RICE COUNTY MN

General Info

In 1844, a fur trader, Henry M. Rice arrived to the Rice County area and traveled with Alexander Faribault. Rice was elected as a senator in 1857 and the county was named in his honor. School districts were organized that same year and the construction of a courthouse followed in 1874 with Faribault as the county seat. Settlers were attracted to the rich farmland and ample water power from nearby rivers and streams. As the railroad arrived, communities began to grow where rail stations once stood. In 1931 a fire destroyed the original courthouse, but was soon rebuilt with the assistance of the Supreme Court. Today Rice County is home to approximately 62,390 residents.

Area & Trail Maps

General All Purpose Maps

Rice-Steele County Map

Resident Guides

Great and useful info for the area.

Rice-Steele County Resident Guide

Navigation

Cities

All the cities in the county and links to their sites (if available)

Residential Services

Need to know how to get ahold of certain services within County? Here’s your go to spot.

License Centers

Get your hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing and other passes/licenses in these locations.

Trapping Seasons

All the trapping dates you’ll need to know are right here.

Trail Information & Maps

Get all your trail info here. Atv, Bike, Snowmobile, Equestrian, Cross-Country Skiing and more.

Parks and Recreation

A nice central location to see all parks and recreational options are in County.

Hunting Seasons

Here’s the scoop on the hunting seasons for this county.

Fishing Seasons

Get your fishing on at the right time. Here are the details on the fishing seasons.

Local Events

Get out and enjoy what County has to offer

Area Attractions

If you really want to know what stands out in this area local attractions look no further.

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CITIES

Cities In County

Not including unincorporated communities

Cities and towns

Faribault
Northfield
Dennison
Dundas
Lonsdale
Morristown
Nerstrand

Townships

Bridgewater Township
Cannon City Township
Erin Township
Forest Township
Morristown Township
Northfield Township
Richland Township

Shieldsville Township
Walcott Township
Warsaw Township
Webster Township
Wells Township
Wheatland Township
Wheeling Township

TRAILS

ATV, Bicycling, Snowmobile, Equestrian trails and more.

More Trails Information

Click map to download PDF

Rice County has a good variety of trails for your outdoor enjoyment. Right now this includes a little bit of everything from ATV’s, Snowmobiles, Hiking, Bicycling, Equestrian and more. We’ve gathered information on where the trails are at for your enjoyment. If you happen to know of any we missed please pass it on to us. Also remember to be responsible while using the trails.

EVENTS

Local Events

If you’re looking for some entertainment here’s a list of events going on.

Featured Events:

1 2 3

January

Faribo Sno-Go Club Radar Run | Faribault
Owatonna Business Partnership Armory Sale

February

Gala | Faribault
Historical Society Dinner | Owatonna
Little Theatre | Owatonna

March

North America Farm & Power Show | Owatonna
KOWZ-KRUE Home & Rec Show | Owatonna
Spring Stampede Shopping Promotion | Owatonna

April

Minnesota Alpaca Exposition | Owatonna
Little Theatre | Owatonna
Spring Stampede Shopping Promotion | Owatonna

May

Rice County Steam & Gas Engine, Inc. Show | Dundas
Business Awards Luncheon | Faribault
Corky’s Softball Tournament | Owatonna

June

Free Golf for Dad | Faribault
Straight River Days | Medford
Morristown Dam Days
Taste of Northfield
Thursday on the Square | Northfield
11 at 7 Concert Series | Owatonna

July

August

September

Rice County Steam & Gas Engine, Inc. Show | Dundas
Thursday on the Square | Northfield
Defeat of Jesse James Days | Northfield
Upper Midwest Rabbit & Kavy Show | Owatonna

October

Taste of Faribault
River Bend Ramble | Faribault
Faribault Chili Fall Festival
Enchanted Forest | Faribault
Cemetery Stories | Northfield
Harvest Fest | Owatonna

November

Downtown Holly Days | Faribault
Holiday Gathering | Faribault
IRIS 5k Turkey Trot | Faribault
Bazaar Bake Sale & Luncheon | Medford
Shop Owatonna for the Holidays

December

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

Rice County Residential Services

A little bit of contact information for all purpose residential needs.

Administration (507) 332-6101
Assessor 332-6102
Attorney 332-6103
Auditor/Treasurer 332-6104
Board of Commissioners 332-6100
Corrections 332-6106
Court Administration 332-6107
Development 332-6126
Environmental Services 332-6113
Highway 332-6110
Human Resources 332-6123

Information Technology 333-3777
Parks & Recreation 332-6105
Planning &Zoning 332-6113
Public Health 332-6111
Recorder 332-6114
Sheriff 332-6010
Social Services 332-6115
Solid Waste 332-6833
University of Minnesota Extension 332-6109
Veteran Services 332-6117

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Area Attractions

Experience some of the great opportunities and adventures that await in the county.

