Lake Russell Recreation Area
USDA Forest Service campground in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, near Mt. Airy, Georgia.
Summary
Lake Russell Recreation Area in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is about 72 miles (straight line) from Atlanta; it is run by the USDA Forest Service. The campground lists 41 overnight sites (including 9 tent-only sites); it charges nightly fees from $24 to $48, and it is listed as open year-round. RVs and trailers up to 65 ft can fit, and sites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Mountain bikers get 15.8 miles of bike-legal trail within 5 miles, the closest being Lake Russell Loop (at the campground).
When it's open
Year-round
More Georgia campgrounds open year-round →
Source: USDA Forest Service recreation page. It says: “Seasons of Use: year-round”
Hookups & amenities
- 🚿ShowersNot listed
- 🚻ToiletsNot listed
- 🚰Drinking waterNot listed
- ⚡Electric hookupsNot listed
- 💧Water hookupsNot listed
- 🔧Sewer hookupsNot listed
- 🔌Full hookups (E/W/S)Not listed
- 🚐Dump stationNot listed
- 📶Wi-FiNot listed
- 🧺LaundryNot listed
- 🏪Camp storeNot listed
- 🛝PlaygroundNot listed
- 🏊SwimmingNot listed
- 🚤Boat rampNot listed
- 🐕Pet-friendlyListed
- ♿ADA-accessible sitesNot listed
- 🛖CabinsNot listed
- 🔥Fire ringsListed
- 🍖GrillsListed
- 🪑Picnic tablesListed
- 🧑Camp hostNot listed
- 🐻Food storage lockersNot listed
Listed only when Recreation.gov site records report it. "Not listed" means the source doesn't say, not that the campground lacks it.
Map: trails and roads near Lake Russell Recreation Area
Loads MapLibre with OpenFreeMap tiles only when you tap.
Campsite layout
Check live availability on Recreation.gov ↗
We don't show live availability. Openings change by the minute and only the official reservation system has them.
How it compares
- With 41 sites it is the #53 largest of 92 Georgia campgrounds that publish a site count.
- Its lowest fee ($24) is $9 above the Georgia median of $15/night.
- There are 16 other campgrounds in our data within 25 miles; 1 of them list a lower starting fee.
- 31% of Georgia campgrounds that publish a length limit accept a rig this long (65 ft).
- 100% of sites with a shade rating are listed as shaded or partly shaded.
- Pets allowed on 41 of 41 sites; campfires allowed on 41 (subject to seasonal fire bans).
- Straight-line distance: Atlanta ~72 mi, Asheville ~93 mi, Knoxville ~104 mi.
Site mix
Amenities & rules
Fire pitsGrillsLantern postsPicnic tablesTent padsPets allowedTentsRVs/trailers
Nightly fee: $24–$48, from the USDA Forest Service recreation page page (retrieved Oct 20, 2026).
Trails within 5 miles
| Trail | Closest point | Mapped miles within 5 mi | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Russell Loop | 0.0 mi | 4.6 | USFS |
| Rhododendron Lake Access | 0.3 mi | 1.1 | USFS |
| Rhododendron Trail | 0.7 mi | 1.6 | USFS |
| Nancytown Lake Loop | 0.7 mi | 0.6 | USFS |
| Ladyslipper | 0.8 mi | 4.9 | USFS |
| Sourwood | 1.0 mi | 2.5 | USFS |
| Broad River | 3.4 mi | 3.7 | USFS |
Mountain biking nearby
15.8 miles of bike-legal trail lie within 5 miles. Difficulty mix: Unrated: 15.8 mi
| Trail | Closest point | Miles within 5 mi | Difficulty (as tagged) | Kids | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Russell Loop | 0.0 mi | 4.8 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Rhododendron Lake Access | 0.3 mi | 1.2 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Rhododendron Trail | 0.6 mi | 1.3 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Nancytown Lake Loop | 0.7 mi | 0.7 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Ladyslipper | 0.8 mi | 5.3 | Unrated | OSM | |
| Sourwood | 1.0 mi | 2.5 | Unrated | USFS |
Ratings come only from OpenStreetMap mtb:scale / IMBA tags. Untagged trails show as "Unrated", and we never guess. Check conditions and maps on Trailforks or MTB Project.
Dump stations near Lake Russell Recreation Area
| Public dump station (OpenStreetMap) | Distance | Fee | Water | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dump station (unnamed in OSM) | 18.1 mi | Free | Yes | Customers |
| Dump station (unnamed in OSM) | 18.5 mi | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Straight-line distances. Dump station points: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); fees, hours and access change, so confirm before you go.
Activities listed
BikingBoatingCampingFire Lookouts/cabins OvernightFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback RidingOff Highway VehiclePicnickingRecreational VehiclesSwimmingSwimming SiteVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing
Nearest campgrounds
| Campground | Miles | State | Fee/night | Sites | Hookups | Max RV | Pets | Booking | Trails ≤5 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currahee RV and Campground Private campground |
8.7 | GA | — | — | — | — | — | ? | 14 (21.5 mi) |
| Don Carter State Park Campground Cabins Don Carter State Park |
16.1 | GA | $23–$50 (GA schedule) | 60 | — | yes | — | Reserve | 0 |
| Yonah Mountain Campground Private campground |
17.3 | GA | — | — | — | — | — | ? | 2 (3.0 mi) |
| Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground Tallulah Gorge State Park |
18.1 | GA | $23–$50 (GA schedule) | 54 | — | yes | — | Reserve | 9 (12.2 mi) |
| Backcountry Campsite #1 OpenStreetMap listing |
18.2 | GA | — | — | — | — | — | ? | 6 (14.1 mi) |
| Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest |
18.2 | GA | — | 75 | E 50A W | yes | yes | Reserve | 7 (13.9 mi) |
Hookups: E = electric (max amps), W = water, S = sewer. "—" means the agency doesn't publish it. Trail counts are named USFS/NPS trails within 5 miles. 🟢 = kid-friendly (green-rated) bike trail nearby. "Open year-round" and month ranges come from the agency, state park or OpenStreetMap season; no tag means no season is published.