Snow Depth and Groomed Trail Conditions
Rice Lake State Park
Trail conditions:
Snow pack is condensing quickly with the warm weather. Without new snow, grooming will become increasingly difficult.
Snowmobile: Ducks Unlimited volunteers have been out on many of the trails today maintaining wood duck boxes with ATVs. They have not been groomed and probably will not be until there is another significant snowfall... 6+ inches. Packed winter (non-motorized): Trails were packed on Wed (3/1), but some of them have been impacted by the DU wood duck box maintenance. In general, they will be a mix of snow, ice, and bare ground/mud especially along the lake trail which gets the most sun and wind. The best option for skiing would be to use the picnic road to the picnic lot and take the trail to the north (left) up to the campground and around A Loop to the trail to the lake. Once at the lake trail, you may have to hike it back to the boat launch - probably not great for skiing. Also, the trail from A Loop to lake is downhill and potentially icy at the intersection with the lake trail.| Skiing |
|---|
| Trail conditions: poor |
| Trail groomed? no |
| Trail base: 0-4" |
| Trail mileage: 0 |
| Difficulty: beginner (track) |
| Snowmobiling |
|---|
| Trail conditions: poor |
| Trail groomed? no |
| Trail base: 0-4" |
| Trail mileage: 3 |
The trail(s):
Trails are a mixture of forest, lake shore and grasslands. A variety of wildlife may be observed throughout the park.
Facilities:
- The warming shelter, located in the boat launch area, is OPEN and available for use.
- Ski passes are not required on our packed winter trails because the trails are not groomed for cross country skiing.
- Rental equipment is not available.
- There is no winter camping at Rice Lake. Campgrounds are closed for the season and will reopen in the spring.
Last updated on March 04, 2023. Local snow depth is 10-12".
Getting there
8485 Rose St.
Owatonna, MN 55060
From Interstate 35, take exit 42A and turn east onto Hoffman Dr.
Parking is available in the boat launch area.
Contact
Phone: (507) 414-6191
Email: [email protected]
Contact station hours vary. Please phone park office.