CABELA’S

3900 Cabela Dr. | Owatonna | (507) 451-4545

CARLETON COLLEGE

1 College St. N | Northfield | (507) 222-4000

COWLING ARBORETUM AT CARLETON COLLEGE

1 College St. N | Northfield | (507) 222-4543

DUNDAS DOG PARK

County Rd. 1 | Dundas | (507) 645-2852

FIRESIDE ORCHARD & GARDENS

225 Lonsdale Blvd. | Northfield | (507) 663-1376

GOODSELL OBSERVATORY AT CARLETON COLLEGE

1 College St. N | Northfield | (507) 222-4000

JAPANESE GARDEN AT CARLSON COLLEGE

1 College St. N | Northfield | (507) 222-4000

LITTLE THEATRE OF OWATONNA

560 Dunnell Dr. #A | Owatonna | (507) 451-0764

LORENCE’S BERRY FARM

28625 Foliage Ave. | Northfield | (507) 656-9749

MEDFORD SWIMMING POOL

25 NW 2nd St. | Medford | (507) 455-0193

NORTHFIELD ARENA

1280 Hwy. 3 S | Northfield | (507) 645-6556

NORTHFIELD ARTS GUILD

304 Division St. | Northfield | (507) 645-8877

NORTHFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM

408 Division St. | Northfield | (507) 645-9268

NORTHFIELD OLD MEMORIAL PARK POOL

801 7th St. E | Northfield | (507) 645-1837

NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

1510 St. Olaf Ave. | Northfield | (507) 786-3221

OLD TRONDHJEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

8501 Garfield Ave. | Lonsdale | (507) 744-2310

OWATONNA ARTS CENTER & SCULPTURE GARDEN

435 Garden View Lane | Owatonna | (507) 451-0533

PARSON’S ELK RANCH

2431 50th St. NE | Owatonna | (507) 451-1632

ST. OLAF COLLEGE

1520 St. Olaf Ave. | Northfield | (507) 786-2222

SCIENCE CENTER AT MALTBY NATURE PRESERVE

789 Sciota Trail E | Randolph | (507) 664-0770

SERENGETI WATER PARK

2365 43rd St. NW | Owatonna | (507) 446-8900

STANTON AIRFIELD

1235 Hwy. 19 | Stanton | (507) 645-4030

STATE SCHOOL ORPHANAGE MUSEUM

540 Hills Circle W | Owatonna | (800) 423-6466

VILLAGE OF YESTERYEAR

1448 Austin Rd. | Owatonna | (507) 451-1420

PARKS AND RECREATION

Parks and Recreation

*For more information on County Parks, visit: http://www.co.rice.mn.us/

ACKMAN PARK

County Rd. 12 | Faribault
Located on 1 acre near Cannon and Wells Lakes, Ackman Park features a fishing pier, picnic areas and wildlife viewing.

ALBERS PARK

County Rd. 6 | Webster Township
Located on 6 acres near Union Lake, Albers Park features a reservable picnic shelter, boat launch, hiking trail, playground equipment, grills and wildlife viewing.

BEAVER LAKE PARK

County Rd. 28 | Ellendale
Located on 17 acres near Beaver Lake, Beaver Lake Park features a boat launch, fishing pier, swimming beach with beach house, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, reservable picnic shelters, hiking trails, playground equipment and wildlife viewing.

CANNON RIVER WILDERNESS AREA

Hwy. 3 | Dundas
Located on 850 acres near the Cannon River, the Cannon River Wilderness Area features a campground, reservable picnic shelter, boat launch, hiking and equestrian trails, horseshoe pits and wildlife viewing.

CARON PARK

County Rd. 88 | Cannon City Township
Located on 60 acres, Caron Park features a waterfall, reservable picnic shelter, hiking trails and wildlife viewing.

CIRCLE LAKE PARK

County Rd. 1 | Forest Township
Located on 2 acres near Circle Lake, Circle Lake Park features a boat launch, fishing pier and wildlife viewing.

CRANE CREEK PARK

Hwy. 14 | Owatonna
Located on 4 acres, Crane Creek Park features a reservable picnic shelter, grills, softball field and wildlife viewing.

FAIRGROUNDS PARK

County Rd. 6 | Owatonna
Located on 22 acres, Fairgrounds Park features a reservable picnic shelter with grills, softball and baseball fields, picnic areas, concessions, volleyball court and playground equipment.

FALLS CREEK PARK

Hwy. 60 | Faribault
Located on 63 acres on Falls Creek, Falls Creek features a reservable picnic shelter, hiking trails and wildlife viewing.

HERON ISLAND BIRD SANCTUARY

County Rd. 64 | Erin Township
The Heron Island Bird Sanctuary serves as a conservation area for Great Blue Herons and American Eagle Egrets on Shields Lake.

HIRDLER PARK

Hwy. 21 | Erin Township
Located on 5 acres near Lake Mazaska, Hirdler Park features a reservable picnic shelter, lake access, playground equipment, horseshoe pits and wildlife viewing.

HOPE SCHOOL PARK

Hwy. 3 | Dundas
Located on 1 acre, Hope School Park features a reservable picnic shelter, schoolhouse, grill, softball field and wildlife viewing.

