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.
More like this: electric hookups in Minnesota · reservable in Minnesota · big rigs in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota · group sites in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 42 |
| group shelter electric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 116 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
43 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Electric | Back-in | 66 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 02 | Electric | Back-in | 61 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 03 | Electric | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 04 | Electric | Back-in | 59 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 05 | Electric | Back-in | 105 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 06 | Electric | Back-in | 78 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 07 | Electric | Back-in | 110 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 08 | Electric | Back-in | 89 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 09 | Electric | Back-in | 62 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 10 | Electric | Back-in | 79 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 122 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Site 37 is listed accessible |
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 shower house. 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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.
| Nearest town | Brainerd, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 46.4108° N, 94.3514° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- 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.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Gander Outdoors ↗ | 6.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Ice Castle - Nothern Sales and Manufacturing ↗ | 20.8 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 35.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Gull Lake Campground - Inyo National Forest, CA
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Minnesota and International Railroad Freight House and Shelter ShedBuilding · Nissawa · 7.7 mi
- Werner Hemstead HouseBuilding · Brainerd · 7.9 mi
- Minnewawa LodgeBuilding · Nisswa · 7.9 mi
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.
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.
Nearby
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.
Guidebooks for Minnesota
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Gull Lake Recreation Area?
Sites at Gull Lake Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Gull Lake Recreation Area?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Gull Lake Recreation Area have?
43 sites, including 42 standard sites with power and 1 group shelter electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Gull Lake Recreation Area?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Gull Lake Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Gull Lake Recreation Area?
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 shower house.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Gull Lake Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Gull Lake Recreation Area?
Site 37 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Gull Lake Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Gull Lake Recreation Area?
Anglers will delight in the large population of fish including stocked walleye, northern pike, bass and a variety of panfish. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Gull Lake Recreation Area?
Brainerd, Minnesota. 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.
Source: Getting there