20Lake%20GEO.pdf"}],"emt_id":8969,"highlights":["Excellent birdwatching during migrations","Canoe or kayak on Rice Lake","Snowmobile trails and skiing","Wildflowers","Camp under hardwoods or in a canoe campsite","Great variety of songbirds and waterfowl"],"directory":"rice_lake","directions":"Located 7 miles east of Owatonna on Rose Street. From Hwy 35, take exit 42A. Follow the signs to Rose Street. East on Rose Street to the park.","amenities":[{"type":"Ranger Station","qualifier":"","notes":"Purchase vehicle permits in person at the ranger station or <a href=\"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/permit.html\">online</a>."},{"qualifier":"","notes":"Visit the <i>Window on Nature</i> exhibit in the ranger station or the observation deck in the picnic area.","type":"Interpretive Exhibit"},{"notes":"The park occasionally hosts <a href=\"/state_parks/events.html?location=spk00250\">naturalist programs</a>.","qualifier":"","type":"Naturalist Programs"},{"qualifier":"","notes":"Shop books, field guides, park-specific clothing, and gifts at the ranger station.","type":"Gift Shop"},{"qualifier":"","notes":"Canoe and kayak rentals are available from the ranger station. <p>Birding kits are free to check out from the ranger station.</p>","type":"Rentals"},{"type":"Firewood","notes":"Purchase firewood at the ranger station when it is open, or use <a href=\"https://yodelportal.com/MNDNR\" title=\"Yodel\">Yodel</a> to pay on site. Gathering firewood is against state park rules. Protect our trees - please burn only <a href=\"/firewood/index.html\" title=\"Firewood rules\">approved firewood</a>! <ul> <li> Out-of-state firewood is not allowed on DNR lands. This includes wood that is labeled as USDA certified.</li> <li>Firewood that is not MDA certified and purchased in Steele County may be brought in only if it meets all of the following criteria:</li> <ul> <li>It must be bundled and clearly labeled with the vendor name and information;</li> <li>The county of harvest must be Steele County only - it cannot have been harvested in multiple counties; and</li> <li>it cannot contain any ash wood.</li> </ul> <li>Broken bundles are not allowed.</li> <li>Not all firewood purchased at a Minnesota state park may be brought into another Minnesota state park. It <em>must</em> be MDA certified, labeled and bundled. Not all parks sell MDA certified firewood.</li> <li>Uncertified firewood may not travel outside a quarantined county.</li> </ul>","qualifier":""},{"type":"Other","notes":"Observe waterfowl and other wildlife from the observation deck in the picnic area. Check out binoculars, field guides, and kids' discovery kits from at the ranger station.","qualifier":""}],"related_pages":[{"url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/destinations/state_parks/rice_lake/bird_checklist.pdf","type":"pdf","title":"bird checklist"},{"url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/destinations/state_parks/virtual_tours/rice_lake/vt_ricelake.html","type":"html","title":"panoramic tour"},{"type":"html","url":"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/virtual_tour/rice_lake/dialup.html","title":"snapshot tour"},{"url":"https://www.exploreminnesota.com/profile/rice-lake-state-park/8220","type":"html","title":"Explore Minnesota profile"}],"recreation_facilities":{"water":[{"type":"Water Source","notes":"Rice Lake is a designated wildlife lake that is managed for waterfowl habitat. It is very shallow, averaging three to five feet. Waterfowl hunting is allowed, but you must be on the lake to hunt.","qualifier":""},{"qualifier":"","notes":"Because Rice Lake is a designated wildlife lake, it is not managed for fishing. However, some game fish such as northern pike and perch are stocked to help control the rough fish population. You can find better fishing opportunities in the Owatonna and Faribault areas.","type":"Fishing"},{"type":"Fishing Pier","notes":"There is an accessible fishing pier/observation platform in the picnic area.","qualifier":""},{"type":"Boat Access","notes":"Use the boat launch area to access Rice Lake.","qualifier":""},{"qualifier":"","notes":"Rice Lake is very shallow. Call the park office for restrictions or recommendations.","type":"Boating Restrictions"},{"type":"Boat Docks","qualifier":"","notes":""}],"winter":[{"type":"Warming House","notes":"The warming house is located in the boat ramp parking area and serves as the winter trailhead. It opens for the fall waterfowl hunting season and remains open through the winter.","qualifier":""}],"summer":[{"type":"Picnic Area","notes":"The lakeside picnic area is accessible.","qualifier":""},{"qualifier":"","notes":"The accessible open-sided shelter in the picnic area has electricity. The picnic shelter is first-come, first-served.","type":"Picnic Shelter"}]}},"timestamp":1793771879,"message":"Normal execution."}