6 Tips for Camping at Oxbow Park

May 28, 2021 · 3 min read

Camping is an activity that should be on everyone's bucket list. Kids will love roasting marshmallows over the fire. Adults will appreciate disconnecting from the world for a while. One of the best local places to camp near Rochester, MN is Oxbow Park.

1. You Won't Have to Travel Far

The park's location 5 miles west of Rochester means the campground is easy to get to. You won't have to spend hours fighting traffic or hike deep into the woods with a heavy pack.

You simply pull up to your campsite and unload. Why should you wait to let the vacation begin?

2. Reserve Your Campsite Early

The park has 30 campsites to choose from. To snag your favorite spot, visit their website early in the season. Enter the dates you want to camp in their reservation system. You may book your site for up to ten days at a time from May to October.

Unsure where you want to camp? The reservation screen will show you all available campsites including a photo and a breakdown of the amenities.

3. Take Advantage of the Park's Facilities

Is this your first time camping, or do you have children that might not be open to using “nature's bathroom”? Don't worry, there are plenty of facilities in the park. You will have access to bathrooms with showers, running water, and some campsites have electricity.

Most campsites have a personal fire ring and a picnic table, and for large groups, picnic shelters are available. Plus three of the campsites are designated as handicap accessible.

4. Bring a Pole for Great Fishing

Do you remember the good old days fishing with your dad? You can relive those memories and teach your kids because the park has a river running through it. Zumbro River is a good spot for anglers looking to land catfish, smallmouth bass, and carp.

A river is also a good place for watersports such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or simply floating in an inner tube.

5. The Trails Are All-Season

The park has over 10 miles of well-maintained parks for hiking. The trails are also well-marked; newbies will have no fear of wandering off the path.

In the wintertime, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, rentals are available at the park.

6. The Zoo Is a Must-see

We know that sometimes kids get bored when they don't have their gadgets. Fortunately, the park has a few diversions close-by. A playground is located on the campgrounds and Zollman Zoo is worth checking out.

This great little zoo is within walking distance and features many species of native wildlife. The zoo is open from 10 AM to 4 PM daily and has made recent updates including a wolf exhibit. The best part about the zoo is free admission, but donations are appreciated.

If you need a larger vehicle to fit in all your camping gear, consider upgrading to a Ford truck or SUV. Stop by Rochester Ford today and browse our extensive inventory of vehicles.

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Ford Expedition SUV in light blue parked in front of a modern home, showcasing its bold front grille and spacious full-size design.

Jul 30, 2026 in Activities in Rochester

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Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price includes $350 Dealer Documentation Fee. Price excludes tax, tag, title, and registration. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (not in stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.