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State Parks, Forests & Recreation Areas

Rice Lake State Park

Physical Location

Location Address

43000 235th Ave
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Areas Served

Winnebago

Phone(s)

641-581-4835

Email

Pilot_Knob@dnr.iowa.gov
Website
Make a Reservation
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Check before you go

Park Alerts & Notices

For current closures or important information please visit, Park Alerts and Notices.

Park Alerts & Notices

About the Park

Rice Lake State Park in Winnebago County is a small, 15-acre park on the southern shore of Rice Lake, perfect for a picnic or family gathering. 

The park is home to a stone shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Rice Lake is one of Iowa’s few natural shallow lakes, and is a refuge for many wildlife species and migrating birds.

Contact Information

Pilot Knob State Park
2148 340th St
Forest City, IA 50436
641-581-4835

Plan Your Visit

  • Fish for bass, bluegill, walleye, and yellow perch on Rice Lake. Be sure to check length and possession limits for fish caught in this lake.
  • Boat in the 1200-acre natural lake. Rice Lake allows any size motor and is popular for water activities such as water skiing, jet skiing and fishing. A public boat ramp can be found on the lake’s north shore and a second public boat ramp is available on the lake’s south shore.
  • Bird-watch the variety of songbirds and migratory birds in Rice Lake State Park. A variety of migratory waterfowl are known to make Rice Lake a stop along their routes.
  • Reserve the lodge at Rice Lake for your next family gathering. Built in 1934 by the CCC, the open-air shelter is available April through October and can be reserved through the online reservation system for Rice Lake State Park.

Amenities at a Glance

  • Picnic area
  • Picnic shelter
  • Pit toilets
  • Docks
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Know Before You Go

Beach Monitoring

Before you head out to enjoy Iowa's beaches, check the beach monitoring report. Get updates on beach conditions, closures, and water safety.

View beach reports

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Get Directions

Physical Location

Location Address

43000 235th Ave
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Areas Served

Winnebago

Phone(s)

641-581-4835

Email

Pilot_Knob@dnr.iowa.gov
Website
Make a Reservation

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Iowa DNR Customer Service

6200 Park Avenue
Suite 200
Des Moines, IA 50321

Phone

515-725-8200

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