Near Claremont in Steele County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Explore Minnesota's Hardwoods at Rice Lake State Park

Minnesota State Parks

— Windows on Minnesota's Landscapes —

Explore Minnesota's Hardwoods at Rice Lake State Park Marker image. Click for full size.

April 18, 2022

1. Explore Minnesota's Hardwoods at Rice Lake State Park Marker

Inscription. Rice Lake was named for the wild rice that was harvested here until the late 1800s. Bountiful resources in the area provided a place Native Americans called home for thousands of years. The park was established in 1963 to meet the demand for local public access to this popular lake and picnic area. Today, the park forms a natural island in an agricultural community.

The park protects a small remnant of the once vast oak savanna landscape. Prairie, shrubs and open stands of oak define this rare natural community. The glacially-formed lake and wetland complex attracts large numbers of migrating waterfowl. Seven species of woodpeckers and numerous water, woodland, and prairie birds are found here. The park is noted for its spectacular show of woodland wildflowers and excellent birding opportunities.

Photos:
Birding opportunities
Spring wildflowers
Rice Lake

Erected by Minnesota State Parks, Interpretive Services Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Native Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. 44° 5.574′ N, 93° 3.839′ W. Marker is near Claremont, Minnesota

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, in Steele County. Marker is on County Highway 40, 0.2 miles south of Rose Street (County Highway 19), on the right when traveling south. Located at the park office at the Rice Lake State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8485 Rose St, Claremont MN 55924, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rice Lake--Old Village and Church (approx. 1½ miles away); National Farmer's Bank of Owatonna (approx. 8.1 miles away); Rock Island Railway Station 1901 (approx. 8.3 miles away); History of State School Rock Garden (approx. 8.6 miles away); State Schoolers U.S. Military Memorial (approx. 8.6 miles away); Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children (approx. 8.6 miles away); Main Building (approx. 8.6 miles away); There Were Many...I Was But One (approx. 8.7 miles away).

Explore Minnesota's Hardwoods at Rice Lake State Park Marker at the Rice Lake State Park Office image. Click for full size.

April 18, 2022

2. Explore Minnesota's Hardwoods at Rice Lake State Park Marker at the Rice Lake State Park Office

Rice Lake view from southern Rice Lake State Park image. Click for full size.

April 18, 2022

3. Rice Lake view from southern Rice Lake State Park

Neighboring Minnesota State Parks Marker image. Click for full size.

April 18, 2022

4. Neighboring Minnesota State Parks Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2022. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 29, 2022.