The best camping near Rice Lake State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Rice Lake State Park adventure.

100% (2 reviews)

Discover Rice Lake State Park's scenic trails and diverse wildlife.

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Stay at a public campground in Rice Lake State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Rice Lake State Park

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The Edge

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Rochester, MN

This 160 acre farm used to be a sod farm, and then a Christmas tree farm. Camping provided is in the remnants of the uncut Christmas tree forest.

93%

(43)

Lionheart

3 sites · RVs, Tents36 acres · Millville, MN

Our land is a unique find with a little bit of everything. With river access, you can enjoy swimming/water activities and wind down with the wildlife sounds and campfire crackle. We have a few standup paddle boards, and river tubes available to rent and farm fresh eggs to purchase and enjoy with your morning campfire breakfast. The best on the Zumbro! Come experience life outdoors on the river :). *Please Note: there is an active shooting range to the north of the sites which you may hear 9:00am - 6:30pm. The shots are loud and echo in the valley. **While our property and our campsites are private, the river is not. Please expect tubers, kayakers and water lovers of all ages to be on the river at anytime.

97%

(48)

field view campsite

3 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Northfield, MN

Learn more about this land:You"ll camp right next to the Horse pasture and on our field drive with wonderful views and sunsets. The field is surrounded on three sides by Rice County Wilderness Park so it is very private and quiet.

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(6)

Anthony E.’s Land

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · MN

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(21)

RadRo Farms at Hippie House

2 sites · RVsLakeville, MN

10 acre parcel with a 70’s split level house built by a former state representative. The land used to be a farm but is now mostly tall grasses and goldenrod. We have a large vegetable and berry garden and a large native flower garden. We have a chicken house and blankets of fireflies in the summer and beautiful sunsets that face the campsite. Sometimes it’s really quiet and sometimes you can hear the highway noise.

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(9)

Spring Valley Ponds

7 sites · Lodging, Tents28 acres · Spring Valley, MN

Plenty of outdoor spaces to hike, bike, fish, canoe, and paddleboard! Property adjoins to a bike trail that will take you into town and varies other places including a newly installed 18 hole Frisbee Golf Course. From Turtles, to Eagles, chances are you will see both during your stay, along with a deer or 2. A nature lover's paradise, you'll have the opportunity to fish or simply relax and take in the serene surroundings. Guests are welcome to fish the ponds, but it is limited to catch and release only. We trust that all guest will be respectful of this policy and of the land. Spring Valley creek Runs along the property and guests are welcome to fish that as well. There are seven camping sites to choose from - one of which is even located on its own island! Imagine waking up to the sound of birds chirping and the gentle rustle of leaves as you take in the breathtaking views. Located in Spring Valley just a half a mile outside of town, and just a 30 minute drive to the charming, quaint town of Lanesboro. Plenty of shopping and places to eat! This is the perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But If you want more of the city experience, Rochester is an easy 35-minute drive away and offers all the amenities and experiences of a bigger city.

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(49)

Champion Valley

4 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Lakeville, MN

Champion Valley is a 150-acre outdoor adventure park in Lakeville, MN featuring ax-throwing, airsoft, paintball, escape rooms & archery tag. We are located 5 minutes off of Interstate 35W. It is situated on 150 acres of beautiful hills and waterways covered with thousands of trees.

73%

(28)

Camp Crimson Turtle

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Hastings, MN

Established by naturalists in the 1920's this parcel features a waterfront cabin (currently being restored), a two acre spring fed pond that is stocked with fish, a small stream and great privacy. We have had this as our family paradise and now we are sharing it with you! We now offer a bohemian wagon if you would prefer to get up off the ground! Available at site 1. Learn more about this land: 8 acres of wooded privacy. Spring fed 2 acre pond, fishing, swimming, boating. Clothing optional if total site is rented. Extremely private. Electric available upon request for site number 2, other sites are quite far from electric hook up. New toilet facilities available!! We now have a flush toilet and exterior shower available for use onsite.

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(222)

