The best camping in Richard B. Russell State Park, GA

·
100% (3)

Discover the serene beauty of Richard B. Russell State Park.  

The best camping in Richard B. Russell State Park, GA

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
Broad River Retreat

2. Broad River Retreat

99%
(95)
21mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Comer, GA
Located on the beautiful Broad River, summer offers views of kayakers and tubers floating down the river, close enough to see, but far enough away to feel alone. Eagle spottings and colorful landscapes make this retreat a camper's heaven. Learn more about this land: 20 minutes from downtown Athens. A quarter mile down a winding dirt drive will open up to a beautiful scene of river and nature. Quiet solitude and you are at one with this piece of heaven. Keep your eyes open for the bald eagle. If you are agile enough, climb down the terrain to the river for an early morning bath or fish for lunch. This site is a singular rental. You will have it to yourself. You may choose to camp with friends in which there is space for an Rv and a pull behind or two small rvs. It can also be used to tent camp. There is a small shed with a full bunk on bottom and a twin on top. A table with two chairs and electric fireplace. There is in addition, a small A/C unit in the shed. It is a small space with nothing but outlets and a small refrigerator. You will need to bring all of your essentials. Pillows/Sheets/Linens/towels are not provided. The bath house is steps away. You will need towels/rags/soap/toilet paper and all essentials. It is merely a toilet, sink, and shower. There is a Weber charcoal grill available on site. Bring your essentials. You will need to bring your own firewood.. The driveway to the site is marked with the 1793 address sign on Davids Home Church rd. If you are driving N/NW on David's Home Church Rd, it is exactly 2 miles on the right from where you turned onto the road. If you are traveling E/SE on David's Home Church Rd, it is exactly 1.7 miles on the left from where you turned onto David's Home Church Rd. The gate will be closed, please close the gate back when you leave. Please take advantage of the Broad River outpost to rent kayaks/canoes/tubes. Also The Sandbar is located minutes away and they also provide rentals as well as zip lining. Royston has a grocery store and fast food.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$100
 / night
Lakeside RV Resort

10. Lakeside RV Resort

98%
(130)
29mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 2 sites · RVs · Hull, GA
9.3 Acres of Private Serenity! 80 Acre private lake with dock, fire pit, covered pavilion, long quiet walks through the woods. Our famous Ila Cafe is only 5 minutes away! 20 minutes to Athens Restaurant, UGA Campus and Georgia Football! And only 20 minutes to Commerce Outlet Malls and Walmart, 15 minutes to the Boutier Winery, 30 minutes to Watson Mill State Park, located directly on an 80 acre reservoir lake! Enjoy fishing, kayaking, swimming, taking long walks, hiking, or just relaxing! Beautiful Lake View Campsite! Full Hook-ups! No motorboats. 50 Amp & 30 Amp Service. You'll have access to a Fire Pit and Pavillon; a Gas/Charcoal Grill, along with a dock on an 80 Acre Fishing Lake, and 2 double Kayaks with life vests. Swimming, Hiking, Fishing, Kayaking, Roasting Marshmallows, Picnicking or just Relaxing. Pets are welcome, on leashes, portable water, picnic tables, wifi, and trash bins are available on property. Camp fires are permitted (outside of burn bans), and firewood is available for sale on site. Guests love staying with us: "My wife, 2 dogs, and I had an amazing weekend stay at Debbie's campsite. The RV site was level and all the hookups were conveniently located and worked great. Her lakefront property is beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed walking our dogs around the property and also taking some camping chairs down to the dock to take in the sunset. The firepit can hold a massive fire and I would definitely recommend buying some firewood from Debbie as it is perfectly seasoned and burns great. We really appreciated having the gas grill/charcoal combo grill on site to cook dinners on and there is plenty of space to play some yard games (cornhole, frisbee etc). We will absolutely come back!"
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$47
 / night
The sunsets on the property are the best. If you are lucky, you will see one just like this!

12. The Great Escape

100%
(13)
33mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Arnoldsville, GA
Glamping anyone? Located on 4 acres just 10 miles from downtown Athens, the Great Escape has everything for the excitement of camping. The site is surrounded with tons of farmland and forest, making it a private oasis just minutes from excellent restaurants, nightlife, breweries, and all things UGA! Looking for hiking? You are just miles away from state parks! Get away your way....not the hotel way! The Great Escape currently has power and water hook-up but does not have direct sewer access. We do have a spot to dump your black tank when you leave and we do allow gray tank water directly on the ground. We also have 3 RV sites with full hook-ups for long-term renters and a spot for our camper that we rent out on Airbnb. This property offers privacy along with peace and security. For the more adventurous type, we also have a boondocking option for those who do not need the extra amenities. This option offers tent camping in the woods or a space to park a camper or small motorhome for 1-2 nights. Please reach out first regarding this option.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$27
 / night
Creekside Cabin at Lake Hartwell

14. Creekside Cabin at Lake Hartwell

98%
(22)
33mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 2 sites · Lodging · Martin, GA
New to HipCamp? Use this code for $10 off your stay with us: https://www.hipcamp.com/i/elisabethc3462c9 Welcome to Creekside Cabin, only 0.25mi from Lake Hartwell. Nestled in the woods, enjoy 500ft2 indoors and an additional 500ft2 of outdoor living space, strategically designed to provide unexpected spaciousness and comfort. Discover: 2 king beds, a loft bedroom with private balcony, open floor plan, stocked kitchen, & a plethora of entertainment. Ideal for nature-lovers, revel in 3 stories of decking with: a hot tub, fire pit, grill, daybed, outdoor tv, & covered porch, all surrounded by trees. EXPLORE NEARBY - 1 mi (Community Access) → Lake Hartwell - 17 mins → Tugaloo State Park - 25 mins → Lake Hartwell State Park - 34 mins → Chau Ram County Park - 35 mins → Lake Hartwell Wildlife Safari - 36 mins → Victoria Bryant State Park - 40 mins → Tallulah Gorge State Park and Waterfalls - 45 mins → Riley Moore Falls
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$120
 / night
Wildcat Outpost

17. Wildcat Outpost

99%
(92)
40mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Central, SC
FREE FIREWOOD FOR LIMITED TIME: I have more split oak firewood than I know what to do with. While it lasts, campers can take as much as they need for free. The wood is piled at the site. Our homestead is home to our family, chickens, and a livestock guardian dog. We also have a small orchard and a garden. Most of our 12+ acres are wooded and our property backs up to thousands of acres of public forest land owned by Clemson University. A trail connects our backyard to the main network of hiking/mountain biking trails in Clemson Forest. For those familiar with the forest, our property is in the vicinity of Wildcat Technical, Wounded Road, and Chainbreaker trails. As private and wooded as our property is, we are only 10-15 minutes from downtown Clemson and less than 10 minutes from the small towns of Central and Six Mile. Lakes Hartwell and Keowee are also short drives. We currently offer a single campsite, which can accommodate several tents or a camper van. Our campsite features a composting toilet outhouse, and water is available from spigots at our house. Though fairly close to our house, the campsite has a very private feel due to being completely surrounded by a hardwood forest.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$24
 / night
Mountain Fortress Miracle Farms

