Can you reserve a site at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Yes, Gull Lake Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

122 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area.

Are campfires allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Campfires are allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Gull Lake Recreation Area, Minnesota — 43 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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.

Recreation

Anglers will delight in the large population of fish including stocked walleye, northern pike, bass and a variety of panfish. Boaters can access crystal clear waters throughout the chain of lakes and enjoy the peaceful sunsets overlooking the woods. Hit the self-guided interpretive trail for a short hike with wildlife watching and scenic overlooks along the lake. Hop on your bike on the City of East Gull Lake's paved multi-use trail that starts by the dam, or head out to join up with the Paul Bunyan State Trail with trailheads located in Baxter and Nisswa. Got a kayak, canoe, or intertube? Try heading down the Gull River from the lower canoe launch. Ask the Park Rangers about river safety with current water flow and check-out a life jacket before you go.

Facilities

The campground is known for its well-spaced wooded sites, each with 50 or 30 amp electric hookup service, picnic tables, campfire rings, and a centrally located showerhouse. A water fill and dump station is located near the entrance to the campground. This side of the park holds two canoe launches, a paved shoreline fishing platform, fish cleaning station, self-guided information booth, playground, a flush toilet restroom, and a handful of picnic tabels and grills. Across the dam is the Ranger Office, boat ramp, vault toilet, and swimming beach on the lake. Volleyball nets, basketball hoop, horseshoe pits, and two more playgrounds are also perks of this side of the park.

Natural Features

The campground sits on the Gull River at the outlet of Gull Lake. The area was formed by a receding glacier that moved southward from Canada and carved the landscape. Gull Lake is one of the six Mississippi Headwaters Projects of the Mississippi River Watershed operated by The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Nearby Attractions

Gull Lake is located minutes from 520 holes of golf, the 100-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail, amusement parks, a zoo, and numerous shopping opportunities in Brainerd, Baxter, and Nisswa.

The facts

43 bookable sites
1 site for day use only
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 122 ft
Up to 40 people per site
Loops: GULL LAKE

Site types

42 Standard Electric
1 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

43 campsites at Gull Lake Recreation Area

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
01	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	66 ft	8	🐾
02	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	61 ft	8	🐾
03	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
04	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	59 ft	8	🐾
05	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	105 ft	8	🐾
06	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	78 ft	8	🐾
07	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	110 ft	8	🐾
08	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	89 ft	8	🐾
09	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	62 ft	8	🐾
10	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	79 ft	8	🐾
11	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	89 ft	8	🐾
12	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
12A	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	25 ft	8	🐾
13	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	100 ft	8	🐾
14	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	59 ft	8	🐾
15	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	78 ft	8	🐾
16	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	61 ft	8	🐾
16A	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	25 ft	8	🐾
17	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	77 ft	8	🐾
18	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	63 ft	8	🐾
19	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	56 ft	8	🐾
20	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	58 ft	8	🐾
21	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	63 ft	8	🐾
22	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	122 ft	8	🐾
23	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	80 ft	8	🐾
24	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	88 ft	8	🐾
25	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	116 ft	8	🐾
26	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	79 ft	8	🐾
27	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	93 ft	8	🐾
28	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	102 ft	8	🐾
29	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	98 ft	8	🐾
30	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	72 ft	8	🐾
31	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	69 ft	8	🐾
32	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	71 ft	8	🐾
33	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	90 ft	8	🐾
34	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	62 ft	8	🐾
35	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	77 ft	8	🐾
36HOST	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
37	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	70 ft	8	♿ 🐾
38HOST	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
39	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	97 ft	8	🐾
40HOST	GULL LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	—	—	8	🐾
Picnic Shelter	GULL LAKE	Group Shelter Electric	—	—	—	40	🐾

Getting there

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.

46.41083, -94.35139 · 46°24'39.0"N 94°21'5.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 79°F in Jul, down to 18°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	18	24	37	51	65	75	79	77	68	53	37	24
Low °F	-1	3	16	31	45	56	61	59	49	36	22	8
Precip in	0.6	0.6	1.2	2.4	3.4	4.1	4.4	3.3	2.7	2.6	1.0	0.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Gull Lake Recreation Area

Can you reserve a site at Gull Lake Recreation Area?: Yes, Gull Lake Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Gull Lake Recreation Area have?: 43 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Gull Lake Recreation Area?: 122 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area?: Yes, pets are allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area.
Does Gull Lake Recreation Area have hookups?: Electric, Water.
Are campfires allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area?: Campfires are allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Gull Lake Recreation Area

Cross Lake Recreation Area 21.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cross Lake Day Use 21.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mabel Lake 46.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Stony Point 50.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Sandy Lake 55.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Leech Lake Rec Area 57.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Long Lake Boat Area 47.1 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone (651)290-5772
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-09.

Gull Lake Recreation Area