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Rice Lake State Park

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Rice Lake State Park is a state park of Minnesota, United States, just east of Owatonna. Park lands entirely surround Rice Lake, an important stopping point for migrating waterfowl. The lake covers 750acre with an average depth of 3ft.Natural historyThe park's bedrock is limestone laid down 500 million years ago as organic sediments settled to the bottom of a shallow sea that covered much of the Midwest. This limestone is entirely covered by glacial till deposited during a Pre-Illinoian glaciation about 400,000 years ago. As those glaciers were retreating, a block of ice broke off and remained embedded in the till. The ice melted, forming a kettle which became Rice Lake. 10,000 years ago the more recent Wisconsin glaciation missed Rice Lake, passing to the west of the park. Meltwater from that glacier eroded streambeds into the Kansan till.Rice Lake is the headwaters of the South Branch, Middle Fork of the Zumbro River. This east flowing stream was the lake's original outlet. After the Wisconsin glacier passed, the land to the west was lowered and a second outlet formed that flowed west into another watershed. This outlet feeds the Straight River, a tributary of the Cannon River.In historical times, Rice Lake may have been as much as 55ft deep, but has filled in considerably due to human influence and the process of eutrophication. Today, Rice Lake is ringed with marsh vegetation. The marshy, shallow nature of the lake, as well as its being the only large lake in the area, make it ideal for migrating waterfowl. Whistling swans, Canada and snow geese, diving ducks, western and pied-billed grebes, and black terns are frequent visitors.

Address: 8485 Rose St, Owatonna, MN 55060, USA
Phone: (507) 414-6190
State: Minnesota
City: Owatonna
Zip Code: 55060



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Reviews
We stayed at Walk-in site 5. It was great except for that there was a fairly loud, large group at the group campsite. The park itself is fairly small, but had enough for our quick, with-child camping trip. The park staff was very friendly and helpful. The grill on the fire pit for walk-in site 5 is fixed which made it more challenging to get the fire going under the grill area of the pit. Not a big deal, but our friends were staying at site 4 and their pit hinged open. Much easier to work with so we ended up cooking at their site more frequently than at ours. I noticed that walk-in site 1 had a grill that swung out and up and down, which would have been even better. All of the walk-in sites are very shady, which is what I prefer. So shady, in fact, that we almost didn't put up our sun-shade alcove. If rain hadn't been in the forecast, we probably would have forgone it. The walk-in sites were very secluded from the main, loop campground which we loved. They were also far enough away from each other that you didn't feel like you were camping with people in the next site. You could hear them, but only if they were loud or you were trying to listen. We drove by the main camping loops. It looked like loop A was mostly tents and loop B was mostly RVs. Pros: Shady, secluded walk-in campsites. Close to the city. Easy-access walk-in and cart-in sites. Clean vault toilets. Nice, friendly staff. Cons: No lake access (which we knew going in, but is something to keep in mind). Loud group camping group. Small park (not a big deal for us, but others might find it a con).
8 years ago (25-07-2017)
Helpful people, very knowledgeable! quiet close by my home clean, showers lots of trails to walk don't need license to fish in this state park, lots of wildlife! Canoes to rent if u need! Can't wait to go camping here again!
8 years ago (26-09-2017)
Park staff are extremely friendly. Cross country skiing and hiking trails.
7 years ago (07-02-2018)
We went the this park for the first time. It is so beautiful. It was our first time there. So quiet and relaxing.
8 years ago (25-10-2017)
A hidden gem! Loop A has some very nice camping spaces with plenty of tree coverage to help keep you cool on the really hot days, and for some reason it is not very busy. Great for tenting! Loop B has all the electricity, but if you are looking for a place closer to the twin cities to get away, check this place out!
8 years ago (04-06-2017)
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