19. Mountain Fortress Miracle Farms

91%
(28)
44mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Toccoa, GA
This property has been in a local family for over 100 years when we purchased it in 2020. It is a peace filled place! We enjoy caring for our animals as well as sharing this land with others. We feel we are just God’s caretakers! Learn more about this land: For tent and shorter vehicles, site #1 has own drive and clearing under a large tree, site #2 is a hike in site back in the woods near a small creek not visible from the drive. For larger RV, site #3 has flat side yard and parks on paved driveway near main house, site #4 is a short hike back with tent space and fire pit near a small creek right next to the National Forest. Fire pit made ready upon request. Horses, goats, and chickens on property but away from your site. Stars are amazing here. Property backs up to 880,000 acres of National Forest. Your site is next to forest access road. Take it back to hunt, tent, hike, run, off-road bike or ATV if licensed plates on vehicle. Several small creeks on property to splash in or creek hike. Horse lesson available on property. Bottle hunting, farm fresh eggs, cut firewood, and farm tours available as added features. Two toilet bags and a bucket provided per night at camping sites, RV site is a dry site. Guide available to take you on nearby river kayak and waterfall hiking excursions upon request.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$37
 / night
Mountain Creek Campground LLC

20. Mountain Creek Campground LLC

100%
(13)
45mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Gray Court, SC
Currently 1 New Campsite operable with Full hookup. 28 Milles from Downtown Greenville. 13 Miles from Lake Rabon Park. 3.5 miles from Gray Court Dollar General and gas stations. 5 Miles from I385. 15 Miles from Walmart, Target, Publix in Simpsonville SC. 11 Miles from Downtown Fountain Inn. Secluded, quiet, site 150 yards from the road surrounded by trees. Natural wildlife around with good possibilities of deer sightings on occasion. ⚠️ PLEASE NOTE::: When you are on Georgia Road. GPS will tell you to turn on Mickey Thomas Drive. Do not follow that detail. If you are entering from the town of Gray Court, the campsite entrance is the next driveway AFTER Mickey Thomas drive. See last 3 photos for reference of entrance location. Feel free to email me at Rusty.satterfield@gmail.com
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$32
 / night
100% (3)

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Broad River Retreat

99%
(95)
21mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Comer, GA
Located on the beautiful Broad River, summer offers views of kayakers and tubers floating down the river, close enough to see, but far enough away to feel alone. Eagle spottings and colorful landscapes make this retreat a camper's heaven. Learn more about this land: 20 minutes from downtown Athens. A quarter mile down a winding dirt drive will open up to a beautiful scene of river and nature. Quiet solitude and you are at one with this piece of heaven. Keep your eyes open for the bald eagle. If you are agile enough, climb down the terrain to the river for an early morning bath or fish for lunch. This site is a singular rental. You will have it to yourself. You may choose to camp with friends in which there is space for an Rv and a pull behind or two small rvs. It can also be used to tent camp. There is a small shed with a full bunk on bottom and a twin on top. A table with two chairs and electric fireplace. There is in addition, a small A/C unit in the shed. It is a small space with nothing but outlets and a small refrigerator. You will need to bring all of your essentials. Pillows/Sheets/Linens/towels are not provided. The bath house is steps away. You will need towels/rags/soap/toilet paper and all essentials. It is merely a toilet, sink, and shower. There is a Weber charcoal grill available on site. Bring your essentials. You will need to bring your own firewood.. The driveway to the site is marked with the 1793 address sign on Davids Home Church rd. If you are driving N/NW on David's Home Church Rd, it is exactly 2 miles on the right from where you turned onto the road. If you are traveling E/SE on David's Home Church Rd, it is exactly 1.7 miles on the left from where you turned onto David's Home Church Rd. The gate will be closed, please close the gate back when you leave. Please take advantage of the Broad River outpost to rent kayaks/canoes/tubes. Also The Sandbar is located minutes away and they also provide rentals as well as zip lining. Royston has a grocery store and fast food.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$100
 / night

