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
GULL LAKE RECREATION AREA
Sunset view from the hiking trail
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.

Available sites

39 total sites

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 closed

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 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 02, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 03, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 04, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 05, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 06, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 07, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 08, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 09, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 10, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 11, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 12, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 12A, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 ft long
🚐 13, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 14, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 15, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 16, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 16A, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 45 ft long
🚐 17, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 18, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 19, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 20, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 21, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 22, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 23, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 24, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 25, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 26, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 27, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 28, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 29, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 30, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 31, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 32, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 33, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 34, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 35, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 37, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 39, Loop: GULL LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel

Reviews

1016 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

4.6

Overall rating

Based on 1016 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 76.1% (773)
4 stars 16.5% (168)
3 stars 4.4% (45)
2 stars 1.4% (14)
1 star 1.6% (16)

Showing 1015 reviews

Lynn P

Verified

August 19, 2023 Stayed at: 37, Loop: GULL LAKE

Beautiful campground. Large private campsites. Very well kept campground.

Helpful

Jennifer L

Verified

August 22, 2023 Stayed at: 26, Loop: GULL LAKE

Nice campground and well kept!

Helpful

Jennifer L

Verified

August 22, 2023 Stayed at: 26, Loop: GULL LAKE

Nice campground and well kept!

Helpful

Laura A

Verified

August 23, 2023 Stayed at: 14, Loop: GULL LAKE

Very well-maintained campground! We stayed there for a few days while we had family near by at a local resort, the kids loved coming over and walking around the dam, swimming at the beach, and the multiple (3) play sets around. For parents, the play sets are by the dam, at the beach, and by the offices/picnic area.
The camp sites were clean, they have volunteers there helping to maintain them, and the bath/shower houses were spotless. When we first pulled in there was no one in the ranger station so we proceeded to our site, they later came around and gave us a car pass that would give us free parking at the beach area. So just a heads up to grab one of those before to avoid the $5 fee, but they said they would absolutely reimburse if we happened to pay it. Both park rangers were so friendly and happy to answer questions.
We’re already planning our trip back next year!

Helpful

Laura A

Verified

August 23, 2023 Stayed at: 14, Loop: GULL LAKE

Very well-maintained campground! We stayed there for a few days while we had family near by at a local resort, the kids loved coming over and walking around the dam, swimming at the beach, and the multiple (3) play sets around. For parents, the play sets are by the dam, at the beach, and by the offices/picnic area.
The camp sites were clean, they have volunteers there helping to maintain them, and the bath/shower houses were spotless. When we first pulled in there was no one in the ranger station so we proceeded to our site, they later came around and gave us a car pass that would give us free parking at the beach area. So just a heads up to grab one of those before to avoid the $5 fee, but they said they would absolutely reimburse if we happened to pay it. Both park rangers were so friendly and happy to answer questions.
We’re already planning our trip back next year!

Helpful

Diane S

Verified

August 24, 2023 Stayed at: 29, Loop: GULL LAKE

This campground is well cared for and clean. The camp hosts do a wonderful job!

Helpful

Diane S

Verified

August 24, 2023 Stayed at: 29, Loop: GULL LAKE

This campground is well cared for and clean. The camp hosts do a wonderful job!

Helpful

Aaron L

Verified

August 29, 2023 Stayed at: 30, Loop: GULL LAKE

Well tended and ideal camping area. Been coming for a number of years and still a great experience

Helpful

Aaron L

Verified

August 29, 2023 Stayed at: 30, Loop: GULL LAKE

Well tended and ideal camping area. Been coming for a number of years and still a great experience

Helpful

Douglas N

Verified

August 31, 2023 Stayed at: 34, Loop: GULL LAKE

One of the best campgrounds in the USACE system.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Gull Lake Recreation Area

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

Elevation: 368 ft

Nearest town

Brainerd, MN - 12 mi

About 18 min to downtown

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

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: October 24, 2026

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Explore Brainerd, MN

Population: 14,468

Nearby city: St. Cloud, MN

Approx. 59 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,217 ft

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Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers