$18 - $24 / night

Camper submitted image from Lake Russell Recreation Area - 1

Camper submitted image from Lake Russell Recreation Area - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Lake Russell Recreation Area - 3

Facilities

Camper submitted image from Lake Russell Recreation Area - 4

Roads

Camper submitted image from Lake Russell Recreation Area - 5

Activities

Established Camping

Lake Russell Recreation Area

11 Reviews

About

National Forest

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Overview

This North Georgia mountain mecca has something for everyone; swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking, biking, fishing and boating.

Recreation

The campground has easy access to the adjacent beach area, boat ramp, Lake Russell Boat Launch and Beach Areas, and the adjacent Lake Russell Wildlife management area. There are numerous hiking and biking trails including the Lady Slipper Trail, Lake Russell Foot Trail, Rhododendron Trail, and Sourwood Trail. Swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities abound.

Facilities

Natural Features

Nestled in the Chattahoochee Oconee Forest, 100-acre Lake Russell is an ideal summer camping location because of the cool mountain air. There are two paved campground loops for easy access to anything you might want to do here.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors to the area can enjoy exploring Anna Ruby Falls; Brasstown Bald Recreation Area (Georgia's highest point); Cornelia, GA; and the Chenocetah Fire Tower.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (706) 754-6221.

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Location

Lake Russell Recreation Area is located in Georgia

Directions

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.

Address

3059 Lake Russell Road
Mt. airy, GA 30563

Coordinates

34.49315 N
83.4949611 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Available

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

Market
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups

SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE

$18 - $24

/ night

First Come - First Served

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Contact

General Info

Hanna P.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 22, 2024

Natural beauty

This was my second time here and I wasn’t a huge fan of this site. Otherwise, beautiful campground with lots of shade and plenty of trails. Limited to no service out here.

Site15

Month of VisitMay

(12) View All

Hanna P.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 22, 2024

Disconnect for the weekend

I love this campground! It feels pretty secluded from the city because of the long drive in. Beautiful sites and plenty of trails nearby. My friend and I brought our hammocks and enjoyed a very peaceful weekend.

Site11

Month of VisitApril

(4) View All

Elizabeth G.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 3, 2024

Quiet Easter Weekend

We booked a last minute night here for Easter weekend to get out of the city. It one of the only places available due to our last minute decision. We stayed in Loop A. It’s smaller than Loop B. With plenty of trees for hammocks, we had plenty of room for both of our tents, 2 hammocks, and both cars. Loop A is in walking distance to the beach area/day use area. It was so peaceful! There’s one bathroom in Loop A. With 2 stalls and one shower in the women’s portion. I’m assuming then men’s is the same. I’d definitely stay here again! I have Verizon and I had one bar here. Enough to send/receive a text but that’s about it.

Site11

Month of VisitApril

(9) View All

WDRoberson

Traveler

Reviewed Nov. 27, 2023

Beautiful But Cramped Campsites

The campground and lake was beautiful with a few easy hiking trails and clean restrooms.

We visited in November and there were not very many other campers which was a good thing since the campsite are much closer together than we prefer.

There was a Burn Ban in effect while we were there, and sadly, the reservation system on Recreation.gov app made no mention of that ban. A camping trip with no campfire is not ideal to say the least.

Site15

Month of VisitDecember

Jeff

Scout

Reviewed Apr. 29, 2021

Correction

I called Lake Russell and they have no electric hookups. This app says they do so be aware.

Michael

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 17, 2021

Nice Lake side camp site

We stayed at the campground over the 2020 Labor day week. It was a nice site. Bath houses were decent. Water was located through out the campgrounds. We stayed in the back loop which is more level. Note you do not need to pay the day use fee if you are camping. The camp host actually retrieved our money we put in the envelope when i mentioned it during check in. The trails in the area have been impacted by several storms in the last few years and many of them are blocked by fallen trees.

Site39

Month of VisitOctober

Elizabeth W.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 15, 2020

Would recommend

Not as cramped & crowded as State parks. First loop is first come first serve, with sites closer to the beach side of lake, if you're there in the summer. However, the reserved sites on 2nd loop are more private & some offer good lake views. Bathrooms were plenty & decent. Hosts brought firewood by at check-in, available to purchase, very convenient. Cute rural Towns nearby for shopping & eating.

(9) View All

Josh D.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 11, 2020

Great Primitive sites

Great spot with plenty of exploring, swimming and fishing spots.

Elizabeth G.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 30, 2020

Beautiful lake!

Beautiful lake for fishing with hiking trails around. There’s plenty of dispersed picnic area for day use. I saw some signs that said horses could use one of the hiking trails so that’s cool. Looks a little bit overgrown in the back portion but my guess is since things were shut down for awhile for covid. Very peaceful!

(7) View All

Hanna N.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 23, 2019

Loved camping here!

We had a blast camping here.

(4) View All

Hiking Diva ..

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 13, 2016

A Wonderful Uncrowded Gem

As a native Atlantan, I had never heard of Russell Lake but saw a sign and dropped by. Color me impressed...

2 different loops with 42 sites of varying sizes from tiny to monsterous - assume itncould accommodate RVs. Some sites overlook the lake - which includes a cacophony of frogs, crickets, and deer, Each site includes tent pad, fire ring. picnic table, lantern post. Trash, potable water, and bathhouses accessible on both loops.

I prefer the lower loop bc it is a quick 3 min walk to the large beach and swimming area. No motorized boats are allowed, so the lake is wonderfully peaceful. There are very few people who are at the lake - even on 4th of July wknd!

There are quite a few hiking trails from the easy Russell Lake Loop, to more challenging trails like Ladyslipper.

The campground has had some wear and tear. I spent more than an hour picking up cig butts from one campsite and the bathrooms aren't the greatest... but the Civilian Conservation Corps has been working on cleaning stuff up.

Hint: the bathroom at the beach is MUCH nicer if you don't mind cold showers (hot ones in camp loop). Another bonus is that there is a convenience store just outside the entrance to stock up on ice, etc.