Gull Lake Recreation Area

10867 E Gull Lake Dr, Brainerd, Minnesota, United States
Check Availability

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
RV Sites 39 sites Check Availability

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

Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Newest First Oldest First

Bill S

Verified

July 22, 2021 Stayed at: 16A, Loop: GULL LAKE

Probably the nicest campground Iwe have stayed at. Sites are are quiet and private. Facilities are nice and a short walk or bike ride from anywhere in the campground. Volunteers and Rangers are friendly and helpful. A+

Helpful

Bill S

Verified

July 22, 2021 Stayed at: 16A, Loop: GULL LAKE

Probably the nicest campground Iwe have stayed at. Sites are are quiet and private. Facilities are nice and a short walk or bike ride from anywhere in the campground. Volunteers and Rangers are friendly and helpful. A+

Helpful

Garth C

Verified

July 20, 2021 Stayed at: 12, Loop: GULL LAKE

What a nice campground! We were greeted when we pulled in. Our campsite was recently cleaned and raked. The restrooms and showers were immaculately maintained and the people, all of them, were friendly and courteous. You could not ask for a nicer place to camp. We were towing a small (18') travel trailer and had no trouble fitting in. There were much larger units in the campground and they, too, seemed to fit in nicely. Next to us was a couple who were tent-camping, so the campground can be adapted to whatever you camping needs may be. Happy travels.

Helpful

Garth C

Verified

July 20, 2021 Stayed at: 12, Loop: GULL LAKE

What a nice campground! We were greeted when we pulled in. Our campsite was recently cleaned and raked. The restrooms and showers were immaculately maintained and the people, all of them, were friendly and courteous. You could not ask for a nicer place to camp. We were towing a small (18') travel trailer and had no trouble fitting in. There were much larger units in the campground and they, too, seemed to fit in nicely. Next to us was a couple who were tent-camping, so the campground can be adapted to whatever you camping needs may be. Happy travels.

Helpful

Carlene L

Verified

July 18, 2021 Stayed at: 31, Loop: GULL LAKE

This is a beautiful campground. The staff are all so friendly. So clean and well maintained.

Helpful

Carlene L

Verified

July 18, 2021 Stayed at: 31, Loop: GULL LAKE

This is a beautiful campground. The staff are all so friendly. So clean and well maintained.

Helpful

Steve C

Verified

July 15, 2021 Stayed at: 16, Loop: GULL LAKE

I couldn't make it to the campground because I was buying real estate, so I thought I would cancel so maybe someone else could use it. I could not get through on the computer, even at 5 AM the next morning. I suppose it sat empty

Helpful

Steve C

Verified

July 15, 2021 Stayed at: 16, Loop: GULL LAKE

I couldn't make it to the campground because I was buying real estate, so I thought I would cancel so maybe someone else could use it. I could not get through on the computer, even at 5 AM the next morning. I suppose it sat empty

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.

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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Baxter

6 mi away

City
Explore destination

Brainerd

8 mi away

City
Explore destination

Pillager

8 mi away

City

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