Olmsted County Parks

Date Modified: 08/09/2007 3:00 PM

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Chester Woods
8378 Hwy 14
Rochester, MN 55934
(507)285-7050

Located seven miles east of Rochester on U.S. 14., this park opened in spring 1995 and more than doubled the size of the county park system. It has a 118-acre reservoir with a swimming beach, boating and fishing piers, bathhouse, swimming area, hiking, camping facilities, and lake for nonmotorized use.

Hours: Daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. , May 18-Oct. 14.
Cost: $5 daily entry fee; $25 annually.

Oronoco Park
(507) 367-4526

This 33-acre facility on Lake Shady offers camping and picnic facilities, playground, and hiking. The park has all the requirements for family picnics - playground, picnic shelter, barbecues, restrooms, ample parking, and best of all the scenic and tranquil setting along the shores of Lake Shady.

Directions: Located in the village of Oronoco, 10 miles north of Rochester on U.S. Highway 52.

Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo
5731 County Rd 105 NW
Byron, MN 55920
(507) 775-2451

This 572-acre park has a small, county-operated zoo featuring native Minnesota wildlife (past and present) and farm animals. Other facilities include a playground, hiking trails, camping facilities, picnic shelter, bathrooms, photography shelter for taking pictures of wildlife, nature center with wildlife exhibits, and cross-country ski trails in the winter.

Zoo Hours: Daily noon - 4 pm, year-round (except holidays)
Park Hours: Daily 7 am - 10 pm
Cost: Admission FREE, donations welcome
Directions: Oxbow Park is located 3 miles north of Byron on Olmsted County Road 105, just north of the intersection of County Roads 4 and 5.