Lands_Content Page_Rice Beds Creek Wildlife Area

Rice Beds Creek Wildlife Area

The entrance to the Rice Beds Wildlife Area.

 

Rice Beds Creek Wildlife Area is a 3,181-acre property in Polk County. It consists of rolling oak, aspen, and maple upland forest, lowland forest, streams and ponds.

Find it 6 miles northwest of Turtle Lake. Head north on Highway T for 7 miles to Highway G, then travel west for 2 miles. There are five parking areas along Highway G on the south side of the road. To reach the wildlife area from Range, travel north on Highway D for 4 miles to Highway V. The property can be accessed by traveling 1/2 mile east on Highway V to a parking lot on the north side of the road or by continuing to the parking area on Highway D.

Rice Beds Creek runs through this property and allows visitors to fish and trap, along with this, the surrounding forests offer great deer and turkey hunting. There was a blow-down event in 2019. Salvage logging was done on much of the property making it easier to access and allowing for the forest to regenerate more quickly.

Note: No bikes or e-bikes are allowed on the property. 

Management Objectives

Rice Beds Creek Wildlife Area was established in 1951 to acquire and protect deer wintering habitat. Later, the project was expanded for multiple use benefits such as upland game, waterfowl and furbearers. The area is popular with deer and grouse hunters because of the favorable habitat created by forest management. A well-maintained trail system is accessible from the main parking lot on Highway G. Access is by foot traffic only.

For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.

Recreation

The Rice Beds Creek Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:

Note: No bikes or e-bikes are allowed on the property. 

  • Birding
  • Canoeing
  • Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
  • Fishing
  • Hiking (no designated trail)
  • Hunting (noted for deer, bear, turkey and waterfowl)
  • Kayaking
  • Trapping
  • Wild edibles/gathering
  • Wildlife viewing

Amenities

  • Bathroom - none.
  • Parking lot - yes.
  • Campground and size - none.
  • Trails, Types and Lengths -  yes.

Maps

Download [PDF] a map of this property.

If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.

 

Find out more about how to adopt this wildlife area.