Lake Russell Recreation Area
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Georgia
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As of September 2026, Lake Russell Recreation Area is a campground in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia with 41 campsites. Lake Russell Recreation Area is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks Lake Russell Recreation Area for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- Lake Russell Recreation Area is located at 34.4931° N, 83.4950° W.
- people allowed on 39 of 41 sites
- 5
- people allowed on each of the 2 largest sites
- 10
Lake Russell Recreation Area reservations and next available dates
September 2026
Stay and booking rules
- Campsites held at once: 3 campsite(s) held
- Maximum reservations at once: 1 reservations
- Maximum per transaction: 1 reservations per transaction
Published by Recreation.gov for Lake Russell Recreation Area, read on September 30, 2026.
Campsites at Lake Russell Recreation Area
- Standard 32
- Tent 9
What an RV fits
- 30–34 ft2 sites
- 35–39 ft3 sites
- 40–44 ft1 site
- 45–49 ft1 site
- 50–54 ft2 sites
- 55–59 ft4 sites
- 60–64 ft1 site
- 65–69 ft2 sites
Amenities
- restrooms
- showers
- potable water
- dump station
At a glance: Setting: Mountain · Access: Paved road.
Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, wildlife, climbing.
All sites at Lake Russell Recreation Area, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the LAKE RUSSELL RECREATION AREA loop.
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Max RV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Tent | 5 | - |
| 02 | Tent | 5 | - |
| 03 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 04 | Standard | 5 | 34 ft |
| 05 | Standard | 5 | 38 ft |
| 06 | Standard | 5 | 65 ft |
| 07 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 08 | Standard | 5 | 52 ft |
| 09 | Standard | 5 | 35 ft |
| 10 | Tent | 5 | - |
| 11 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 12 | Tent | 5 | - |
| 13 | Tent | 5 | - |
| 14 | Tent | 5 | - |
| 15 | Standard | 5 | 42 ft |
| 16 | Standard | 5 | 35 ft |
| 17 | Tent | 5 | - |
| 18 | Tent | 5 | - |
| 19 | Tent | 5 | - |
| 20 | Standard | 5 | 56 ft |
| 21 | Standard | 5 | - |
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Max RV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 23 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 25 | Standard | 5 | 59 ft |
| 26 | Standard | 5 | 60 ft |
| 27 | Standard | 5 | 50 ft |
| 28 | Standard | 5 | 59 ft |
| 29 | Standard | 5 | 65 ft |
| 30D | Standard | 10 | 49 ft |
| 31 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 32 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 33 | Standard | 5 | 30 ft |
| 34 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 35 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 36 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 37 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 38 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 39 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 40 | Standard | 5 | 59 ft |
| 41 | Standard | 5 | - |
| 42D | Standard | 10 | - |
About Lake Russell Recreation Area
Overview
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,
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. 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. Additional trails abound in the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area to keep you exploring the naturalized area that covers the lake and several miles of lands in the mountains and valleys that contribute to the Broad River watershed.
Road Bikers enjoy the asphalt roads that encompass both Nancytown and Lake Russell Recreation Areas, the highly motivated aim for the access road and climb the hill back toward Mt. Airy, Georgia. The nearest town, Mt. Airy includes convenience stores nearby where you can find bait and tackle, ice, drinks, and various sundries to complement your visit.
Facilities
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.
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. Additional trails abound in the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area to keep you exploring the naturalized area that covers the lake and several miles of lands in the mountains and valleys that contribute to the Broad River watershed.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (706) 754-6221.
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.
Rules and notices at Lake Russell Recreation Area
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Lake Russell Recreation Area on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
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.
Campsites are available through reservation only. Check-out time is 12:01 pm and check-in time starts at 2:00 pm
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.
Lake Russell Recreation Area FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
Lake Russell Recreation Area is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.
How do I find last-minute availability at Lake Russell Recreation Area?
Cancellations happen frequently at Lake Russell Recreation Area, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Lake Russell Recreation Area have?
Lake Russell Recreation Area has 41 campsites.
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