Lake Russell Rec Area, Cornelia, GA

Lake Russell Rec Area is located in the Chattooga River Ranger District, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (41 min northeast of Gainesville, GA) with an elevation of 1,051 feet. There are a total of 41 campsites. The campground is open all year. 16 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 67 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $24.00 to $48.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.

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34.49355, -83.49920
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(706) 778-8427 (Information)
(877) 444-6777 (Reservations)
$24 - $48

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (64)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		59%
4 star		20%
3 star		6%
2 star		2%
1 star		8%

@JohnB8383631 · Camped on Nov 14, 2024 at Campsite #33

We have been coming here since the early 70s when the park was the "original" Lake Russell. When the swimming area had kiddie slides, a floating dock out in front of the swimming area you swam too. When you had to take a bath in the lake. You actually had to pump water out of a well on loop C picnic area (now it's a trail to the dam). If you had # 8 site when the "original" Lake Russell was there, it was the best site in the campground. It was on the point, which is just woods now. We had a jon boat that made it a lot easier to get water back to our camp. My brother's, sister's and I where kids at the time. So life happened, we all got older, we had kids, work, etc.. so one day I thought I would return the favor to my dad and start taking him back up to Lake Russell because he was getting up there in age. He always loved it up there. So every October, for the past 15 years, my Brother's, Uncle's, cousin's and now our own son's go back to camp. I think in the early eighties the park change. It became modernerized. Paved roads, new bathrooms with hot water.... Site #33 loop B is the best site now. Seems like the park changes hands a lot on who's running it because some years its really kept up, and some years it's not, but for the last 15 years, overall, it always brings those memories back, and that, is priceless.

@DonaldG3252262 · Camped on Nov 9, 2024 at Campsite #8

Great area. All amenities functioned well. Awesome, helpful staff!

@JamesB7853748 · Camped on Nov 2, 2024 at Campsite #33

hot water heater had be reset bathrooms never clean no toilet paper bring own

@CindyP1724751 · Camped on Aug 30, 2024 at Campsite #10

LovelyWish I could have stayed to see the leaves change

@HollyC7934265 · Camped on Aug 21, 2024 at Campsite #15

This campsite was awesome. Plenty of space and a beautiful view. It was so quiet and peaceful! Our campsite was close to the bathrooms which were very clean. There was a short path to the lake where my partner and I got to fish. This campsite is about 20 minutes away from Panthers Creek Falls, which we visited after checking out of our campsite. We will certainly be back. Beautiful campsite!

@marciam5C0F432 · Camped on Aug 6, 2024 at Campsite #36

Tentsites were flat, lots of ants. I cleaned up debris and trash on my site, before setting tent..Trails not well marked; and no trail maps available.Disappointing

@CrystalR670964 · Camped on Jul 12, 2024 at Campsite #33

I really enjoyed the fact that there wasn't great cellphone coverage there. We go camping to "disconnect" and it's one of the biggest things I look for in choosing a campground.

@LaneahCF1DD9D4 · Camped on Jul 10, 2024 at Campsite #33

I use to love this campground. The camp host is now completely away from the campground loops. We just stayed 2 nights and only saw the camp host once. No one cleaned or even checked the restrooms while we were there. One family was set up for the week in a site that was showing available online and 2 vehicles came in to park overnight without paying or setting up at all. No wonder they dont have the money to make improvements. The camphost didnt even know we were there until late on our 2nd day. They had Restrooms Closed signs posted but a camper told us they had just reopened. When they reopened, no one even bothered removing the signs while we were there. The rate is too expensive for the lack in care for this campground. Sad to see it go downhill so bad.

@RayT34AF5333CB · Camped on Jun 17, 2024 at Campsite #20

I camped on Site #20 in mid-June '24. The site was almost level, side to side, with a very slight doward slope toward the rear. It's a nice, large, shaded site, with picnic table, fire ring and lamp post. The site is on the outside of a left hand curve, so it's almost a straight back-in. I camped during the week, so few campers, and no other campers in Loop B on my last night, so it was very quiet. The bathhouse was fine and just short walk up the road. There are numerous hiking trails and mountain/gravel bike loops nearby off Nancytown Road. No utilies at site, so prepare accordingly. Also, there is a low crosstie retaining ledge, maybe 3"-4", so short I wouldn't call it a "wall" that lies perpendicular to the site, so accessiblity may be limited to campers in wheelchairs, etc.

