How much does camping cost at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Camping fees at Gull Lake Recreation Area are $32 - $50/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Gull Lake Recreation Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Gull Lake Recreation Area accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Gull Lake Recreation Area before I book?

Yes! Gull Lake Recreation Area has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Gull Lake Recreation Area is open May 14 to October 14. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Yes, Gull Lake Recreation Area has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Cell phone service at Gull Lake Recreation Area is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Gull Lake Recreation Area have?

Gull Lake Recreation Area has 39 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Gull Lake Recreation Area. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Gull Lake Recreation Area offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Popular activities at Gull Lake Recreation Area include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Gull Lake Recreation Area

4.68

495 reviews

10867 E Gull Lake Dr

Top 8% in MNFall

B+Report Card

Family FriendlyScenic ViewsSwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Beach Camping Minnesota#1 Tent Camping Minnesota#2 Swimming Camping Minnesota#2 +12 more

Quick Facts

1,240 ft

Price

$32 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

39 campsites

Season

The shower building ...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,240 ft

Price

$32 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

39 campsites

Season

The shower building ...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Gull Lake Recreation Area

$32.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC-111505: $50.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC-123883: $32.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $32.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee...

Group Site Fee$50.00

Get Notified When Available

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Provider

(651)290-5772

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

10867 E Gull Lake Dr

Gull Lake Recreation Area

10867 E Gull Lake Dr

Nearby places

Brainerd (approximately 7 miles), Baxter (approximately 7 miles), Nisswa (approximately 13 miles)

Weather at Gull Lake Recreation Area

Best Time to Camp at Gull Lake Recreation Area

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best mix of comfortable weather, peak foliage, and quieter crowds — expect daytime highs in the 50s–70s°F and crisp nights in the 30s–50s°F. Lake and river scenery is at its most photogenic as maples and oaks turn color, making hiking, wildlife viewing (including loon and eagle sightings), and scenic drives excellent. Fishing and paddling remain productive as water temperatures cool, but campsites are noticeably less crowded than midsummer, especially on weekdays. Peak months: September, October, August, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 8% in MN

Identified as best season: peak foliage, comfortable temps and quieter crowds.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 14 to October 14. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The shower building and drinking water are available May 14 - October 15.

About Gull Lake Recreation Area

Gull Lake Recreation Area sits in the Mississippi River Headwaters region near Brainerd, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This mid-sized campground in the foothills offers electric hookups, showers, and a dump station alongside tent and RV sites. Campers fish, swim, boat, and bike, with fall bringing peak foliage and excellent wildlife viewing including loons and eagles.

The campground accommodates various camping styles, including tent, RV, and group camping. Primitive camping and luxury glamping options are unavailable.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best mix of comfortable weather, peak foliage, and quieter crowds — expect daytime highs in the 50s–70s°F and crisp nights in the 30s–50s°F. Lake and river scenery is at its most photogenic as maples and oaks turn color, making hiking, wildlife viewing (including loon and eagle sightings), and scenic drives excellent. Fishing and paddling remain productive as water temperatures cool, but campsites are noticeably less crowded than midsummer, especially on weekdays. Peak months: September, October, August, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation1240 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryGlaciers from Canada sculpted this landscape thousands of years ago, leaving behind the lake-river confluence that defines the area today. Towering pines and undergrowth shade the sites. Loons call across the water. Bald eagles soar overhead, and deer browse the forest edges. The mix of lake and river creates varied habitat where mornings often bring mist and evenings paint the water in changing light.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style accommodations are available.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay of 14 nights allowed. Within rolling 30 days, the maximum total stay is also 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Two tents OR one wheeled camping unit plus one tent allowed per campsite.

Groups

Group camping includes spaces for shelters with 50 amp electricity, ideal for larger gatherings.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations must be made online at Recreation.gov. Staff at the campground can assist with the process but cannot make reservations on your behalf.

AccessibilityAccessible sites are available, with mostly level pads and wide camping areas. "Plenty of space between campsites," was noted by users.

Site SizeSites are described as generously spaced, large, with some up to 110 feet deep. "Lovely camp sites with lots of trees," remarked one user.

PrivacyHigh privacy is noted due to dense foliage between sites. "Trees and smaller undergrowth have been left between the sites," one camper commented.

