State Forest · Minnesota
Gulch Lake Campground and Day-Use Area
State Forest · Minnesota, United States · in Paul Bunyan State Forest
- Sites
- 6
- Cost
- $17 per night, taxes included; group campsites $50 per night
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,460 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile good · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 218-699-7251
About
The campground is adjacent to the public landing. The campsites are considered "primitive," designed to furnish only the basic needs of the camper. The campsites consist of a cleared area, fire ring, and table. Vault toilets, garbage cans, and drinking water are available.
Gulch Lake Campground is located near Nelson Lake, Lake 21, and Bass Lake. The campground also serves as a great access point to hiking trails, water accesses, and picnic sites.
The campground and day-use area is located in a game refuge and non-motorized recreation area. ATV use is not allowed.
6 primitive campsites. 1 group campsite, reserved up to 120 days ahead. First come, first served for individual sites; pay the camping fee online on the day you arrive, or at a state park ranger station. Managed from Itasca State Park (218-699-7251). In Paul Bunyan State Forest.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16° | 0° | -25° | 41° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 19° | 2° | -29° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 36° | 20° | -10° | 63° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 43° | 30° | 14° | 73° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 63° | 44° | 30° | 83° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 58° | 45° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 63° | 52° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 62° | 54° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 56° | 41° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 54° | 41° | 24° | 70° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 37° | 26° | 2° | 60° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 26° | 15° | -19° | 47° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Mantrap Lake Campground and Day-Use Area · State Forest · 8 mi · 38 sites
- Akeley City Park & Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 12 mi
- South Pike Bay Recreation Area · USDA Forest Service · 17 mi
- South Pike Bay · USDA Forest Service · 17 mi · 22 sites
- Hungryman Lake Campground and Day Use Area · State Forest · 18 mi · 14 sites
All public campgrounds in Minnesota · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.