How much does camping cost at Rice Lake?

Camping fees at Rice Lake range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Can I see photos of campsites at Rice Lake before I book?

Yes! Rice Lake has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Rice Lake?

Rice Lake is open Peak season coincides with summer months and warmer weather conditions.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Rice Lake?

Rice Lake does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Rice Lake?

Fire policies at Rice Lake: Fires must be made in the provided grates. No additional fire rings are allowed.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Rice Lake have?

Rice Lake has 2 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Rice Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Rice Lake. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Rice Lake?

Rice Lake offers: Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Rice Lake?

Popular activities at Rice Lake include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Rice Lake

Q: Is Rice Lake first-come first-served or reservation?

Rice Lake operates on a first-come, first-served basis. All sites are walk-up as reservations are not available and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

0 review

7355 West Hwy 61 Tofte, MN 55615

Peace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Hiking Camping

Quick Facts

1,729 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Open from April 15 o...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,729 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Open from April 15 o...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Rice Lake

$0.00 - $9.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There are no reservation fees as the sites are first-come, first-served. The only costs may involve permits or restrictions for groups larger than...

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

(218) 663-8060SM.FS.Superior_NF@usda.gov

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Campground Map

7355 West Hwy 61 Tofte, MN 55615

Rice Lake

7355 West Hwy 61 Tofte, MN 55615

Nearby places

Tofte: 10 miles, Lutsen: approximately 8 miles

Nearby supplies

Supplies, including groceries and camping essentials, can be found in Tofte (approximately 10 miles away).

Driving directionsFrom Lutsen, travel on Caribou Trail for 8.1 miles, then turn left onto Clara Lake Road for 3.3 miles, followed by a left turn onto Rice Lake Road for 2.4 miles. Hike/portage to the lake from there. Alternatively, continue on Rice Lake Road for another 0.8 miles, turn onto Forest Route 339, and travel for 0.3 miles, then follow the Poplar River through Screech and Anderson Lakes to Rice Lake.

Access to the campground requires a combination of driving and hiking/portaging. The roads leading up to the trailheads are paved, but the actual access to Rice Lake involves hiking or portaging through nearby lakes, making it less accessible for vehicles.

Weather at Rice Lake

Best Time to Camp at Rice Lake

Summer offers the most reliable conditions. Daytime highs run 60–75°F, nights drop into the 40s–50s. Trails and portages are ice-free, water access is straightforward, and daylight stretches long. Black flies peak for a few weeks but are manageable before and after. Winter temperatures range from -1°F to 45°F, with weekly snowfall of 1–5 inches creating good conditions for cross-country skiing and tracking wildlife. The two-site limit means crowds stay low year-round.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer most reliable: 60–75°F, ice-free portages and long daylight ideal for access.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Peak season coincides with summer months and warmer weather conditions.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from April 15 onwards.

About Rice Lake

Rice Lake sits deep in Superior National Forest at 1,729 feet elevation, accessible only by foot or boat. Two dispersed sites accommodate up to nine people each, with fire rings as the sole amenity. This is primitive camping in boreal wilderness, part of the Poplar River waterway system that connects Rice Lake to neighboring waters.

Rice Lake is a backcountry camping site with two single-party sites available. It is accessible only by foot or boat.

Historical Significance

The Poplar River canoe routes have served as travel corridors for indigenous peoples and early explorers, though specific tribal affiliations and historical events aren't documented in available records.

Weather and SeasonsSummer offers the most reliable conditions. Daytime highs run 60–75°F, nights drop into the 40s–50s. Trails and portages are ice-free, water access is straightforward, and daylight stretches long. Black flies peak for a few weeks but are manageable before and after. Winter temperatures range from -1°F to 45°F, with weekly snowfall of 1–5 inches creating good conditions for cross-country skiing and tracking wildlife. The two-site limit means crowds stay low year-round.

ElevationThe natural contours of the land create an intimate camping experience at Rice Lake, where the terrain gently embraces the shoreline and forest floor.

