Chester Woods Park

Mission

The mission of Olmsted County Parks is to foster an appreciation of
the natural world through environmental education, natural resource
management, and public participation in the stewardship of our park lands.

Vision

Learning life-long lessons in natural places.

Chester Woods Park
8378 Highway 14 East
Eyota, MN 55934
Phone: (507) 285.7050
or
Email: chesterwoods@co.olmsted.mn.us  

Chester Woods Park is located on the headwaters of Bear Creek in the rugged bluff country of Southeastern Minnesota. 

 Park Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Beach Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Rental Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Chester Woods Campground is currently CLOSED.

Camping Season for 2013
Open - May 17th, 2013
Close - October 12th, 2013 

__________________________________________________

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - Online Reservations Return!!

Online Reservations resume on January 2nd, 2013. Please go to Olmsted County Public Works ePermitting on January 2nd, 2013 and follow the links. Credit Card purchases only for Online Camping Reservations. A small fee will be added to purchase - see details on site listed above.

__________________________________________________

All vehicles entering the park are required to display either an annual or daily entrance permit. Currently, annual or daily entrance permits, rentals, or camping fees can be paid for at the Park entrance by cash or check only. No credit cards are accepted at the Park.

$5.00 daily or $25.00 annually.
$5.00 daily or $20.00 annually for Senior Citizens
(65 or older).

Chester Woods Park Brochure  1644KB

  Chester Woods Campground Rules 997Kb

 Camping Permit 16Kb

• Small game hunting is prohibited in the park, but deer hunting on a lottery basis is allowed to keep populations in check.
• Violation of park regulations is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and/or jail term. 

Background

• Purchased from private developers to assist in the flood control project for the City of Rochester, Chester Woods was finished in late 1994. Federal funding was used in the construction of the park and dam. Total cost of the project was approximately $5,000,000.

Flora and Fauna

• Whitetail Deer
• Wild Turkeys
• Remnant Communities of native prairie plants are scattered throughout the park. These remnants are managed to reduce invasion by other species and encourage propagation of the prairie.

The link above takes you to the Rochester Stormwater website where you can learn about making a 'rain' garden.