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
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Rates, Sites & Availability
41 Sites Available
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Site Details
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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
Kenneth J
VerifiedJuly 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
I was very disappointed to learn that the restrooms near our camp site were closed, and had been for a number of years.
However the restrooms are clearly shown on the campgrounds website(one of the reasons I chose the particular sites for our family)!
The campground was very clean, and the restrooms that were open were well maintained. The camp host (Mike) was very pleasant and helpful.
Alexandra R
VerifiedJuly 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Beautiful campsites that are not too close to one another, clean facilities, and quiet atmosphere
hong jang k
VerifiedJuly 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
not good
Sheri D
VerifiedJune 28, 2020 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Most of the campsites are spacious leaving plenty of room between sites. Close access to the lake and beach area allowed for a wonderful afternoon of kayaking and floating in tubes. The entire camp including the bathrooms were well maintained and clean. Helen, Tallulah Falls, hiking, and the drive-in located in Tiger are all close by (gates lock at 10pm so just let the host know). Camp hosts were very welcoming and kind.
Ji H
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
The people who run it were very friendly and the the area was very scenic.
JOhn S
VerifiedDecember 18, 2019 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
I love this campground. The camp hosts Sabrina and Rhonda are wonderful people and so pleasant to be around. The sites do not have electrical or water hookup but are very spacious and well maintained. This style of camping is what I enjoy most and seems to bring out the best campers. Simple camping without the distractions of the more developed campgrounds and being packed on top of each other like cord wood. A great lake for swimming, paddling around a canoe or kayak or fishing. I wish it stayed open year around or at least through some of the cooler months. I will certainly 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.
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Last updated: June 3, 2026
