Camping

Campground Season at Olmsted County Parks is April 30, 2021 to October 24, 2021.

Reservations for the 2021 season are now open by phone only.

Reservations

Olmsted County Parks campground reservations are now available. Currently we are unable to process credit cards online via the reservation website so please call 507-328-7070 to make reservations by phone.  Reservations will be taken via phone only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 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.

A new way to pay while at the campgrounds

Olmsted County Parks has implemented a new touchless payment system to pay for firewood, park passes (waived for 2021) 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

• 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 10:00 p.m.
• 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 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 from the Campground Host at 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.

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
  • Parking - Free
• 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

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.

For more information, contact oxbow@co.olmsted.mn.us or 507-328-7340