Gull Lake Recreation Area
Mississippi River Headwaters - Gull Lake
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.
The campground is known for its well-spaced wooded sites, each with 50 or 30 amp electric hookups service, picnic tables and campfire rings, and a centrally located showerhouse. A boat ramp and swimming beach on the lake, canoe access and fishing platforms on the river, and playgrounds are also perks of the park.
Notifications and Alerts
- 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.
Need to Know
ATTENTION VISITORS
Safety for everyone is our top concern. Please be aware of the following changes due to COVID-19:
Currently, the park office is closed. Gull Lake Recreation Area will be open for camping arrivals beginning May 1, 2021. Reservations MUST be made online utilizing recreation.gov either prior to your visit or immediately upon arrival. At this time, the park office WILL NOT be making reservations or selling passes this recreation season.
Planning for your visit to Gull Lake Recreation Area beginning May 1, 2021:
Restrooms, trails, dump station, fishing piers and boat launches will be open for use with COVID-19 precautions and social distancing requirments per Executive Order 13991.
Please plan ahead for your visit. Expect limited services and staffing and prepare for self-sufficiency. Restroom facilities will be cleaned and disinfected on a once daily basis. Picnic tables and other areas may not be sanitized regularly.
It is recommended that visitors only recreate with those in their household, including at each individual campsite. Masks are required per Executive Order 13991 when interacting within six feet of others and while utilizing the indoor facilities. Practice social distancing at all times especially in high use areas, such as restrooms, fish cleaning stations, fishing piers, etc.
Firewood sales will ONLY be available at the wood shed on site #40 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. At checkin, a Ranger will provide you 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.
Gull Lake Rangers are available. If you have questions or need assistance during your stay with us, please call the office at 651-290-5772 instead of going to a volunteer site. If you have an emergency, please dial 911.
Firewood restrictions are in effect to prevent the spread of forest insects and disease; Click here for more information
- There are no sewer or water sites at this campground but potable water and a dump station are located in the park.
The shower building and drinking water are available May 1 - October 15.
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 Trail, amusement parks, and numerous shopping opportunities in Brainerd, Baxter, and Nisswa.
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, scenic overlooks, and geocaching opportunities.
Contact Information
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U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS GULL LAKE RECREATION AREA 10867 E GULL LAKE DR BRAINERD MN 56401
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: (651)290-5772
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From the intersection MN 210 and MN 371 in Baxter, drive north 5.8 miles. Turn left on Cty Rd 125 (Gull Lake Dam Road). Follow the signs for approximately 3 miles. Turn left into the campground when you see the playground.
Available Campsites
- Site 19, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 02, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 16, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 24, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 40HOST, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 31, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 23, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 07, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 35, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 20, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 12, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 05, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 36HOST, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 33, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 27, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 29, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 16A, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 09, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 04, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 08, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 15, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 01, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 13, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 12A, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site Shelter, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 18, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 22, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 34, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 37, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 38HOST, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 17, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 32, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 03, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 21, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 06, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 26, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 30, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 39, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 28, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 10, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 14, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 25, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 11, Loop GULL LAKE, Type Standard Electric
