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.
About Gull Lake Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 39
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
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Rates, Sites & Availability
39 Sites Available
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Site Details
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39 Sites Available
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Reviews (898)
What Guests Are Saying
Gull Lake Recreation Area offers well-maintained, clean campgrounds with friendly staff and plenty of shade. Visitors appreciate the beautiful sites, clean facilities, and enjoyable beach and hiking experiences. While there are some minor concerns, such as a lack of water at each site and traffic noise from a newly built road, overall reviews highlight it as a favorite camping destination.
What Guests Are Saying
Gull Lake Recreation Area offers well-maintained, clean campgrounds with friendly staff and plenty of shade. Visitors appreciate the beautiful sites, clean facilities, and enjoyable beach and hiking experiences. While there are some minor concerns, such as a lack of water at each site and traffic noise from a newly built road, overall reviews highlight it as a favorite camping destination.
Review Summary
Monika L
VerifiedJune 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: GULL LAKE
Gull Lake is a well-designed campground, especially for those in RVs and trailers. We are tent campers and found our site large and very clean with the gravel perfectly raked. The ground is quite hard-packed making it difficult to drive in stakes for tent and/or shelter, but otherwise there were no problems and the site was level. The rest rooms were clean and there was plenty of free, warm water for showers. This is not a wilderness experience, since there are cottages on the lake and strip malls and hotels a few miles distant. However, Gull Lake is nice for swimming and boating and a weekend away or a stop on the road while traveling to more distant locations.
Monika L
VerifiedJune 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: GULL LAKE
Gull Lake is a well-designed campground, especially for those in RVs and trailers. We are tent campers and found our site large and very clean with the gravel perfectly raked. The ground is quite hard-packed making it difficult to drive in stakes for tent and/or shelter, but otherwise there were no problems and the site was level. The rest rooms were clean and there was plenty of free, warm water for showers. This is not a wilderness experience, since there are cottages on the lake and strip malls and hotels a few miles distant. However, Gull Lake is nice for swimming and boating and a weekend away or a stop on the road while traveling to more distant locations.
JoAnn A
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: GULL LAKE
We stay at the Gull Lake Recreation Area every summer, sometimes twice a season. It is our favorite campground. It is always so neat and clean. The rangers are very helpful and friendly. The volunteers work so hard, and their efforts clearly show all over the campground. We had a wonderful time with great memories.
JoAnn A
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: GULL LAKE
We stay at the Gull Lake Recreation Area every summer, sometimes twice a season. It is our favorite campground. It is always so neat and clean. The rangers are very helpful and friendly. The volunteers work so hard, and their efforts clearly show all over the campground. We had a wonderful time with great memories.
Winfield S
VerifiedJune 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: GULL LAKE
Best Campground ever! Shady and private sites.
Winfield S
VerifiedJune 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: GULL LAKE
Best Campground ever! Shady and private sites.
James S
VerifiedJune 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: GULL LAKE
The campground, beach, and boat launch are nice and well maintained. The campground hosts deserve a mention for the special touches they add to the facilites.
James S
VerifiedJune 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: GULL LAKE
The campground, beach, and boat launch are nice and well maintained. The campground hosts deserve a mention for the special touches they add to the facilites.
Annika A
VerifiedJune 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: GULL LAKE
It was our first camping trip and this campground was perfect for it. Everything was well maintained, the beach was close, and the bugs were not bad. We had site #5 which was large. Privacy for this site was not fantastic but other sites around had a bit more privacy. Great experience!
Annika A
VerifiedJune 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: GULL LAKE
It was our first camping trip and this campground was perfect for it. Everything was well maintained, the beach was close, and the bugs were not bad. We had site #5 which was large. Privacy for this site was not fantastic but other sites around had a bit more privacy. Great experience!
Location Gull Lake Recreation Area
Address:
10867 E Gull Lake Dr
Brainerd, MN, 56401
United States
Gull Lake Recreation Area is accessible via Minnesota State Highway 371, which is approximately 10 miles to the east. Additionally, U.S. Highway 10 is about 15 miles to the south.
Latitude & Longitude: 46.4108 / -94.3514
Elevation: 368 feet
Policies & Rules
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. 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.
- Only two tents OR one wheeled-camping unit plus one tent is allowed per campsite.
- 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.
- 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.
- There are no sewer or water sites at this campground but potable water and a dump station are located at the campground entrance.
- The shower building and drinking water are available May 1 - October 15.
- 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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 13, 2026
