Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge
“Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in Aitkin County in east central Minnesota, about five miles south of the community of McGregor. It was established in 1935 to preserve valuable habitat for waterfowl. The most important resource on the refuge is Rice Lake itself, a shallow, 3,600 acre wild rice-producing lake”
The refuge has more than seven miles of hiking trails, ranging in length from one-quarter mile to two and a half miles and there is a 14 mile self-guided auto tour route. “An observation deck overlooks 3,600-acre Rice Lake, where more than 70,000 ring-necked ducks and other waterfowl can be seen during the fall migration.”    Phone: 218-768-2402    Map   Refuge Website
There is a 1/4 mile accessible trail as well as number of short trails described as ranging “from level to gently sloping. Some muddy and wet areas may be encountered.”