Regional Parks Near Rochester, Minnesota
Your Complete Guide to Outdoor Recreation in Southeast Minnesota
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Rochester Regional Parks Overview
Rochester, Minnesota offers an exceptional network of parks and recreational facilities, featuring over 3,500 acres of parkland and more than 85 miles of paved trails. From county-managed regional parks to state parks and nature centers, the area provides diverse outdoor experiences for all ages and interests.
100+
City Parks
3,500+
Acres of Parkland
85+
Miles of Trails
3
Major Regional Parks
📍 Location & Size
- 1,333 acres just east of Rochester
- 8255 Highway 14 East, Eyota, MN 55934
- Phone: (507) 328-7350
- No entrance fee for park access
🎯 Activities & Amenities
- Swimming beach with beach house (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
- 134-acre Chester Lake for fishing and boating
- Boat rentals: kayaks, canoes, paddleboats
- 7.7 miles of equestrian trails (May-October)
- Multiple hiking and biking trails
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter
- Fat tire bike trails (December-April)
- Camping facilities with RV and tent sites
- 6 picnic shelters available for rental
- Outdoor amphitheater for events
- Action Trackchair available for accessibility
🏊 Swimming Beach
⛺ Camping
🚣 Boat Rentals
🐎 Horse Trails
🎿 Cross-Country Skiing
🚴 Fat Tire Biking
🎣 Fishing
♿ Accessible Trails
Quick Facts
Chester Woods State Trail: 3.9-mile paved connection to Highway 14
Annual controlled deer hunt in November for population management
Dogs allowed ONLY on Chester Lake Trail and Kisrow Trail (leashed)
📍 Location & Contact
- 5731 County Road 105 NW, Byron, MN 55920
- Just north of Byron, MN
- Phone: (507) 328-7340
- Nature Center: Open daily 10am-4pm
🦌 Activities & Features
- Zollman Zoo – Minnesota native animals
- New expanded Nature Center (opened 2024)
- 8 miles of hiking trails through prairies and woods
- Cross-country ski trails (groomed 3x weekly)
- Snowshoe and ski rentals ($5)
- Three accessible campsites
- Educational programs and field trips
- Birthday party and meeting room rentals
- Action Trackchair for accessibility
- Sensory kit available for visitors
- Two picnic shelters with accessible paths
🦊 Native Wildlife Zoo
🏛️ Nature Center
🥾 Hiking Trails
⛷️ Winter Sports
🏕️ Camping
📚 Educational Programs
♿ Accessibility Features
🎂 Event Space
Special Features
Olmsted County’s #1 tourist attraction for over 50 years
Brand new 3,000 sq ft Nature Center with exhibit hall
Controlled DAV (Disabled Veterans) hunt October-November
📍 Location & Hours
- 701 Silver Creek Road NE, Rochester, MN 55906
- Mon-Fri: 9am-4pm
- Saturday: 9am-4pm
- Sunday: 12pm-4pm
- Holidays: 12pm-4pm
- Closed: July 4, Thanksgiving, Dec 24-25
🌲 Park Features
- 329 acres of natural habitat
- 8+ miles of hiking trails
- Historic limestone quarry site
- Fishing pond
- Cave exploration (seasonal)
- Nature-based educational programs
- Animal exhibits and displays
- Cross-country skiing in winter
- Geocaching opportunities
- Dogs must be leashed at all times
🏔️ Historic Quarry
🦎 Live Animals
🕳️ Cave Tours
🎣 Fishing Pond
🥾 8+ Miles Trails
🎿 Winter Activities
📍 Geocaching
🏫 School Programs
🏔️ Whitewater State Park
- Located 30 minutes east of Rochester
- Features: Chimney Rock, Inspiration Point, Elba Fire Tower
- 10 miles of hiking trails
- Trout fishing in Whitewater River
- Year-round camping with multiple sites
- Sandy beach swimming area
- Day pass: $7 | Annual pass: $35
🦅 Great River Bluffs State Park
- King’s Bluff Trail – spectacular Mississippi River Valley views
- Prime bald eagle viewing location
- Camping and hiking opportunities
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter
⛰️ John A. Latsch State Park
- Day-use only park in the Driftless Region
- Mount Charity – arduous 1/2 mile hike to the summit
- Views of Mississippi River Valley
- See Mount Hope and Mount Faith from the top
🌾 Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
- Rolling hills of restored prairie
- Year-round camping in four-season cabins
- Two yurt rentals with wood stoves
- 2.5 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails
- Snowshoe rentals available
- Historic Forestville town site
- Mystery Cave tours (seasonal)
State Park Information
Day Pass: $7 | Annual Pass: $35 (valid at all MN State Parks)
All parks within 30-90 minutes drive from Rochester
Camping reservations required – book at MN DNR website
🦆 Silver Lake Park
- Downtown Rochester’s central park hub
- Connection point for multiple trail systems
- Silver Lake Boat & Bike Rental (summer)
- Kayak, canoe, and paddleboat rentals
- Walking paths along the water
- New skate park under construction
🏛️ Central Park
- Rochester’s first public park (1800s)
- Historic downtown location
- Community events and gatherings
- Fun fact: Older concept than NYC’s Central Park!
🏰 Soldiers Field – Wooden Castle Park
- 7th Street SW and George Gibbs Drive
- Large wooden castle playground
- Sand play area and farm space
- Mini corn field maze
- Wall of Remembrance veterans memorial
🏊 Aquatic Facilities
- Soldiers Field Aquatic Center
- Silver Lake Pool
- Cascade Lake Beach
- Foster Arend Beach
- Lincolnshire Splash Pad
🎾 Tennis Courts
⚾ Ball Diamonds
🏀 Basketball Courts
🐕 Dog Parks
🏐 Sand Volleyball
🏹 Archery Ranges
🥏 Disc Golf
🏒 Hockey Rinks
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Start Growing Your Business →🚴 Douglas State Trail
- 12.5 miles of paved multi-use trail
- Connects Rochester to Douglas to Pine Island
- Built on former railroad grade
- Perfect for biking, walking, and running
🌲 Chester Woods State Trail
- 3.9-mile paved trail
- Runs from Chester to U.S. Highway 14 near Eyota
- Connects to Chester Woods Park trails
- Prairie, forest, and farmland landscapes
🚶 City Trail Network
- 85+ miles of paved trails throughout Rochester
- Connects major parks and neighborhoods
- Silver Lake serves as central hub
- Year-round maintenance for walking, biking, running
📞 Park Contacts
- Rochester Parks & Recreation: (507) 328-2311
- Chester Woods Park: (507) 328-7350
- Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo: (507) 328-7340
- Quarry Hill Nature Center: (507) 328-3950
- Olmsted County Parks: (507) 328-7070
🌐 Online Resources
- Park Shelter Reservations: Available online through Rochester Parks website
- State Park Camping: Reserve at MN DNR website
- Trail Maps: Download from respective park websites
- Program Registration: Check individual park sites for classes and events