The Double J

5 sites · RVs, Tents71 acres · Zumbrota, MN

Welcome to the Double J! Of the 71 acres we own, about half is tillable and the other half is woods and pastures for our horses. Within that, there is a beautiful secluded 3-acre meadow nestled down along along a beautiful 1,200 foot stretch of the Zumbro River where we have 5 spacious tent/RV campsites. While the campsites are all adjacent to each other along the river, they are each very spacious (the smallest being 100' wide and 75' deep), with some mature trees scattered around. Each sites (except Site #1) is able to accommodate up to 8 people and more than one tent or RV. There is a small meadow above all the sites where campers can play catch or other games. We provide and maintain a centrally located outhouse and keep the entire area mowed throughout the year. All sites offer great shade trees (perfectly spaced for hanging up a hammock) and access to the river - great for those hot summer days! Water activities to be enjoyed include fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and tubing (equipment not included). Some campers will drop in upstream at the Covered Bridge Park and float down to their campsite. The Zumbro River, especially in the fishing hole, offers great fishing including Trout, Small-mouth, Red-horse, and an occasional Northern or Sauger. Campers are welcome to to meander out into our pastures to pet our two horses, Shiloh and Champ. Also, we are just over a mile from town where you can visit Covered Bridge Park which has a Frisbee golf course and a nice play area for younger kids. Reserving adjacent sites, or all of the sites, makes for the ideal setting for a large family or group camp-out. In order to prevent overcrowding, we do reserve the right to limit number of sites, or campers per site based on overall parties/campers in the camping area. We will notify you if there are any limits at the time of your booking. We enjoy being able to share our property with others, and it is our desire to promote a safe, peaceful, family-friendly environment, therefore, be sure to note, we do have a NO ALCOHOL policy. PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to read the "RV Details" on the site information page as the road to the camping area may limit the type or size of RV due to a couple dips, a sharper curve, and it's steeper slope. Also, keep in mind, we reserve the right to cancel any reservations due to heavy rains or floods that may require our sites some additional time to dry out sufficiently. For updates and notice of last minute cancellations be sure to follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/DoubleJCamping As is customary for most campgrounds, we ask that if you bring in your own firewood that it be kiln dried. Dry firewood can be purchased for $5.00/bundle. TIP - Being we do not reimburse campers in the event of rain (unless campground is flooded or too muddy), we highly recommend campers take advantage of Hipcamp’s Weather Guarantee option when booking. With Minnesota’s unpredictable weather it allows you to get reimbursed for any days it rains over a specified amount, even if you choose to stick out the rain! The cost is very reasonable making it almost a no-brainer! Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions! We look forward to being able to serve you!

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Walker's Ranch

1 site · Tent9 acres · Lakeville, MN

Learn more about this land: Come stay and make memories on the Walker ranch, you can't beat the scenery and location. Explore the Walker trail that leads to the creek and lounge in the woods in the hammock. Possibilities are endless!

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Prairie Creek Forest Campground

7 sites · Tents60 acres · Nerstrand, MN

Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-in campsites on 60 acres of forest or hilltop prairie along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock", a 60 acre county park featuring waterfalls and trails, including a single track mountain bike course. That's 120 acres of exploring outside your tent; this campground truly offers a large amount of remote forest for recreation right on site. Big Woods State Park is less than 2 miles away. Faribault is 8 miles and Northfield is 9 miles from our driveway; they offer dining, boutiques, and all other amenities. Nerstrand is 4.5 miles east and has a gas station and a fantastic meat market. Numerous Cannon River put-ins are within 10 miles. Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside site 4 is up a steep hill. Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing. We do not have firewood available at the campground; please plan ahead to bring firewood with you. Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent. A map of the land is in the photos and shows locations of sites, parking and more. All Sites are Walk-In! We have a cart you may use to haul gear in. Site 1 is near the creek. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring and grill grate, picnic table. Site 2 is in the pines. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring and grill grate, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 3 is by the creek. Approximately 300 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring, steel grill ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 4 is on the hilltop. Site 4 has parking for 2 vehicles at the site. Steel fire ring with grill grate, stone fire ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. There is NOT room to park a trailer. This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by them and their father Ted. In 1961, Ted's parents bought this farm. Over the years, the arable land has been sold but we retained the wooded area which is crossed twice by a stream. About 20 years ago, a 60 acre county park was created to the south and west. The property is bordered on two sides by this county park. When Ted was in high school, the family sold the dairy cows and started a bare bones horseback riding ranch using trails in these woods as riding trails. We are very excited to host campers as a way to preserve and share this beautiful property.

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Harbor Bar

12 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Hager City, WI

Located at Harbor Bar across from Red Wing MN. said to be on one of the prettiest spots on the Mississippi river. Fish from shore in one of the best fisheries in the country. Full restaurant & bar with live music on weekends. Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent along the banks of the mighty Mississippi river. bar, restaurant, outdoor music festivals, fishing. View pretty Red Wing from across the river. Located on one of the prettiest spots on the Mississippi river.

The best camping near Rice Lake State Park guide

Overview

About

The watering hole at Rice Lake State Park is so named because for centuries Native American tribes harvested boatloads of wild rice from these shallow, marshy waters. Not ideal for swimming, this southeastern Minnesota lake is a happy place for boaters and fishers looking to bask in seclusion. Small and private, this major wetland blooms with wildflowers in the spring, making it a pretty magical spot for picnics. Walk-in, cart-in, and even canoe-in sites are available—paddling across the pond to one of the rustic cabins is your best option for a solitary retreat.

Looking for a little taste of society and culture? Head into nearby Owatonna, where the Village of Yesteryear, an historic 1800s town, offers tours to history buffs. Before you head back to your tent, grab a pint at Reggie’s Brewhouse, a Cheers-like spot with billiards and live bands, where locals make the newcomers feel plenty welcome.

When to go

The best time to visit Rice Lake State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities, though it can be busy. Winter transforms the park into a snowy wonderland, ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but be prepared for cold temperatures.

Know before you go

Highway 67 is permanently closed; follow alternative routes provided by the park for access.
Check the park's official website or contact the office for the latest updates on road closures and detours.
Remember that GPS apps may not have updated information; use the park's directions for reliable navigation.
For campers, proceed directly to your site; park staff will assist with check-in.
Stay connected with event updates by signing up for the park's newsletter.