Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge in Aitkin County, Minnesota.
The refuge encompasses 18,208 acres of wetlands, forests, and grasslands, centered around a 3,600-acre wild rice lake in east central Minnesota.
Established in 1935, the refuge has protected essential waterfowl habitats and migration corridors through federal conservation management for nearly nine decades.
The American Bird Conservancy recognizes this location as a Globally Important Bird Area due to its wild rice resources for migrating waterfowl populations.
Visitors can explore 14 miles of scenic roads and 7 miles of walking trails throughout the refuge, which remains open daily from sunrise to sunset.
The refuge houses one of the oldest animal populations on Earth, with native bigmouth buffalo fish averaging 80 years of age.
Location: Aitkin County
Location: Pine County
Inception: 1935
Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/rice_lake
GPS coordinates: 46.53080,-93.33740
Latest update: March 6, 2025 05:02
Milford Mine
48.5 km
Father Hennepin State Park
44.5 km
Savanna Portage State Park
36.8 km
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
49.3 km
Moose Lake State Park
47.1 km
Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
44.6 km
Fond du Lac State Forest
44.7 km
Savanna State Forest
33.2 km
Aitkin County Courthouse and Jail
28.6 km
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
22.2 km
Deerwood Auditorium
43.5 km
Patrick Casey House
28.1 km
Cuyuna Iron Range Municipally-Owned Elevated Metal Water Tanks
47.3 km
Kenney Lake Overlook
44.9 km
Aitkin Carnegie Library
28.5 km
Pine-Hickory Lakes Roadside Parking Area
32.2 km
Arthyde Stone House
27.3 km
Potter/Casey Company Building
28.3 km
Ironton Sintering Plant Complex
49 km
St. Alban's Bay Culvert
46.9 km
Bridge No. 3355-Kathio Township
49.6 km
Solana State Forest
25.1 km
Rialto Theatre
28.3 km
Cromwell Lookout Tower
43.3 km
White Pine Lookout Tower
23.7 km
Sandy Lake Lookout Tower
23.8 km
Emily Lookout Tower
48.5 km
Ball Bluff Lookout Tower
46 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes