Camping

Campsite at Chester Woods Park

The 2024 camping season is May 3 - October 19, 2024.

Online reservations available for Olmsted County Parks via the Parks Reservation website.

  • Reservations are non-transferable.
  • Refunds can only be given if greater than seven days prior to your stay. No refunds on booking fee. No same day refunds as all transactions have a 24-hour waiting period.
  • Reservations: three-night minimum on holiday weekends; two-night minimum on weekends; one-night minimum Sunday - Thursday.
  • Gift certificates available to purchase on the reservation website.

A new way to pay while at the campgrounds

Olmsted County Parks has implemented a new touchless online payment system to pay for firewood and more.

Parks payments

Campground rules

  • Please read and observe park rules and regulations posted at the campground restroom. Violations are misdemeanors and can result in arrest.
  • No group camping is allowed in the campground.
  • The reservation system allows one "camping unit" per site. A camping unit is defined as:
    • One tent occupying a site.
    • One trailer equipped to be lived in or slept in.
    • One car, truck, bus, or other vehicle used for living or sleeping in.
    • Exceptions would include a large family (Parents and dependent children or members living in the same household) requiring two units per site.
    • Depending on the site, additional units may be allowed. Check with the campground host or a staff member for permission and fees if additional camping units are needed.
  • Do not run extension cords between campsites.
  • Respect others' privacy.  Do not walk through someone else's campsite.
  • Season-long use is prohibited. Camping is by permit only, with site occupancy limited to 10 (ten) consecutive days. A camper must then leave the campground completely for 24 (twenty-four) hours before returning.
  • All campers planning to spend the night in the Campground must be 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them.
  • One picnic table is provided at each site. Tables may not be taken from other sites.
  • Loud and disorderly conduct is prohibited.
  • Visitors must leave the park by 10 p.m.
  • Parking
    • All campsites are back-in-sites only.  
    • Keep vehicles on the campsite's gravel pad.
    • Do not park on the grass. Except for non-electric sites where gravel pad is not provided.
    • Park extra vehicles or visitor vehicles at the Picnic Shelter parking lots or at the entrance to the campground.
  • Firewood
    • Firewood must be either purchased at the park or certified clean. (You can purchase certified clean firewood from places like Hy-Vee or KwikTrip.) No other wood may be brought into the park. You may purchase firewood at posted designated times.
    • Campfires are only allowed in the campsite fire ring. All fires must be completely extinguished prior to leaving the campground or retiring for the evening.
    • Burning trash, non woody debris, or any type of flame-enhancing object is strictly prohibited.
  • Pets
    • Pets are not allowed on the swimming beach.
    • Pets are not allowed in the Chester Wood's camper cabin or on the camper cabin's porch.
    • Pets are not allowed at Zollman Zoo (except certified service dogs).
    • Clean up your pet's waste.
    • Dogs must be leashed at all times, except in the Chester Wood's dog play area.
    • Obey the posted signs stating where dogs are allowed and not allowed. View the designated leashed pet areas here.
    • Campers with barking dogs will be asked to leave the park.
  • Noise
    • Quiet Hours are between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. - no loud music or noises.
    • Music & radios must not be played at a volume that can be heard beyond your campsite.
  • Waste 
    • Deposit garbage, refuse, and recyclables in the proper containers. These containers are located throughout the Campground.
    • Wash dishes at your campsite. Do not use the restroom building to wash your dishes. Dispose of rinse water at the Dump Station.
    • The Dump Station is for use by registered campers only. Unregistered campers may use the dump station for a $15 fee.
  • Prohibited items
    • Firearms, fireworks, explosives, slingshots, bows & arrows, and other weapons.
    • If you brought unauthorized items with you, you must register and secure them with park staff for safekeeping while you are in the park.

In case of inclement weather, Chester Woods Park and Oxbow Park are equipped with a Weather Warning Siren and Storm Shelter located at the Campground restrooms.

Failure to comply with these rules is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 under Olmsted County Parks Division Rules and Regulation Article 13. If you observe a violation, please call Park staff at 507-328-7070.