Natural Features and SceneryThe 222-acre lake connects to other waters through the Poplar River, creating a network of paddling routes carved by ancient glaciers. Bedrock of the Canadian Shield surfaces along shorelines. Dense boreal forest. Pine, paper birch, and understory ferns. Rises from the water's edge. Loons call at dawn. Deer move through the forest. The remoteness keeps wildlife activity visible and frequent.

Geological RegionNestled within the legendary Superior National Forest, Rice Lake forms a crucial link in an ancient chain of waterways carved by glaciers and time. This 222-acre aquatic gem, seamlessly connected to neighboring lakes through the Poplar River system, showcases the raw beauty of boreal forest ecology. Here, the bedrock of the Canadian Shield meets a tapestry of life, creating a biodiversity hotspot where northern species flourish in their element. The landscape tells a story millions of years in the making, where geological forces have sculpted a paradise for those who seek wilderness in its most authentic form.

Scenic ViewsScenic views of the lake and surrounding forest are available at both campsites.

Lodging & AccommodationsLodging accommodations, such as hotel-style lodges, are not available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are offered.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so no formal check-in time is specified.

Check-out

Sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis so no formal check-out time is specified.

Stay Limit

Nine people per site limit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Nine people per site limit.

Groups

Group sites are not available at this campground.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutTwo dispersed sites around the lake, reached by portage. Single-party design with a nine-person limit per site. No potable water or restrooms. Access difficulty and remoteness provide strong privacy.

Reservation PlatformsSites are not reservable online or through phone services as they operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are walk-up as reservations are not available and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cancellation PolicyThere is no cancellation policy as the sites are first-come, first-served.

AccessibilityAccess to Rice Lake is limited to hiking/portaging or boating. The site is not designed with accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.

Site SizeSites are described as 'single-party' in nature, designed for small groups with a nine-person limit per site.

PrivacySites are remote and accessible only by foot or boat, offering a high degree of privacy.

Total Campsites2 campsites

Recommended SitesVisitors are advised to choose sites based on proximity to portage routes for convenience.

Amenities available

Restrooms are not available at this site. Potable water is not available at this site. Access to the 2 sites on this lake is by boat or foot. Each site has a fire grate and a latrine.

Fire rings

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Rice Lake offers a limited range of activities centered on nature and backcountry recreation. Opportunities include fishing, viewing scenery, and hunting.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential dangers include interactions with wildlife, cold temperatures, and water hazards while portaging.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyFires must be made in the provided grates. No additional fire rings are allowed.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are No specified quiet hours.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are available at the Tofte Ranger District office (address: 7355 West Hwy 61 Tofte, MN 55615, phone: (218) 663-8060) during operational hours.

Trash & RecyclingCampers are required to pack out all garbage as no trash or recycling facilities are provided. 'Hang food packs, put your fire out each time you leave your campsite, treat or boil all water, wash yourself and dishes at least 150ft from any body of water, pack out all garbage and Leave No Trace.'

Water FeaturesSites are lakeside, with direct access to Rice Lake and connections to various other lakes via the Poplar River.

Camp HostNo campground hosts are available.

Cell CoverageCell phone service is not mentioned, likely unavailable due to the lake's remote location.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

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0 reviews

Limited Reviews

Rice Lake has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

No user reviews are provided in the source materials.

Review Summaries

What Campers Love

Positive aspects are not explicitly mentioned in user reviews.

Common Concerns

Negative aspects are not explicitly mentioned in user reviews.

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific reviews for individual campsites are not provided.

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No explicit user-provided tips and recommendations are available.

Seasonal Insights

Seasonal review trends are not directly addressed by users.

Camper Quotes

No user quotes are available for Rice Lake.

Accessibility Features

No reviews from users with disabilities are included.

Pet-Friendly Features

Information about pets is provided in authoritative content, but user reviews specific to pet experiences are unavailable.

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Paddlers and portage campers who want a lakeside site with loon calls at dawn and no neighbors. The Poplar River connection makes Rice Lake a logical stop on a multi-day water route, and at up to $9/night with no reservation needed, the only gamble is showing up to find one of tw

Skip if

No potable water on site and no cell coverage mean every mistake compounds. Campers who don't filter water, store food in bear canisters, or portage comfortably should find somewhere less committing.

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