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.
ATTENTION VISITORS
Gull Lake Campground opens for the 2023 camping season on May 1. Reservations MUST be made online utilizing recreation.gov either prior to your visit or immediately upon arrival. The park office can NO LONGER make reservations. However, the staff are happy to help walk you through the process on your smart phone or tablet.
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 check-in, 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.
Firewood restrictions are in effect to prevent the spread of forest insects and disease; Click here for more information
The shower building and drinking water are available May 1 - October 15.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS GULL LAKE RECREATION AREA 10867 E GULL LAKE DR BRAINERD MN 56401
10867 E Gull Lake Dr Brainerd MN 56401
For campground inquiries, please call: (651)290-5772
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
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.