Chester Woods County Park
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About
Chester Woods Park is located on the headwaters of Bear Creek in the rugged bluff country of Southeastern Minnesota. There are approximately 15 miles of primitive trails winding through a variety of inviting natural habitats in the undeveloped areas of the park, including fields full of native grasses and flowers, oak woods, bluff prairie, and savanna where you may see grasshopper sparrows, bobolinks, fox snakes, painted turtles, white-tail deer, wild turkeys, broad-winged hawks, wood ducks, mergansers, red-eye vireos, and veeries. A mile-long hard-surfaced trail links the campground, boat launch, fishing pier, and picnic areas. Motor vehicles and bicycles are restricted to improved roads and designated trails only.
There is no entrance fee to the park.
- 1330-acre park
- 110-acre lake
- 50-unit campground and restrooms with showers
- 41 campsites with electrical hookup
- 9 non-electric campsites
- 2 camper cabins: the Oak cabin sleeps 5, the Maple cabin sleeps 6, both are handicap accessible & have heater/A/C units
- 2 remote non-electric canoe-in campsites
- 7 picnic shelters (reservable) with picnic tables and fire pits
- Swimming beach with restrooms and showers
- Boat launch and fishing, including fishing piers
- Canoe, paddleboard, kayak, paddleboat rentals
- 15 miles of hiking trails
- 5 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or fat tire biking
- 3.5 miles of dog trails
- 8.5 miles of equestrian trails
- Bridle permits are required for each mount, $6 daily or $30 annual. Permits are not transferable. Please see the link below to purchase permits. On dual-use trails shared with horses, give horseback riders warning of your approach and give them the right of way to assure safety.
- Many native plant and animal species
- Wood for picnic fires must be certified clean. During the camping season, firewood can be purchased at the woodshed. Clean wood can also be purchased from places like Hy-Vee and Kwik Trip. Foraging for firewood is strictly prohibited!
- Online reservations available
Mobility Access to Chester Woods
Are mobility issues keeping you from enjoying Chester Woods Park? We have a trac-chair available for check out if you have mobility issues. This would allow you to enjoy Chester Woods Park and all it has to offer. Please call the park to reserve. This trac-chair is available at no cost.
https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/residents/parks-recreation/parks/chester-woods-park
Dates
Daylight - 10pm
The campground is open the 1st weekend in May through the 3rd weekend in October
Rates
Campsites/cabin check-in: 3:00 PM, check-out: 1:00 PM
$25/night for a non-electric site
$30/night for an electric site
$75/night for a camping cabin
1-night min weeknights, 2-nights min weekends, 3-nights min on holiday weekends
10 consecutive days maximum
Closed in the winter to camping
In the winter, we have numerous groomed hiking & cross
country skiing trails
$75 per 1/2 day picnic shelter - early 5:00 AM - 2 PM, late 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
$125 per full-day picnic shelter - 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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