This study aimed to investigate the canopy growth conditions and the accuracy of phenological stages of paddy rice using ground-based remote sensing data. Plant growth variables including Leaf Area Index (LAI) and canopy reflectance of paddy rice were measured at the experimental fields of Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea during the crop seasons of 2011, 2012, and 2013. LAI values were also determined based on correlations with Vegetation Indices (VIs) obtained from the canopy reflectance. Three phenological stages (tillering, booting, and grain filling) of paddy rice could be identified using VIs and a spatial index (NIR versus red). We found that exponential relationships could be applied between LAI and the VIs of interest. This information, as well as the relationships between LAI and VIs obtained in the present study, could be used to estimate and monitor the relative growth and development of rice canopies during the growing season.