Looking for an adventure that pauses time and transports you away from the hustle and bustle? Load up your kayaks (or rent them from JNT's Parkside Marina) and head to oak-filled peninsula, Dr. O.R. Rice Memorial Picnic Area on Rice Lake.

Rice Lake

Snuggled up to the Kettle Moraine State Forest, this 144 acre lake takes 1-2hrs to circle depending on your desired level of leisure and offers a wildlife experience you rarely find on nearby lakes. Complete with cranes, herons, sunning turtles, egrets, jumping fish, damselflies and dragonflies, and the occasional beaver, you’ll swear you’ve ventured into a documentary on wild Wisconsin.

Launch Point

Gear up on the peninsula and launch into Rice Lake from the “beach” (an eroded, gravelly spot perfect for wading on a hot day). Paddle to the right where you’ll spend a majority of your time hugging the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

The Experience

On a busy day, you might share the lake with jet skiers or fisher-people in their motorboat. Most often, though, you’ll find you have the entire lake to yourselves.

At golden hour, the calm of Rice Lake delivers only the sounds of your kayak gliding over the water. If you’re lucky, you may witness a gorgeous Wisconsin sunset as it casts a rich glow over the lake.

Pause your paddle, lean back, and take it all in.