Available sites
41 total sitesAbout Lake Russell Recreation Area
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
Rates, Sites & Availability
41 Sites Available
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No available sites
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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 (119)
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Russell Recreation Area offers a peaceful and beautiful environment with spacious campsites and friendly staff, making it a popular choice for regular visitors. Many guests appreciate the quiet atmosphere, opportunities for fishing and hiking, and the overall charm of the area. However, there are concerns regarding the maintenance of bathrooms, cleanliness, and some campsite conditions, which detract from the experience for some visitors.
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Russell Recreation Area offers a peaceful and beautiful environment with spacious campsites and friendly staff, making it a popular choice for regular visitors. Many guests appreciate the quiet atmosphere, opportunities for fishing and hiking, and the overall charm of the area. However, there are concerns regarding the maintenance of bathrooms, cleanliness, and some campsite conditions, which detract from the experience for some visitors.
Review Summary
T.J. E
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2021 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Great campsite on the lake! The Camp hosts are welcoming and helpful.
yue c
VerifiedFebruary 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Really helpful, warm and welcoming camp hosts! The chorus of spring peepers at night was just lovely
Indra T
VerifiedMarch 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
I couldn’t attend because a tree was down. I was told I could reschedule and then told that was incorrect information. I will try it again. I was very disappointed thematic I was not refunded for the inconvenience.
Patrick K
VerifiedMarch 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 41, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
I didn’t catch the name of my campground hosts but they were very sweet! I even got a free bundle of wood for helping them out with something. Campers were all friendly and respectful.
Michael L
VerifiedMarch 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Great stay, clean bathrooms, and showers. The host were great and helpful. Hope to see both loops open in the future.
David N
VerifiedMarch 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Campground Hosts were great.
Water spigots need signs.
Departure times have contradictions ( 12?or 2).
Great place to visit.
Indra T
VerifiedMarch 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
The camp manager and host were great. I was a little worried at first when I wasn’t refunded for a two nite stay but couldn’t get into the site because of a downed tree. After speaking with the camp manager I wasn’t as upset for the hard no refund policy, but I do think that needs to be worked out better.
Once I camped it was amazing, quiet, off the beaten path, the lake is wonderful. The campground is well maintained and that is always a plus. Would and will stay there again. For sure.
Joette K
VerifiedApril 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
The park was great. Loved the trails water and trees.
Site was very unlevel. Was very difficult to setup.
But otherwise was nice.
John L
VerifiedApril 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Host was very accommodating and polite. location was wonderful. fee very fair.
Duncan S
VerifiedMay 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
It is great that you have hosts to welcome people & answer questions.
Location & Directions for Lake Russell Recreation Area
3059 Lake Russell Road, Mt. Airy, GA 30563 United States
Elevation: 321 ft
Getting There
Take Ga 365/U.S. 23 North from Gainesville past Cornelia to Hwy 197. Turn right for approximately 3 mi until dead-end. Right on Dicks Hill Parkway for approx.3/4 mi. Turn left onto the paved Lake Russell Road.
Highway access
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.
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: October 20, 2026