OutReserve

Gull Lake Recreation Area

Warning

General

Only 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.

GULL LAKE RECREATION AREA
GULL LAKE RECREATION AREA
Sunset view from the hiking trail
GULL LAKE RECREATION AREA
Catch of the day at the upper fishing pier

About Gull Lake Recreation Area

Gull Lake Recreation Area offers something for everyone with boating, hiking, fishing and swimming at Minnesota's famous Gull Lake, the largest of the 10 lakes on the Gull Chain of Lakes. Visitors have the opportunity to see and hear an abundance of watchable wildlife like bald eagles, white-tailed deer, river otters, a variety of songbirds, and the legendary call of the loon.

Number of accommodations: 39

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 14 to Oct 14

Campground Amenities

RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

39 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 02, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 03, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 04, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 05, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 06, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 07, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 08, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 09, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 10, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 11, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 12A, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 13, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 14, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 15, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 16, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 16A, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 17, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 18, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 19, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 20, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 21, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 22, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 23, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 24, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 25, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 26, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 27, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 28, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 29, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 30, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 31, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 32, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 33, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 34, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 35, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 37, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 39, Loop: GULL LAKE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available

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.

Review Summary

4.7
898 reviews
5
77.3%
694
4
15.8%
142
3
4.0%
36
2
1.3%
12
1
1.6%
14

Martin M

Verified

September 5, 2022 Stayed at: 21, Loop: GULL LAKE

5

Great time. Easy to navigate application!

Sarah E

Verified

September 5, 2022 Stayed at: 07, Loop: GULL LAKE

5

Incredibly well maintained, the volunteers do an amazing job tending to the sites and making them look pristine for every guest. The sites are nicely staggered and lots of trees for added privacy and shade.

Timothy B

Verified

September 1, 2022 Stayed at: 14, Loop: GULL LAKE

5

Nice, clean campground and the Rangers (Brian, Ryan, Nicole and August) were all friendly and very helpful. We launched our kayaks from the boat launch and paddled 45 minutes over to Ernies on Gull Lake for lunch and a drink (s).
This was our 2nd visit to Gull Lake Rec Area this summer and we plan to visit more in the future.

Timothy B

Verified

September 1, 2022 Stayed at: 14, Loop: GULL LAKE

5

Nice, clean campground and the Rangers (Brian, Ryan, Nicole and August) were all friendly and very helpful. We launched our kayaks from the boat launch and paddled 45 minutes over to Ernies on Gull Lake for lunch and a drink (s).
This was our 2nd visit to Gull Lake Rec Area this summer and we plan to visit more in the future.

Doris V

Verified

August 31, 2022 Stayed at: 25, Loop: GULL LAKE

5

Very well maintained. Beautiful lake. Wish we’d had more time there.

Doris V

Verified

August 31, 2022 Stayed at: 25, Loop: GULL LAKE

5

Very well maintained. Beautiful lake. Wish we’d had more time there.

Carol L

Verified

August 28, 2022 Stayed at: 18, Loop: GULL LAKE

4

Great campground. Close to Brainerd/ Baxter are.

Carol L

Verified

August 28, 2022 Stayed at: 18, Loop: GULL LAKE

4

Great campground. Close to Brainerd/ Baxter are.

Raymond H

Verified

August 26, 2022 Stayed at: 35, Loop: GULL LAKE

5

Great camping experience?
They keep the campground in excellent shape and very friendly and helpful 🙂

Raymond H

Verified

August 26, 2022 Stayed at: 35, Loop: GULL LAKE

5

Great camping experience?
They keep the campground in excellent shape and very friendly and helpful 🙂

Location Gull Lake Recreation Area

Address:
10867 E Gull Lake Dr
Brainerd, MN, 56401
United States

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.

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

General

Only 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

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

US Army Corps of Engineers Logo
Managed by US Army Corps of Engineers