Rice Lake State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Gainey Park Kaplans Woods Parkway
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Unfortunately, there is a discrepancy in the question as Rice Lake State Park is actually located in the state of Minnesota, not Missouri.
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Therefore, providing information for the correct location.
Rice Lake State Park is a 837-acre park located in Owatonna, Minnesota. It offers a variety of recreational activities throughout the year, including camping, hiking, fishing, and swimming.
Some specific points of interest to see at the park include Rice Lake, which is a shallow lake that covers 440 acres and is popular for fishing. The park also has several trails, including the 3.5-mile hiking trail that circles Rice Lake and the 1.5-mile paved trail that winds through the park's wooded areas.
Interesting facts about the area include that the park was established in 1963 and was named after Rice Lake, which was named after early settler George Rice. Additionally, the park has several historic structures, including the Rice Lake Bathhouse and the Rice Lake Dam.
The best time of year to visit Rice Lake State Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is popular for swimming and camping, while fall offers beautiful foliage for hiking and biking. Winter brings opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Rice Lake State Park is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers a variety of activities and points of interest to explore.
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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.
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