Rice Lake

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7355 West Hwy 61 Tofte, MN 55615
Summer Destination

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

Opens Tofte Ranger District site

Official Website
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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...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS
Provider
(218) 663-8060SM.FS.Superior_NF@usda.gov
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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

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1 Google reviews

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Campground Map

7355 West Hwy 61 Tofte, MN 55615

Rice Lake

7355 West Hwy 61 Tofte, MN 55615

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.
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).

Best Time to Camp at Rice Lake

Experience the dramatic seasonal transformations that make Rice Lake a year-round destination. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, where temperatures dance between a brisk -1°F and a mild 45°F, and weekly snowfalls of 1-5 inches create a fresh canvas for wildlife tracks and cross-country adventures. As summer arrives, the forest awakens to perfect camping weather, with temperatures settling into a comfortable sweet spot between 56°F and 75°F. Clear skies dominate the season, with minimal rainfall ensuring endless opportunities for stargazing and outdoor exploration.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season is summer; lake use, paddling, and hiking are best in warm months.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Boreal forest likely offers fall color and quiet conditions; described seasonally varied.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Open from April 15; spring use possible but conditions/bugs/melt may limit appeal.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Site lists opening from April 15; winter access/operations are not indicated.

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.
  • Current Alerts: No current alerts are listed.

About Rice Lake

Escape to the untouched wilderness of Rice Lake, where adventure begins at the water's edge. This remote sanctuary beckons those seeking authentic solitude, accessible only by paddling across pristine waters or hiking forest trails. Two thoughtfully placed dispersed camping sites await, each offering just the essentials—a fire grate for evening gatherings and basic facilities—allowing nature to take center stage. Here, primitive camping reaches its purest form, where every visitor becomes a steward of the land, practicing Leave No Trace principles while creating memories that last a lifetime.
Rice Lake is a backcountry camping site with two single-party sites available. It is accessible only by foot or boat.
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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.

Amenities available

Fire rings

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.
HikingHiking is required to access the lake via portages or trails connecting to the Poplar River system.
FishingFishing is available in the lake, which spans 222 acres. Specific fish species are not detailed.
BoatingBoating is essential for accessing the lake, and campers must follow Minnesota State boating laws. This includes wearing life jackets and ensuring pet safety onboard.
Wildlife viewingThe lake's remote wilderness setting offers potential wildlife viewing opportunities.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential dangers include interactions with wildlife, cold temperatures, and water hazards while portaging.
Active AlertsNo current alerts are listed.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Rice Lake

Reviews

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0 reviews
Limited 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.

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.

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific reviews for individual campsites are not provided.

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.

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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