About Lake Russell Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 41
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Lake Russell Recreation Area.
Rates, Sites & Availability
41 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
41 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (106)
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Russell Recreation Area offers a peaceful and serene camping experience, with fun bike trails and a lovely beach for lake access. Many reviewers appreciated the friendly campground host and the well-maintained campsites. However, there were concerns about restroom cleanliness, maintenance issues, and some overcrowding with neighboring campers, which detracted from the overall experience for some visitors.
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Russell Recreation Area offers a peaceful and serene camping experience, with fun bike trails and a lovely beach for lake access. Many reviewers appreciated the friendly campground host and the well-maintained campsites. However, there were concerns about restroom cleanliness, maintenance issues, and some overcrowding with neighboring campers, which detracted from the overall experience for some visitors.
Review Summary
Chris G
VerifiedNovember 8, 2020 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Great hosts who were very friendly and cleaned the bathrooms well
Jan P
VerifiedNovember 1, 2020 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
The campground was well kept bathrooms were clean. We enjoyed the variety of hikings trails and had a pleasant experience. The camp hosts were very cordial and a great resource!
Javier B
VerifiedOctober 28, 2020 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Had a great time. The hiking was wonderful. Even the rain didn't ruin the trip. The hosts were always around and ready to help any way they could. Very clean bathrooms.
John R
VerifiedOctober 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
I found this campground to be a very wonderful site, just wish that there had been electric and water hookup. I would definitely camp there again
Sean B
VerifiedOctober 25, 2020 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Had a great stay at Lake Russell (Oct 2020)! Many fellow tent campers, restrooms are well-maintained, good location day hikes nearby or a walk around the lake recreation area.
Linda S
VerifiedOctober 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
The simple beauty of the lake and the mountains makes this a really great campround to relax and enjoy. We did a strenuous hike up to Chenoceta Tower and it embodied everything great about hiking. The campground staff were knowldgeable, attentive and friendly. Bathhouses were clean and well taken care of. We loved this place and will definintely be back!
kevin w
VerifiedOctober 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
I enjoyed my stay the bathrooms we relatively closed to the site I stayed at. the trail that loops around the lake was pretty awsome i went riding a bike and most of the parts are relatively easy some parts were a bit tough and i had to walk it but i would definitely go again.
Rebecca W
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
The campground hosts are wonderful! The campsite and bath houses are very clean and clear. There was a small group (3-4) young people next to me that didn't remember that they were not the only ones in the campground. The hosts would have addressed it, but it was my last night and it was late. I already have a reservation to return in a month.
Michael G
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
We had site 39. It was a nice location. All the spots are a good distance apart. The bathhouses were clean and the staff was very nice.
Charles H
VerifiedSeptember 24, 2020 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Staff is very welcoming and friendly. Location is older... looks like it could use some sprucing up. Trails also need some attention. Overall, I would definitly return.
Location Lake Russell Recreation Area
Address:
3059 Lake Russell Road
Mt. Airy, GA, 30563
United States
Take Ga 365/U.S. 23 North from Gainesville past Cornelia to Hwy 197. Turn right for approximately 3 miles until dead-end. Right on Dicks Hill Parkway for approx.3/4 mile. Turn left onto the paved Lake Russell Road.
Lake Russell Recreation Area is accessible via Ga 365/U.S. 23 and Hwy 197. Ga 365/U.S. 23 is the nearest major road, providing access from Gainesville.
Latitude & Longitude: 34.4931 / -83.495
Elevation: 321 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
2PM
Check out time
12:01PM
General
- If a generator is unreasonably disturbing to other campers you may be asked to turn it off.
- Click here for more information on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
- Third loop for future use and part of campground facility. No hunting within any developed campground, developed campsite, developed trail, or other developed recreation site on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
- 14 day stay limit at all campsites. All parties must vacate the site to allow other visitors to enjoy camping on that site.
- The bathroom across from Campsite #25 has been decommissioned and is no longer in use.
- No driving, unloading, or loading of any ATVs or UTV, allowed on or near all the campgrounds, dispersed campsites, and Day Use Areas to include Nancytown, and the Lake Russell WMA.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 3, 2026
