Camping

Campground Season in Olmsted County is from April 30, 2021 to October 17, 2021.

Reservations open Monday, January 4, 2021 at 8:00 AM by phone only.

COVID-19 Update

All County Parks buildings and offices are currently closed until further notice.   

Reservations

Olmsted County Parks will be opening campground reservations on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 8:00 AM.  We are unable to process credit cards online at this time so please call 507-328-7070 to make reservations by phone.  Reservations will be taken via phone only from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday – Friday. Thank you for your patience as we work to make online credit card payments possible in the future.

  • Reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Reservations: three-night minimum on holiday weekends; two-night minimum on weekends; one-night minimum Sunday - Thursday.
View Campsite Availability
Parks QR code

A new way to pay while at the campgrounds

For the protection of all Olmsted County park visitors and to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Olmsted County Parks department has implemented a new touchless payment system to pay for firewood, park passes, and more. To access the touchless parks payment system, simply use the camera function on your phone and hold it up to the QR code. When the website for the QR code pops up, click it and you will be taken to the new parks payment website. From there, you will select either Chester Woods Park or Oxbow Park.

Otherwise, simply visit the Park Payments webpage to pay online.

Campground Rules

  • No group camping on individual campsites.
  • Maximum of two tents per campsite.  Maximum of 10 people per campsite. All occupants on the site must be from the same household.
  • Do not run extension cords between campsites.
  • Respect others' privacy.  Do not walk through someone else's campsite.
  • Parking
    • All campsites are back-in-sites only.  
    • Keep vehicles on the campsite's gravel pad.
    • Do not park on the grass.
    • Park extra vehicles at the Picnic Shelter parking lots.
  • 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.
  • 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.
    • 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.

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 507-328-7350.

About Chester Woods Campground

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

  • Cost
    • $30 per night for campsites with electricity
    • $25 per night for campsites without electricity
    • $75 per night for camper cabin
    • $5 vehicle permit, per day, per vehicle or you can purchase a $25 annual vehicle permit for each vehicle. (Senior citizens can purchase an annual vehicle permit for $20.) 
  • Hours
    • Campsite check-in/check-out time: 1 p.m.
    • Camper Cabin check-in time: 4 p.m. Check-out time: 10 a.m.
    • Park hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
    • Beach hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Rental hours: 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

For more information, contact chesterwoods@co.olmsted.mn.us or 507-328-7350.

About Oxbow Park Campground

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

  • Cost
    • $30 per night for campsites with electricity
    • $25 per night for campsites without electricity
    • Parking - Free
  • Hours
    • Campsite check-in/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