Rice Creek is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-designated State Natural Area that features a large, high-quality wetland complex of conifer swamps, fens, and sedge meadows along a two-mile stretch of Rice Creek.

The creek contains dense, lush beds of emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation, including wild rice.

White cedar, balsam fir, black spruce, and tamarack are the dominant trees in the conifer swamp.

Other notable plant species include: bog arrowgrass, naked miterwort, marsh cinquefoil, purple clematis, and downy willowherb (Epilobium strictum).

Notable animal species present include: barred owl, Canada jay, pine siskin, winter wren, and bog copper.