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.
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 (104)
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Russell Recreation Area offers a peaceful and serene camping experience, with beautiful wooded surroundings and friendly staff. Many campers appreciated the spacious and well-maintained sites, as well as the intimate lake setting ideal for fishing and kayaking. However, several reviews noted issues with cleanliness, particularly in the bathrooms, and the condition of some parking areas, indicating a need for better maintenance and oversight from the camp host.
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Russell Recreation Area offers a peaceful and serene camping experience, with beautiful wooded surroundings and friendly staff. Many campers appreciated the spacious and well-maintained sites, as well as the intimate lake setting ideal for fishing and kayaking. However, several reviews noted issues with cleanliness, particularly in the bathrooms, and the condition of some parking areas, indicating a need for better maintenance and oversight from the camp host.
Review Summary
Diane B
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Great Park, one smaller issue, bath house near campground spot 29 is closed down, longer walk than I expected to the next bath house.
Leigha J
VerifiedJuly 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
This is a hidden gem that isn't too busy. The campsites are near enough to the water that you can put in your SUP or kayak right there. The lake is small enough to paddle around in two hours relaxingly. The campsite doesn't get a lot of wind off the water though so it is muggy and buggy. There's only one shower per bathroom so plan accordingly. The swimming area across the lake from the campsite is interesting. It is grass instead of sand, which is nice because you don't get sand everywhere but the stairs to the water are constantly slippery, beware. A great overnight trip away from it all when you still want to be a close drive back to the city.
Dwain T
VerifiedJune 10, 2021 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
I originally booked a site in Loop B but wasn't really my idea of a good site. The amazing hosts recommended I take a look at the Loop A sites as there was one overlooking the lake but a walk in site which was more remote than the one I originally booked. Great recommendation! I loved site 13, quiet and peaceful but near to the immaculate shower and bathroom facilities. Always extremely clean. Well stocked. These hosts are by far the best I have come across and personable. They are respectful and professional which helped when there was one problem. I would recommend this campsite but the only downside is the lack of mobile coverage on site. That's the only drawback I can mention. Great walking trails. We didn't swim at all but we did hike and explore the different tourist destinations around Mt. Airy and Cornelia Georgia. Just an hour and a half from Atlanta and a little more to WNC mountains and Brevard NC. Ingles is 15 minutes away and the Walmart not too much further so easy to supply yourself but feels like you are out in the woods.
Brian B
VerifiedMay 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA
Very well kept and the park officials were very polite and helpful.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 34.4931 / -83.495
Elevation: 321 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Low Volume Generators may be used up to 4 hours per day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Quiet hours are between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. If a generator is unreasonably disturbing to other campers you may be asked to turn it off. |
| General |
Campsites are available through reservation only. Check-out time is 12:01 pm and check-in time starts at 2:00 pm |
| General |
Click here for more information on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
14 day stay limit at all campsites. All parties must vacate the site to allow other visitors to enjoy camping on that site. |
| General |
The bathroom across from Campsite #25 has been decommissioned and is no longer in use. |
| General |
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. |