Chester Woods Park Campground

Chester Woods is located at 8378 Highway 14 East Eyota, MN 55934

Email chesterwoods@olmstedcounty.gov or Call 507-328-7350

  • Winter camping
    • Available January 2 - March 31
    • Online reservation available via the Parks Reservation website
    • Campsites 8, 9, 10, 11 and the Camper Cabins are open
    • The shower/restroom facility will NOT be open.
    • There is a port-a-potty stationed in the campground, along with one water hydrant available near the woodshed to get water.
    • The dump station is not available
    • Pricing is the same as regular camping season
    • Camper Cabin reservations need to be placed by 1:00 p.m. the day of camping to ensure staff is available to unlock the cabins and have them ready.
  • General camping costs
    • $30 per night for campsites with electricity
    • $25 per night for campsites without electricity
    • $75 per night for camper cabin
    • Parking - Free
  • Hours
    • Campsite check-in time: 3 p.m.
    • Campsite check-out time: 1 p.m.
    • Camper Cabin check-in time: 3 p.m.
    • Camper Cabin check-out time: 1 p.m.
    • Park hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
    • Beach hours:
      • Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend
      • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
      • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday
    • Watercraft Rental hours:
      • Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend
      • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Amenities include
    • 50 campground units (two are handicapped accessible and nine are non-electric)
    • Two camper cabins
    • Restrooms with showers
    • Two sets of playground equipment and several informal play fields
    • Beach (also has restrooms with showers)
    • Dog play area with water access
Chester Woods Park Campground Map

Canoe-in remote camping

There are two canoe in only remote camping sites at Chester Woods Park (Mallard Point and Beaver Point). These sites are non-reservable and available on a day by day first come basis due to weather. 

There is a picnic table, mulch tent pad, fire ring, and remote box toilet at each location. 

These sites are completely pack in pack out! $25/night payable on the day of by phone (507-328-7350) or at the park office/beach house. If a canoe is needed, you may rent one for an additional daily fee of $30 from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Canoe In Campsite Map

Oxbow Park Campground

Oxbow Park is located at 5731 County Road 105 NW in Byron, MN 55920

Email oxbow@olmstedcounty.gov or call 507-328-7340

  • Cost
    • $30 per night for campsites with electricity
    • $25 per night for campsites without electricity
    • Parking - Free
  • Hours
    • Campsite check-in time: 3 p.m.
    • Campsite check-out time: 1 p.m.
    • Park Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
    • Zoo Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Amenities include:
    • 30 campground units (15 have electricity. Three are handicapped accessible.)
    • Restrooms with showers.
    • Playscape playground next to the campground.
    • Zollman Zoo is just a short walk away.
map of Oxbow Park Campground

Youth group camping

Oxbow Park offers a group campsite for organized youth groups. Boy and Girl Scouts, 4-H groups, American Heritage Girls, or Organized Religious Youth Groups are a few examples. All group camping reservation must be made by call Oxbow Park at 507-328-7340.

  • Youth Group Camp is available for $50 per night plus a $5 booking fee.
  • Youth Group Camp users must be a part of a youth group organizations.
  • Check-in and check-out time is 1:00 PM.
  • We will make every effort to have the gate at the group camp unlocked upon your arrival. If you find that the gate has not been unlocked, please contact a staff person or stop by the Nature Center.
  • You must bring your own drinking water (bottles or carrying jugs). Potable water is available at the Nature Center and Campground.
  • Please dump wastewater into vault toilets.
  • Toilets will be clean and stocked with paper products. Hand sanitizer is a necessity.
  • Vehicles and campers must be parked in the parking lot above the group camp site.
  • Garbage and litter should be bagged and left in the barrels located in the parking lot at the conclusion of your visit. Receptacles are available for recycled material as well. Failure to clean up the site will result in no future rental opportunities.
  • Foraging for firewood is prohibited. Wood is included in your reservation. If more wood is needed, please call the office at 507-328-7340 or check with the Campground Host. Please do not burn anything other than wood in the fire rings. Burning of trash and debris is prohibited.
  • Please close the group camp gate at the conclusion of your visit.

Oxbow Park group camp amenities

  • Gravel parking lot: accommodates 30 vehicles
  • Camping space for 20 tents
  • Picnic shelter with gravel base and electricity
  • Eight picnic tables
  • Firewood provided
  • Bathrooms (pit type)
  • Large open space
  • Access to trails
  • Fire pit

View our Oxbow Trail Map to see the location of the youth group campsite.