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.
Warning
GeneralGull Lake Recreation Area will open for the 2026 camping season on May 14. We look forward to seeing you then!
About Gull Lake Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 39
Campground Amenities
-
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
39 Sites Available
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Site Details
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39 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (359)
What Guests Are Saying
Gull Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and friendly staff, making it a pleasant camping destination. Campers appreciate the spacious and private sites, along with the beautiful beach and nearby hiking opportunities. While some noted issues with mosquitoes and nearby road construction, the overall experience remains positive, with many expressing a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Gull Lake Recreation Area is highly praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and friendly staff, making it a pleasant camping destination. Campers appreciate the spacious and private sites, along with the beautiful beach and nearby hiking opportunities. While some noted issues with mosquitoes and nearby road construction, the overall experience remains positive, with many expressing a desire to return.
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.
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.
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!
Patsy C
VerifiedJune 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: GULL LAKE
The camp site was beautiful and very well maintained. Restroom and shower facilities were nice and clean.
Gary S
VerifiedJune 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: GULL LAKE
The site is not user friendly. I tried to get a campground map and was unable to do so. I checked off 4 nites and the site only allowed 3 nites. I tried to modify reservation and was unable to do so. Finally, I completed the reservation for the 3 nites allowed and then went back in to get the fourth night. The site was much easier to use a couple of years ago before changes were made.
Scott E
VerifiedJune 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 16A, Loop: GULL LAKE
Fish cleaning house lights were not working and wasn't as clean as in the past. Otherwise it was a great stay
Cheryl W
VerifiedJune 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: GULL LAKE
My husband and I love Gull Dam campground. We come every year. The sites are big. They are extremely clean. The staff is very friendly and helpful. There are lots of activities to do. You can ride bike on bike trails, swim at the beach, go boating & fishing, go shopping in town, mini golf & go carts just down the road, BIR race track.
Jeffrey B
VerifiedJune 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: GULL LAKE
Overall very nice campground. Definitely fill your fresh water tank at the entrance to the campground as there are no other potable water spigots located in the campground. The only one is at the dump station at the entrance.
The lake is beautiful with a nice boat ramp. Baxter and Brainerd are close by with great shopping and restaurants. Cragan Legacy Golf course is right down the road from the campground if you’re a golfer!
Location Gull Lake Recreation Area
Address:
10867 E Gull Lake Dr
Brainerd, MN, 56401
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 46.4108 / -94.3514
Elevation: 368 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| 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. Firewood sales will be available at the wood shed on site #40 ONLY between 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 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. |
| General |
Only two tents OR one wheeled-camping unit plus one tent is allowed per campsite. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
There are no sewer or water sites at this campground but potable water and a dump station are located at the campground entrance. |
| General |
The shower building and drinking water are available May 1 - October 15. |
| General |
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.
Warning
GeneralGull Lake Recreation Area will open for the 2026 camping season on May 14. We look forward to seeing you then!
