On our multi-day drive from Illinois to South Dakota, we made an overnight stop at Chester Woods Park Campground in southeastern Minnesota- and we were genuinely impressed. What we thought would be a convenient place to crash for the night ended up being one of the nicest county parks we’ve ever stayed at. With peaceful wooded campsites, scenic hiking trails, and a surprisingly long list of amenities, it felt like a hidden gem. In this post, we’re sharing a full guide to camping at Chester Woods along with our honest review of our stay. Whether you’re passing through like we were or planning a longer visit, here’s everything you need to know.
Chester Woods Park Basic Information
Address: 8378 14 Highway Southeast, Eyota, MN 55934
Website: https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/residents/parks-recreation/parks/chester-woods-park
Manage By: Olmsted County
Camping at Chester Woods Park
The campground at Chester Woods Park is a solid option if you’re looking for a peaceful place to stay in southeastern Minnesota. Open seasonally from May through October, it’s got that classic county park vibe- quiet, spacious, and surrounded by nature, with just enough amenities to be comfortable without feeling overly developed.
There are 50 campsites in total, including two that are wheelchair accessible. Most sites are back-in, with a mix of sun and shade, and each one comes with a fire ring and picnic table. We found the campground clean, well-maintained, and easy to navigate.
If you’re not camping in an RV or tent, there are also two camper cabins available to rent. They’re basic but cozy, outfitted with a fridge, microwave, heat and A/C, and enough beds to sleep six- two full-size and two singles. Just note: no pets allowed in the cabins.
Chester Woods Campground Amenities
- Dump station (also open to non-campers for $15)
- Shower house with flush toilets
- Two playgrounds
- Swimming beach (also has outdoor showers)
- Dog play area with water access
- Fire ring and picnic table at each campsite
- Firewood available for purchase
- Little Free Library for book swaps or campground reading
Chester Woods Camping Rates
- Campsites with electricity: $30 per night
- Camper cabins: $75 per night
Winter Camping at Chester Woods
Winter camping is available from January-March in Campsites #9-12 and the camper cabins. The showerhouse/flush toilets are not open, but there is a portable toilet and one water hydrant available. The dump station is also closed during winter. Camping costs are the same as during the regular season.
Chester Woods Campground Rules and Policies
- Check-in: 3:00 PM
- Check-out: 1:00 PM
- Refunds:
- Refunds are only available if canceled more than 7 days before your reservation.
- The booking fee is non-refundable.
- No same-day refunds—there’s a 24-hour processing period for all transactions.
- Reservations:
- 3-night minimum on holiday weekends
- 2-night minimum on regular weekends
- 1-night minimum Sunday through Thursday
- Camping Limitations:
- One camping unit per site (tent, trailer, or vehicle used for sleeping)
- Maximum stay is 10 consecutive days
- After 10 days, you must leave the campground for at least 24 hours before returning
- Visitors: Must leave the campground by 10:00 PM
- Pets: Dogs must be leashed unless inside the designated dog play area
- Quiet Hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM
- Parking: Only park on gravel pads—no parking on the grass
3 of our camping essentials: Andersen levelers for easy leveling, X-Chock wheel stabilizers for additional stabilization, and GasStop propane tank gauge for leak detection and emergency shut-off.
Our Review of Chester Woods Park Campground
We only stayed one night at Chester Woods Park Campground on our road trip from Illinois to South Dakota, but we were seriously impressed. The campground was super convenient from the highway, and the sites were nice and roomy- definitely the kind of place we’d stay longer if we had the time. We didn’t use the showerhouse since it was such a quick stop, but everything else seemed really well-kept. We spotted the camp host out and about a few times, staying on top of things, which is always a good sign. We had enough time to walk down to the beach, then looped around the lake to a fun nature play area and even found a cornhole setup to play for a bit. Between the peaceful setting and all the little extras, it’s a spot we’d happily come back to.
Things to Do at Chester Woods Park
There’s a lot more to Chester Woods than just camping- this park is packed with outdoor fun, whether you’re looking to relax at the beach, explore trails, or spend a quiet day fishing. We were impressed with how much there is to do, especially for a county park!
Swimming
The sandy swimming beach is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and it’s a great spot to cool off during the warmer months. There’s no lifeguard on duty, so it’s swim-at-your-own-risk, but it’s clean and family-friendly with restrooms and showers nearby.
Hours:
- Sunday–Thursday: 10am–6pm
- Friday–Saturday: 10am–8pm
Watercraft Rentals
If you want to get out on the water, you’ve got options! Traditional rentals are available during the same summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), with a variety of boats to choose from:
- Available rentals: Canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, paddle boats
- Hours: 10am–6pm daily
- Rates: $10/hour or $30/day
- Must be 16 or older to rent, and all boats must be returned by 6pm
They also offer a self-service kayak rental system during the full camping season. You’ll find a QR code at the rental locker station, just scan it with the rent.fun app, grab your gear, and get paddling.
- Available daily: 5am–8pm
- Cost: $0.25 per minute
- Must return equipment by 8pm
- Paddles and life jackets required
Fishing
Fishing is popular here, and you can cast in from shore or bring a boat, just no gas-powered motors allowed (electric trolling motors are fine). The lake is home to:
- Crappie
- Bass
- Panfish
- Catfish
- Northern pike
Trails
Whether you’re hiking, biking, or riding horseback, Chester Woods has a solid trail system. There are about 15 miles of trails total, with something for just about everyone:
- 4.3 miles of paved trails
- 7.2 miles of dog-friendly trails
- 7.7 miles of equestrian trails (permit required: $6/day or $30/year)
- Winter fun: 12 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
- Fat tire biking: open seasonally, December 1 to April 1
Playgrounds and Nature Play Area
There are multiple playgrounds in the park, including in the campground. Near the main campground there is also a fun nature play area for off-trail exploring with fun structures to climb. Near here we also found cornhole!
Hunting
Hunting is allowed but only in a controlled, limited fashion. The park hosts an annual deer lottery (40 hunters selected) for shotgun or archery. There’s also a special shotgun hunt for disabled veterans.
Accessibility
Chester Woods does a great job making the outdoors accessible for everyone. They offer an Action Track Chair, a free-to-use, all-terrain wheelchair available daily from 10am–4pm (just call or email ahead to reserve). Other ADA-accessible features include:
- Fishing piers
- Path to beach
- Playground
- Showerhouse
- 2 campsites + camper cabin
- 6 picnic shelters
Things to Do Near Chester Woods Park
Chester Woods Park is only 15 minutes from Rochester, Minnesota. This means there’s easy access to groceries and any other stores you might need. If we were staying longer, here’s some activities we would want to check out:
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