@TonyaMF217F83C · Camped on Jun 14, 2024 at Campsite #16

Campground has gone done bad I wished the old camphost was still there,she was very sweet. Bathrooms wasn't clean toilet paper and soap was out by Saturday

@LeeC4705243 · Camped on Mar 30, 2024 at Campsite #15

Very quiet. Easter weekend was somewhat crowded, but everyone was very nice. Bathrooms were clean and amenities were great. Did not meet camp host but had everything we needed at the site when we arrived. Will stay here many more times in the future.

@JimmyM6361385 · Camped on Mar 22, 2024 at Campsite #30D

EXCELLENT TIME!! It was daddy/daughters first camping trip! My daughter and I, my son-in-law and granddaughter. The campsites and restrooms were clean and the lake was beautiful! We caught it just before the busy season which made it that much more special because we almost had the place to ourselves. I will only camp at one site because the other sites are too close for my personal preference. All in all the place was EXCELLENT and we are certainly planning on a return trip!

@JaniceR3870008 · Camped on Mar 21, 2024 at Campsite #15

The site was satisfactory although pretty small. There was no amenities, but they did have a flush toilet. The lake nearby is beautiful and can be used for fishing or swimming. The price is a lot compared to other campgrounds that have electricity and water.

@MikeK6232833 · Camped on Mar 19, 2024 at Campsite #14

Beautiful walk around the lake.

@KennethS576281 · Camped on Nov 17, 2023 at Campsite #35

Nice campground.

@BethW1140729 · Camped on Oct 27, 2023 at Campsite #36

Second time at lake Russell, had a fantastic experience

@Elizabeth33411 · Camped on Oct 26, 2023 at Campsite #37

We only stayed one night out of desperation. The actual site was in need of repairs and is at a steep incline. They need to do some updating to the campground and website.

@AnnaS8128034 · Camped on Oct 23, 2023 at Campsite #29

This camp is beautiful and like a home away from home!

@MarkI5795362 · Camped on Oct 6, 2023 at Campsite #12

12 is not the best spot for tent camping, but there are 2 good spots for tents and several trees that would be good for hammock camping. The bathrooms were well maintained until we had another camper come in and mess it up for all of us. The camp host is very nice and pointed out the best hikes for us. I recommend taking the rhododendron lake access trail to the top of Mount Chinocetah for a spectacular view, and of course there are lots of good fishing spots around the lake that are only available to campers. Overall a good time.

@JenniferO78490 · Camped on Sep 30, 2023 at Campsite #35

Beautiful spot! I solo camped here and I felt safe and sound.

@Terryand95D959 · Camped on Sep 30, 2023 at Campsite #6

I go for peace and quiet.

@MichaelA251288 · Camped on Sep 18, 2023 at Campsite #33

There's not many sites with access to the lake but we were able to get one of the view. The lake is beautiful and we took our kayaks and were able to really enjoy the lake. The campsite was spacious and not right on top of each other. The bath house was clean and showers had good hot water. Overall it was a great time!

@PaulC8096585 · Camped on Jul 8, 2023 at Campsite #34

Lake Russell is a quiet, peaceful place to visit and stay with no generators running, or power boats making waves. We enjoyed kyaking and oar boarding on the lake. We saw some wildlife as well. The beach area is actually a grassy area with a roped swimming area which we enjoyed to cool off. We met wonderful people who were staying or visiting, which made the trip even more meaningful. The park and campground have recently been taken back over by the forest service and there are issues that need to be addressed, and I assume work is in progress as money is available. Please pay your use fee so the forest service can make improvements. The only negative was that we felt like the bathrooms could have had more attention during the weekends, when there is the most use. There is no electric or water at each site, which is fine with us. We use our electric car to power our very small camper, which came in handy when temps were high.

@SamH1879656 · Camped on Jun 13, 2023 at Campsite #33

Not just primitive but neglected and no enjoyment in camping. The restroom was clean but needed updating. The atmosphere was one of homeless shelters.

@AmyG5673785 · Camped on May 27, 2023 at Campsite #26

This was a great campground! Absolutely perefct for what we were looking for. The lake was amazing!

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