Rice Creek Chain Of Lakes Regional Park Reserve
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve is located in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis–Saint Paul in Minnesota.
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Summary
It is a popular recreational area that offers a variety of activities for visitors, including hiking, biking, fishing, and boating.
One of the main reasons to visit Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve is its beautiful natural scenery. The park boasts a diverse landscape of lakes, forests, wetlands, and prairies that provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, such as deer, foxes, coyotes, and eagles.
Some of the specific points of interest to see in the park include the Rice Creek North Regional Trail, the Wargo Nature Center, and the Chain of Lakes. The Rice Creek North Regional Trail is a 13-mile paved trail that winds through the park, offering scenic views of the lakes and wetlands. The Wargo Nature Center is an educational facility that hosts interactive exhibits and nature programs for visitors of all ages. The Chain of Lakes is a popular spot for boating, fishing, and swimming, with several public access points and picnic areas.
Interesting facts about the park include its history as a former mining and industrial area. The park was established in the 1960s after years of pollution and environmental damage, and today it is a thriving natural habitat that serves as a sanctuary for many species of plants and animals.
The best time of year to visit Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are great for hiking, biking, and water activities, while fall is a popular time to see the changing colors of the leaves. Winter offers opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park
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Bunker Hills Regional Park
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Bunker Hills Campground
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Golden Lake Park
Rice Creek North Regional Park
Kane Meadows Park
Carl Eck Park
Centennial Green Park