Park Info:
Rice Lake State Park is located in Owatonna, MN and is the headwater source for part of the Zumbro River. The park is a major wetland in the area with the lake being a designated wildlife lake. It is shallow and marshy, so it attracts a lot of migratory waterfowl. However, there are other habitats here, so there are several other types of birds to be found. A good place to go birding, if that strikes your fancy.
Aside from birding and some photo ops with the wildflowers, you can hike, cross country ski, snowmobile, snowshoe. You can hunt waterfowl and fish here, but there are restrictions and stipulations, so make sure you educate yourself of the rules and regulations before heading out. They do suggest giving them a call to make verify your plans and get any recommendations.
Speaking of getting out on the trails, there are five miles of natural trails to hike (with 0.10 miles being wheelchair accessible), three miles of ungroomed cross country skiing trails, three miles to snowmobile on, and snowshoeing available everywhere except groomed trails.
The park also offers a park office, interpretive exhibit, naturalist programs, an observation platform, gift shop, paddling rentals, firewood sales, and a public pay phone. There is also a picnic area, picnic shelter, and warming house.
All of this info came from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website, so credit where credit is due. Click here to view the original source.
Accessibility of Facility
Parking
Parking was in a large gravel lot near the boat landing. Make sure to follow the signs from the park office.
Bathrooms
There was a vault toilet next to the warming house. I didn’t use it, but it looked standard for what we’ve seen so far for vault toilets.
Getting to the Trail
I had a hard time finding the trail (I struggled with the maps, per usual), but it was easily spotted when I got to the right area of the park. It’s the only trail near the boat landing.
Trail Info
The Rice Lake North Loop Trail is around a mile in length and has about 32 feet of elevation. I did the whole thing in 34 minutes with a stop to watch the lake.
I started off to the right, like I usually do on loops, and the terrain was all prairie grass. This portion of the trail was wide and level. My feet did get wet because morning dew, so keep that is mind if you’re going early-ish in the morning like me. This part had a lot of sun, so it just didn’t dry yet.
Once I looped into the wooden portion, there was so much shade, but the sun still trickled through the canopy. The trail turned into well packed dirt and was fairly even. No sticks required on this one. If you like slowing down and looking at the nature around you, this is a good place to do it. I’m working on doing just that and after a few reminders to my brain, I got it.
There is one bench on the second half of the trail that overlooks the lake. It is just kind of a peek, but it’s a good place to rest and hydrate or have a snack if you’re feeling it.
I would rate this trail as easy on my rating scale. There was little elevation and the inclines were almost non-existent. The ground was fairly level and even in my sleep deprived and slightly inflamed state due to allergies and coughing, I was not short of breath or struggling.
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Be safe out there! REMEMBER YOUR MAPS AND PASSPORT STAMPS!! Seeyalaterbye <3
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