Lake Russell Recreation Area
This North Georgia mountain mecca has something for everyone, swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking, biking (on and off road), fishing and boating (electric, wind, or human powered), wildlife, foliage, camping,
More like this: electric hookups in Georgia · full hookups in Georgia · reservable in Georgia · big rigs in Georgia · pets allowed in Georgia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 32 |
| Tent-only | 9 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
35 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Tent only | Back-in | 43 | Partial | 5 / 2 | Yes |
| 02 | Tent only | Back-in | 22 | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 29 | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 04 | Standard | Back-in | 34 | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 38 | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 65 | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 07 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 08 | Standard | Back-in | 52 | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 09 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 10 | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | 5 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:01 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 67 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The campground offers 42 campsites for tents and RVs, however there are no hookups. Campsites have a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern hook. Water is available throughout the campground via water hydrants. Bathrooms have flush toilets with showers. Adjacent to the campground area includes a grass-covered beach and swimming area, picnic shelter/picnic area, biking, boat launch, fishing dock, and near Loop A of the campground is a dump station.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year-round |
| Forest | Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
| Booking | Pay for your activity pass at Lake Russell Boat Launch and Beach Day Use with the Recreation.gov Mobile App. |
| Fees | Picnic and Swim Site: $5/non-commercial vehicle per day and Boat Launch and Trailhead Parking: $5/vehicle/day https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP21154 Nancytown Day Use $5/vehicle/day https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP21152 |
| Rules | Day use sites only and the areas are closed between Sunset and Sunrise. Hunters must be at least 150 yards (450 feet) from any developed recreation areas including day-use sites, recreation facilities/equipment, or campgrounds to hunt or discharge a firearm. |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Mt. Airy, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 34.4931° N, 83.4950° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Cleveland RV ↗ | 14.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 18.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Chattooga Whitewater Outfitters ↗ | 24.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Lake Russell Campground/Georgia/Complete Tour
Worth a stop
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.
- under 0.1 miLake Russell Boat Launch And Beach Areas ↗Boat launch
- 0.8 mi
- 8.4 miLocust Stake Ohv Trails ↗OHV / range
- 14.9 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miRhododendron Lake Access1.2 mi trail · hiking
- 0.7 miRhododendron Trail1.7 mi trail · hiking
- 0.8 miNancytown Lake Loop0.7 mi trail · hiking
- 0.8 miLake Russell Loop ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking
- 0.9 miLadyslipper ↗5.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miSourwood2.7 mi trail · hiking, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests begins about 8.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.7 miChattahoochee-Oconee National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,796,317 acres
- 14.6 miNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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 everything there is to do here. No gas motors allowed on the lake, nor the adjacent Nancytown Lake. The Nancytown Recreation area adjoins the Lake Russell Rec Area, and includes several popular trailheads as well as the smaller Nancytown Lake. Parking Access at Nancytown is included for day use visitors to the Lake Russell Recreation Area, and registered campers. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources stocks trout in Nancytown Lake four times between March and August. While the Broad River courses through the adjacent WMA also produces trout for the hearty angler. Many other fish species can be found in both Nancytown Lake and Lake Russell. Mountain bikers will find miles of single track; the Lady Slipper Trail is a popular trail of moderate difficulty. There are many trail options for hikers that include the lake loop as well as the rhododendron trail that connects to the manicured area atop Chenoceta Mountain where the Chenoceta Fire Tower can be found.
Recreation
The Lake Russell Recreation Area maintains a swim beach for those hot summer days, along with plenty of picnic spaces with tables and grills to help fuel your day in the mountains. No dogs on the beach please, and no shore fishing within the swim area boundary. The Nancytown Recreation area adjoins the Lake Russell Rec Area and includes several popular trailheads as well as the smaller Nancytown Lake. Parking Access at Nancytown is included for day use visitors to the Lake Russell Recreation Area, and registered campers. No gas motors allowed on Lake Russell, nor the adjacent Nancytown Lake. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources stocks trout in Nancytown Lake four times between March and August. While the Broad River coursing through the adjacent WMA also produces trout for the hearty angler. Many other fish species can be found in both Nancytown Lake and Lake Russell. Mountain bikers will find miles of single track; the Lady Slipper Trail is a popular trail of moderate difficulty.
Guidebooks for Georgia
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
Sites at Lake Russell Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Pay for your activity pass at Lake Russell Boat Launch and Beach Day Use with the Recreation.gov Mobile App. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
Picnic and Swim Site: $5/non-commercial vehicle per day and Boat Launch and Trailhead Parking: $5/vehicle/day https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP21154 Nancytown Day Use $5/vehicle/day https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP21152
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:01 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lake Russell Recreation Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Year-round.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Lake Russell Recreation Area have?
42 sites, including 32 standard sites without power and 9 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 67 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Lake Russell Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
Bathrooms have flush toilets with showers.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Russell Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Day use sites only and the areas are closed between Sunset and Sunrise.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
The Lake Russell Recreation Area maintains a swim beach for those hot summer days, along with plenty of picnic spaces with tables and grills to help fuel your day in the mountains. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Lake Russell Recreation Area?
Mt. Airy, Georgia. 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.
Source: Getting there