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
Available sites
39 total sites
RV Sites
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Rates, Sites & Availability
39 Sites Available
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No available sites
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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 (1016)
What Guests Are Saying
Gull Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its well-maintained, spacious campsites with good tree coverage, providing privacy and comfort. Visitors appreciate the friendly staff, clean facilities, and easy access to recreational activities like biking, swimming, and fishing. While mosquitoes can be a nuisance, overall experiences are positive, with many campers planning to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Gull Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its well-maintained, spacious campsites with good tree coverage, providing privacy and comfort. Visitors appreciate the friendly staff, clean facilities, and easy access to recreational activities like biking, swimming, and fishing. While mosquitoes can be a nuisance, overall experiences are positive, with many campers planning to return.
Review Summary
Mary C
VerifiedAugust 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: GULL LAKE
Park was great. Mosquitoes were terrible.
Katherine N
VerifiedAugust 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: GULL LAKE
Great place. Hosts are amazing
Deborah L
VerifiedAugust 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: GULL LAKE
Great place to stay. It is quiet and relaxing, very clean campground, nice layout to the campsites for privacy.
BRYON D
VerifiedAugust 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: GULL LAKE
more lights
LuAnn D
VerifiedAugust 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 12A, Loop: GULL LAKE
Nice campground, kid friendly.
Tracy B
VerifiedAugust 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: GULL LAKE
Really well taken care of, wooded, small campground with plenty of options to recreate. Liked the option of a hiking trail too! The amount of staff and volunteers keeping the facilities spotless was amazing!
Joshua M
VerifiedAugust 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: GULL LAKE
Our family had a wonderful experience at this campground. It was well maintained and had great options for biking, swimming, children's activities and enjoying the great outdoors.
Donna D
VerifiedAugust 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: GULL LAKE
Loved the campsite. Great tree coverage, sites not too close, and well-kept. Friendly staff. Nice you can purchase wood and have it delivered. Not far from Nisswa and Baxter if you want to venture out. Plan to go back again soon.
John C
VerifiedAugust 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: GULL LAKE
We love camping at Gull Lake Recreation Area near Baxter MN. There is a nice hiking trail through the woods that overlook the lake. We especially like to bike on the many bike paths available. The beach area is a nice walk from the campground. This was our 5th trip to this COE campground. It’s one of our favorites for many reasons. One of which is it’s only 2 +hours from our home. All of the camp hosts were great.
Joseph H
VerifiedAugust 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: GULL LAKE
It was very nice and lots were spacious. The associates there were very friendly people as well.
Location & Directions for Gull Lake Recreation Area
10867 E Gull Lake Dr, Brainerd, MN 56401 United States
Elevation: 368 ft
Highway access
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.
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: October 20, 2026
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