KALINA PARK

Hwy. 59 | Wheatland Township
Located on 1 acre near Phelps Lake, Kalina Park features picnic areas, lake access and wildlife viewing.

KING MILL PARK

Hwy. 3 | Faribault
Located along the Cannon River, King Mill Park features the King Mill Dam, fishing pier, reservable picnic shelter and wildlife viewing.

MCCULLOGH PARK

County Rd. 64 | Erin Township
Located on 104 acres near Shields Lake, McCullough Park features a campground, picnic areas, lake access, horseshoe pits and wildlife viewing.

MINERAL SPRINGS PARK

Cherry St. NE | Owatonna
Located on 48 acres, Mineral Springs Park features reservable picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, playground equipment and wildlife viewing.

NERSTRAND BIG WOODS STATE PARK

County Rd. 88 | Nerstrand
Located on 2,882 acres, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park features a campground, hiking and snowmobile trails, picnic areas, playground equipment, visitor center and wildlife viewing.

OWATONNA SKATE PARK

Cherry St. NE | Owatonna
The Owatonna Skate Park features equipment rentals and seasonal/daily passes for skateboarding and inline skating.

RICE LAKE STATE PARK

Rose St. | Owatonna
Located on 1,071 acres, Rice Lake State Park features a campground, picnic areas and wildlife viewing.

RIVER SPRINGS WATER PARK

St. Paul Rd. | Owatonna
The River Springs Water Park features water slides, lazy river, lily pad walk, volleyball court and an activity pool with water basketball.

SAKATAH LAKE STATE PARK

Hwy. 60 | Morristown
Located on 842 acres on Sakatah Lake, Sakatah Lake State Park features a campground, hiking trails, picnic areas, lake access and wildlife viewing.

SHAGER PARK

Hwy. 60 | Warsaw Township
Located on 3 acres near Cannon Lake, Shager Park features a campground, reservable picnic shelter, boat launch, fishing pier, swimming beach, hiking and snowmobiling trails and wildlife viewing.

VELZKE PARK

County Rd. 28 | Faribault
Located on 2 acres on Wells Lake, Velzke Park features picnic areas and wildlife viewing.

LICENSES

License Centers

You can purchase hunting and fishing licenses, cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers through the Electronic License System. Online: dnr.wi.gov, Toll Free: 1 (888) 936-7463 or visit one of the ELS agents available throughout County:

BLOOMING PRAIRIE

B TO Z HARDWARE
323 Main St. E | Blooming Prairie | (507) 583-4469

DUNDAS

KMART #3777
404 Schilling Dr. | Dundas | (507) 645-8484

ELLENDALE

BEN’S BAIT BOX
303 5th Ave. W | Ellendale | (507) 688-3559

FARIBAULT

B & B SPORTING GOODS
405 Central Ave. | Faribault | (507) 334-6596

DONAHUE ACE HARDWARE
421 2nd Ave. NW | Faribault | (507) 332-7474

HOLIDAY STATIONSTORE #135
707 4th St. NW | Faribault | (507) 334-7789

HOY’S HIDE AWHILE RESORT
17000 Elmore Way | Faribault | (507) 334-7692

JOHN’S BAIT & TACKLE
19826 Roberds Lake Blvd. | Faribault | (507) 332-6787

LAKE COUNTRY CONVENIENCE & BAIT
15090 Shieldsville Blvd. | Faribault | (507) 384-7877

NAGEL’S LIVE BAIT
2030 7th St. NW | Faribault | (507) 334-8341

ROBERDS LAKE RESORT
18192 Roberds Lake Blvd. | Faribault | (507) 332-8978

WALMART #1657
150 Western Ave. | Faribault | (507) 332-0232

LONSDALE

LONSDALE HARDWARE & APPLIANCE
P.O. Box 79 | Lonsdale | (507) 744-2373

MEDFORD

BOB ANHORN’S SERVICE, INC.
216 Main St. S | Medford | (507) 451-1651

MORRISTOWN

AHLMAN GUNS
9525 230th St. W | Morristown | (507) 685-4243

NORTHFIELD

ARROW ACE HARDWARE
670 Water St. S | Northfield | (507) 645-0617

HOLIDAY STATIONSTORE #60
100 Water St. | Northfield | (507) 663-1151

OWATONNA

ARROW ACE HARDWARE
508 Cedar Rd. N | Owatonna | (507) 451-4966

CABELA’S RETAIL, INC.
3900 Cabela Dr. | Owatonna | (507) 451-4545

HOLIDAY STATIONSTORE #373
695 Bridge St. W | Owatonna | (507) 446-1061

MILLS FLEET FARM
2121 Bridge St. W | Owatonna | (507) 455-1285

OWATONNA TRUE VALUE
121 Oakdale St. | Owatonna | (507) 451-7978

RANDALL’S LICENSE BUREAU
1825 Elm St. S | Owatonna | (507) 451-2040

STEELE COUNTY AUDITOR
630 Florence Ave. | Owatonna | (507) 444-7410

WALMART SUPERCENTER #982
1130 Frontage Rd. W | Owatonna | (507) 455-0049