At Caron Park, Minnesota’s prairie meets the Big Woods: the park lies in a transition zone between these landscapes. The natural limestone falls, Wellstone Falls, are also located there. Rice County’s story begins with this striking contrast and continues through its parks, natural areas, and historic sites.
Parks, Trails, and Landscapes
The parks’ shorelines can also be compared by their distinct features. Albers Park covers 6.85 acres on the east shore of Union Lake and has about 720 feet of shoreline. Shager Memorial Park has around 2,000 feet of lakefront. It also serves as a rest stop along the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail. These details show two different park profiles: one defined by its area and shoreline on Union Lake, the other by its lakefront length and its role as a rest stop on the state trail.
Other nature highlights range from wetlands to protected woodland landscapes. The forests, prairies, and wetlands of the Natural Lands provide a refuge for native species. Their trails are open to everyone who wants to spend time outdoors. The trail network at Cowling Arboretum covers 15 miles. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park protects one of the last remaining sections of Minnesota’s Big Woods—another way to experience the woodland landscape that forms part of the transition zone at Caron Park.
At River Bend Nature Center, Turtle Pond is a habitat for turtles, frogs, and other small animals. Nature lovers can take in several different perspectives here: the landscapes of the Natural Lands, a named trail network at Cowling Arboretum, and the wildlife around a pond.
Collections, Historic Buildings, and Craftsmanship
The county’s history can be explored through both collections and named buildings. One museum displays Indigenous artifacts found in Rice County, dating from 10,000 BC to AD 1600. The Rice County Museum of History houses objects, photographs, and artifacts from prehistoric times to the present. The museum collections thus span a period far beyond any single era.
The Rice County Historical Society’s Historic Village includes Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, Pleasant Valley School, Volg Log Cabin, Harvest Hall, and Heritage Hall. One building offers a distinctive architectural highlight: the Alexander Faribault House was built in 1853 in the Greek Revival style. Together, these names offer different points of interest, from a church and school to a home and halls.
Local history also includes manufacturing. Since 1865, Faribault Mill has produced high-quality wool and cotton goods in a historic mill on the Cannon River. Visitors can learn about the weaving process on guided factory tours. Fleckenstein Brewery adds another chapter in the history of beverage production: it began operating in Faribault in 1856 and produced various beverages for 108 years.
A Camping Option at McCullough Park
The campground at McCullough Park has 30 sites, including 20 with water and electrical hookups and 10 seasonal sites. Camping is therefore another specifically described accommodation option in Rice County.
Discover more destinations: Faribault, Northfield, Lonsdale, Houston County, Goodhue, Clay County, Washington, Otter Tail County.
For the main travel overview: Minnesota.
