Rice Lake
- May–Sep
- best months
Caution at last check
Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 23 h ago
Is Rice Lake open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Superior National Forest. It doesn't name Rice Lake, so check the source for the area it covers.
Post Wildfire Closures, Effective October 1, 2026
Agency closure covering Superior National Forest · Order 09-09-00-26-11 · USFS · Superior National Forest
Forest Road Improvement Projects
Agency alert covering Superior National Forest · USFS · Superior National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Superior National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Rice Lake is a fishing lake in the Tofte Ranger District of Superior National Forest in Minnesota, managed by the Forest Service. It is one of the Backcountry sites, a near-wilderness single-party site accessible only by foot or boat. The lake has two sites, each with a fire grate, a latrine and possibly a picnic table. These sites are first come, first served. The Forest Service reminds visitors to hang food packs, put out fires, treat or boil water, wash dishes and themselves at least 150 feet from water, and pack out all garbage. A Forest Map helps locate campsites and accesses, and it can be purchased online at the National Forest Store or at district offices. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 73°F with lows near 54°F in July to about 62°F and 44°F in September. The Crescent to Rice Lake Canoe Route and the Clara Lk Rd-Silver Lake hike are both about 1.2 miles away. Clara Lake Rustic Campground is 2.1 miles off, and Crescent Lake Campground is 2.6 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Sawbill Canoe Outfitters7 mi away
- NorWester Lodge and Canoe Outfitters23 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Rice Lake
Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
17° / -3°
Feb
21° / -1°
Mar
33° / 11°
Apr
44° / 24°
May
58° / 38°
Jun
66° / 48°
Jul
73° / 54°
Aug
71° / 52°
Sep
62° / 44°
Oct
49° / 33°
Nov
34° / 20°
Dec
22° / 7°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lutsen 3nne, MN, 8.5 mi away at 1,300 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
Forest-wide Fire Restrictions
Superior National Forest · Order dated July 12, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Aug 25, 2026 · Forest Service
Keep exploring — more waters worth the drive
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Crescent Lake
~6 min drive
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Crescent Lake
~5 min drive
Crescent Lake is a 745-acre lake near Lutsen Township, Minnesota, at about 1,777 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Sea Gull Lake
~42 min drive
Sea Gull Lake is a 3,984-acre lake in Minnesota.
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Gunflint Lake
~38 min drive
Gunflint Lake is a 4,023-acre lake in Minnesota.
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White Pine Lake Fishing Pier
~7 min drive
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Kinogami Lake
~10 min drive
Kinogami Lake is a 107-acre lake near Lutsen Township, Minnesota, at about 1,799 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Cascade River
~23 min drive
Cascade River is a river in Minnesota.
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Sawbill Lake Fishing Pier
~12 min drive
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Cascade Lake
~15 min drive
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Hogback Lake Fishing Pier
~33 min drive