Lakeside RV Resort

98%
(130)
29mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 2 sites · RVs · Hull, GA
9.3 Acres of Private Serenity! 80 Acre private lake with dock, fire pit, covered pavilion, long quiet walks through the woods. Our famous Ila Cafe is only 5 minutes away! 20 minutes to Athens Restaurant, UGA Campus and Georgia Football! And only 20 minutes to Commerce Outlet Malls and Walmart, 15 minutes to the Boutier Winery, 30 minutes to Watson Mill State Park, located directly on an 80 acre reservoir lake! Enjoy fishing, kayaking, swimming, taking long walks, hiking, or just relaxing! Beautiful Lake View Campsite! Full Hook-ups! No motorboats. 50 Amp & 30 Amp Service. You'll have access to a Fire Pit and Pavillon; a Gas/Charcoal Grill, along with a dock on an 80 Acre Fishing Lake, and 2 double Kayaks with life vests. Swimming, Hiking, Fishing, Kayaking, Roasting Marshmallows, Picnicking or just Relaxing. Pets are welcome, on leashes, portable water, picnic tables, wifi, and trash bins are available on property. Camp fires are permitted (outside of burn bans), and firewood is available for sale on site. Guests love staying with us: "My wife, 2 dogs, and I had an amazing weekend stay at Debbie's campsite. The RV site was level and all the hookups were conveniently located and worked great. Her lakefront property is beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed walking our dogs around the property and also taking some camping chairs down to the dock to take in the sunset. The firepit can hold a massive fire and I would definitely recommend buying some firewood from Debbie as it is perfectly seasoned and burns great. We really appreciated having the gas grill/charcoal combo grill on site to cook dinners on and there is plenty of space to play some yard games (cornhole, frisbee etc). We will absolutely come back!"
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$47
 / night

The Great Escape

100%
(13)
33mi from Richard B. Russell State Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Arnoldsville, GA
Glamping anyone? Located on 4 acres just 10 miles from downtown Athens, the Great Escape has everything for the excitement of camping. The site is surrounded with tons of farmland and forest, making it a private oasis just minutes from excellent restaurants, nightlife, breweries, and all things UGA! Looking for hiking? You are just miles away from state parks! Get away your way....not the hotel way! The Great Escape currently has power and water hook-up but does not have direct sewer access. We do have a spot to dump your black tank when you leave and we do allow gray tank water directly on the ground. We also have 3 RV sites with full hook-ups for long-term renters and a spot for our camper that we rent out on Airbnb. This property offers privacy along with peace and security. For the more adventurous type, we also have a boondocking option for those who do not need the extra amenities. This option offers tent camping in the woods or a space to park a camper or small motorhome for 1-2 nights. Please reach out first regarding this option.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$27
 / night

Other options near Richard B. Russell State Park

The best camping in Richard B. Russell State Park, GA guide

Overview

About

If you’re searching for the perfect place to get your fill of camping goodness, you’ll be pleased as punch to find out that Richard B. Russell State Park offers loads of sweet camping activities. The park is centered around a huge 26,650-acre lake, where you can fish and boat to your heart’s delight. If you want more, Richard B. Russell is well-known for it’s frisbee golf course and abundance of campsites. What are you waiting for? This park is only a short drive from Atlanta, making it a great last-minute getaway.

Notable campgrounds

  • Enjoy lakeside serenity at one of the 27 Tent, Trailer & RV Campsites, offering a perfect blend of nature and comfort.
  • Stay at a fully equipped Cottage by the water's edge for a relaxing escape amid the park's natural splendor.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early, especially for peak seasons, to ensure your spot amid the park's natural beauty.
  • Consider weekday camping for better availability and a quieter experience.
  • Check for last-minute cancellations to snag a reservation that others may have released.
  • Explore nearby camping options if the park is fully booked, ensuring you don't miss out on the adventure.

When to go

The best time to visit Richard B. Russell State Park is during spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities, though it's also the busiest season. Winters are quieter but can be chilly for camping.

Know before you go

  • Check the park's official website for any alerts or closures before your visit.
  • Remember that the park's parking fee is $5 per vehicle, with annual passes available for frequent visitors.
  • Most facilities, including the swimming beach, are designed for wheelchair accessibility.
  • wifi is available in select areas, but it may not be suitable for streaming, so plan accordingly.
  • For safety, always follow park rules and guidelines, especially when engaging in water activities or hiking.
100%
3 ratings · 0 reviews