Total Campsites39 campsites

Recommended SitesSite #34 is noted for its space and privacy, although large RV users should exercise caution due to overhanging trees. Sites #07 and #23 are recommended for spacious layouts and proximity to clean facilities.

Best CampsitesSites 34, 7, and 23 get consistent praise in reviews for privacy, cleanliness, and scenic settings. Reviewers note that the trees and spacing make most sites feel secluded.

Need help booking Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

There are no sewer or water sites at this campground but potable water and a dump station are located at the campground entrance.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Gull Lake Recreation Area

The campground offers an array of activities including hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, biking, wildlife viewing, stargazing, and interpretive programs. Seasonal activities such as ice fishing and snowshoeing are also available.

Fishing4.0/5

Swimming4.0/5Top 25% in Minnesota

Biking4.0/5Top 12% in Minnesota

Paved trails within park and links to the Paul Bunyan State Trail; biking highly recommended.

Boating4.0/5

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Frequent sightings: loons, bald eagles, river otters, deer; fall noted for excellent viewing.

Beach activities4.0/5

Gull Lake beach used for swimming and sunbathing; noted as clean and convenient to sites.

Water Sports4.0/5

Hiking3.0/5

Self-guided interpretive trail with scenic overlooks and geocaching, but limited trail network noted.

Winter Activities3.0/5

Ice fishing and snowshoeing available but many services/buildings closed off-season.

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Scenic overlooks, fall foliage, loons and eagles provide excellent photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Gull Lake Recreation Area

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From Booking Sources

4.7

495 reviews

Top-Rated

Gull Lake Recreation Area is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground receives high praise for cleanliness, spacious and private sites, and well-maintained amenities. Staff and volunteers are frequently mentioned as friendly and helpful. However, some concerns include narrow roads, older facilities, and occasional issues with site reservations.

Review Summaries

Based on 495 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers consistently cited clean facilities, helpful staff, spacious sites, and proximity to attractions. "The cleanest bathrooms we’ve ever seen at a campground," and "Campground hosts take great...

Based on 495 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints included narrow roads for large RVs, difficulty with reservations and modifications, limited laundry access, and occasional electrical issues.

Based on 495 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #07: Spacious but challenging for large rigs; Site #34: Excellent privacy but not recommended for motorhomes longer than 35 feet due to tree obstacles; Site #12A: Shared site with minimal...

Based on 495 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests suggest bringing DEET for ticks, planning ahead for narrow roads, and filling water tanks early as potable water is only available at the entrance.

Based on 495 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Fall camping is especially praised for its quiet atmosphere and vibrant foliage. Summer reviews highlight swimming and boating activities but note higher mosquito presence.

Based on 495 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Best campground ever! Shady and private sites," "Excellent time at Gull Lake recreation area. Well-maintained and clean," "Campground appearance was very good, neat and well-maintained," "Clean...

Based on 495 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible sites are level and provide ample space for maneuvering. Guests with disabilities praised the cleanliness and proximity of restrooms.

Based on 495 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Mixed reviews regarding pet experiences. While the campground is pet-friendly, one reviewer reported an incident involving a dog bite.

Based on 495 reviews

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Gull Lake Recreation Area

$32.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC-111505: $50.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC-123883: $32.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $32.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee...

Group Site Fee$50.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(651)290-5772

Go if

You want a well-maintained base camp for lake recreation with reliable hookups and helpful hosts.

Skip if

You're bringing a large RV or seeking backcountry solitude and extensive trail systems.

Nearby Campgrounds

3124 State Park Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401

Crow Wing Campground sits in Crow Wing State Park, offering shaded sites and river access at $8–$10 per night. The campground requires reservations for all sites and provides electric hookups, flush toilets, and showers. Campers can wade in the river, explore prairie and woodland trails, or attend evening naturalist programs.

Gull Lake Recreation Area

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Gull Lake Recreation Area

Campground Map

Weather at Gull Lake Recreation Area

Best Time to Camp at Gull Lake Recreation Area

Planning Tips

About Gull Lake Recreation Area

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Gull Lake Recreation Area

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

How campers graded it

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Featured in these camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Gull Lake Recreation Area

Best Time to Camp at Gull Lake Recreation Area

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Gull Lake Recreation Area?

Amenities available

Things to do at Gull Lake Recreation Area

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews