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
Mike K
VerifiedApril 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Beautiful walk around the lake.
Jimmy M
VerifiedMarch 31, 2024 • Stayed at: 30D, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
EXCELLENT TIME!! It was daddy/daughter’s first camping trip! My daughter and I, my son-in-law and granddaughter. The campsites and restrooms were clean and the lake was beautiful! We caught it just before the busy season which made it that much more special because we almost had the place to ourselves. I will only camp at one site because the other sites are too close for my personal preference. All in all the place was EXCELLENT and we are certainly planning on a return trip!
Janice R
VerifiedMarch 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
The site was satisfactory although pretty small. There was no amenities, but they did have a flush toilet. The lake nearby is beautiful and can be used for fishing or swimming. The price is a lot compared to other campgrounds that have electricity and water.
Kenneth S
VerifiedNovember 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Nice campground.
Beth W
VerifiedNovember 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Second time at lake Russell, had a fantastic experience
Anna S
VerifiedNovember 1, 2023 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
This camp is beautiful and like a home away from home!
Elizabeth C
VerifiedOctober 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
We only stayed one night out of desperation. The actual site was in need of repairs and is at a steep incline. They need to do some updating to the campground and website.
Mark I
VerifiedOctober 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
12 is not the best spot for tent camping, but there are 2 good spots for tents and several trees that would be good for hammock camping. The bathrooms were well maintained until we had another camper come in and mess it up for all of us. The camp host is very nice and pointed out the best hikes for us. I recommend taking the rhododendron lake access trail to the top of Mount Chinocetah for a spectacular view, and of course there are lots of good fishing spots around the lake that are only available to campers. Overall a good time.
Terry and Jewell S
VerifiedOctober 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
I go for peace and quiet.
Mahesh H
VerifiedOctober 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Super
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
