Rice Lake State Park

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