Major city · United States
Rice Lake
Skip unless you have a specific reason (family, fishing, Wild Rivers trail). One night is enough if passing through on US 53.
Rice Lake is a small city in northwest Wisconsin, set on the western shore of its namesake lake. It serves as a pit stop on US 53 between Duluth and Eau Claire. The main draws are the Wild Rivers State Trail, the Barron County Fair in July, and a few local eateries. Most travellers pass through in under an hour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow)
- Airports
- EAU · DLH
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Rice Lake911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Rice Lake, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEAU Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (About 1 hour drive south; limited commercial flights.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Norske Nook$2–4
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$62
- Mid-range bedMotel single room, a night, per roomUS$70
- High-end bedMotel single room, a night, per roomUS$100
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EAU Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (About 1 hour drive south; limited commercial flights.) · DLH Duluth International Airport (About 1.5 hours north; more flight options.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
not flagged
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rice Lake: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
8 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
7 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
8 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. US 53 runs north-south through town. The Wild Rivers State Trail is for biking or walking. Downtown is walkable but spread out.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1 h
US 53 south, about 1 hour
Larger city with music scene and riverfront.
Door to door: 1.5 h
US 53 north, about 1.5 hours
Lake Superior access and the start of the Wild Rivers Trail.
Door to door: 1.5 h
US 63 south then west, about 1.5 hours
Small river town with art galleries; half-day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US 53 corridor (Hammond Ave)
Motels like Pullman Motel; easy on/off the highway.
Downtown (Main St)
Limited options; closer to restaurants and the lake.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$80 | US$80 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Meal at Norske Nook (pie + coffee)2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Barron County Fair entry2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$37 |
| Trip total≈ US$204 per person per day, bed included | US$407 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Norske Nook | $2–4 |
| Pie slice at Norske Nook | $5–7 |
| Mexican meal at Casa Mexicana | $10–15 |
| Pizza at Drag's | $12–20 |
| Motel room (single) | $50–100 |
| Gallon of gascheck | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter driving: US 53 can be icy; check conditions.
- Barron County Fair is only one week in July; plan around it if you want that experience.
- Restaurants close early; Norske Nook closes at 8 PM.
- No public transit within town.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Rice LakeRice Lake
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, please.Take me to this address, please.
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pullman Motel (single): $40–50 per night (check)
- Norske Nook pie: $5–7
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Rice Lake. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Norske Nook, Casa Mexicana, Pullman Motel with verified hours and prices.
- Wild Rivers State Trail page with trailhead coordinates and surface conditions.
- Barron County Fair page with 2026 dates and ticket info.
- Fishing guide page for Rice Lake (licence, boat ramps, species).
Sources
Ask about Rice Lake
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