Warning
GeneralOnly firewood certified, or approved by a state or
federal natural resource agency is permitted. Certified firewood is available
for purchase in the campground. Any unauthorized firewood in the campground
may be removed and destroyed by Corps of Engineers staff.
Warning
GeneralGull Lake Recreation Area will open for the 2026 camping season on May 14. We look forward to seeing you then!
About Gull Lake Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 39
Campground Amenities
-
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
39 Sites Available
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Site Details
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39 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (359)
What Guests Are Saying
Gull Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and friendly staff, making it a pleasant camping destination. Campers appreciate the spacious and private sites, along with the beautiful beach and nearby hiking opportunities. While some noted issues with mosquitoes and nearby road construction, the overall experience remains positive, with many expressing a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Gull Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and friendly staff, making it a pleasant camping destination. Campers appreciate the spacious and private sites, along with the beautiful beach and nearby hiking opportunities. While some noted issues with mosquitoes and nearby road construction, the overall experience remains positive, with many expressing a desire to return.
Review Summary
Lori W
VerifiedAugust 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: GULL LAKE
Beautiful campground
Robert W
VerifiedAugust 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: GULL LAKE
The campground and our campsite were excellent. Campground appearance was very good, neat and well maintained.
As a senior I always carry peanuts when we camp to feed the animals; we enjoy the animals. This was one disappointment, no squirrels or chipmunks. Camp volunteers indicated they had lots of animals, guess they did not like my peanuts. Camping weekend was great however.
Lori L
VerifiedAugust 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: GULL LAKE
Volunteer staff did an excellent job keeping campsites well groomed
Thomas R
VerifiedAugust 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: GULL LAKE
Very clean, well-spaced sites with enough foliage to provide some privacy. Nice restroom facilities too. Only stayed a night but would come back to explore the area further.
Jenny N
VerifiedAugust 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: GULL LAKE
We always love our time at Gull Lake. Our kids love the play ground and the swimming beach. We always bring our bikes. The kids love decorating the road with sidewalk chalk. Our 4 year old son caught a nice size bass and he was pumped! Highly recommend a few nights at Gull Lake! You won’t regret it!
Brian J
VerifiedAugust 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: GULL LAKE
nice location
Carrie T
VerifiedJuly 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: GULL LAKE
Very nice campground, we really enjoyed camping. Close to all the activities in Brainerd. Very nice beach for swimming. We had a bad experience with a dog in the campground that bit someone in my party. It attacked him from behind, he is ok but I feel the dog should have been removed from the campground.
Mona Z
VerifiedJuly 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: GULL LAKE
Gull Lake is our yearly vacation destination. We love it there. Rangers and hosts are very friendly. Nice quiet park, close to lots of fun things to do.
Samuel S
VerifiedJuly 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: GULL LAKE
Really nice campground. After you back in the site you have a wide camping area. There was a water spigot beside the little building behind the site. We doubled our hose and was able to use it to fill our holding tank when setting up. Nice walk to the beach area and hiking trail.
Richard K
VerifiedJuly 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: GULL LAKE
A campsite with limited activities and not much to see. The facility staff and volunteers are fantastic, but the sites themselves are in a low lying area with lots of mosquitoes and little breeze. The only hiking trail is not well maintained. If you want a convenient campsite not far from shopping and access to cities/towns, this is a good choice. If you want time in nature, go elsewhere.
Location Gull Lake Recreation Area
Address:
10867 E Gull Lake Dr
Brainerd, MN, 56401
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 46.4108 / -94.3514
Elevation: 368 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Reservations MUST be made online utilizing recreation.gov either prior to your visit or immediately upon arrival. The park office can not make reservations. However, the staff are happy to help walk you through the process on your smart phone or tablet. Firewood sales will be available at the wood shed on site #40 ONLY between 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Upon arrival, you will be provided with instructions on how to pay for firewood with a credit/debit card online with wood delivery straight to your site. Exact cash sales are still available at the wood shed during hours of operation. |
| General |
Only two tents OR one wheeled-camping unit plus one tent is allowed per campsite. |
| General |
During the 2025 camping season, rangers will not be checking you in at your site in person. Instead, you will find a box on your site post with check-in information such as firewood ordering hand out, your day use camper pass, and an important campground information handout. Please review these materials when you arrive. If you need assistance, contact a ranger or a volunteer. |
| General |
There is no longer an entrance at the north side of the park. All users will need to access the park via the south entrance. There is a new roundabout on Gull Dam Road to route you to the south if you still wish to come via Gull Dam Road. Suggested directions are as follows:From the intersection MN 210 and MN 371 in Baxter, drive north 2.6 miles. Turn left on Cty Rd 77 (Pine Beach Road). Drive west for 4.7 miles. Turn right onto Cty Rd 70 (E. Gull Lake Drive). You will come to a stop sign in 2.1 miles, go straight, this will take you into the park. Follow the road over the dam and the campground will be straight ahead. |
| General |
There are no sewer or water sites at this campground but potable water and a dump station are located at the campground entrance. |
| General |
The shower building and drinking water are available May 1 - October 15. |
| General |
ONLY CERTIFIED FIREWOOD is allowed in the park. Firewood restrictions are in effect to prevent the spread of harmful forest insects and disease. Click here for more information |
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralOnly firewood certified, or approved by a state or
federal natural resource agency is permitted. Certified firewood is available
for purchase in the campground. Any unauthorized firewood in the campground
may be removed and destroyed by Corps of Engineers staff.
Warning
GeneralGull Lake Recreation Area will open for the 2026 camping season on May 14. We look forward to seeing you then!
