Richard B. Russell State Park: Hours, Fees and Directions

Water And Ice Safety: read this before you go

Short answer

Richard B. Russell State Park is a 2,508-acre state park in Elbert County, near Elberton. Park hours are 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Parking is $10 per vehicle per day or $70 for an annual ParkPass. Checked October 20, 2026 on its official page.

Hours

7 a.m.–10 p.m.

Cost

$10 per vehicle

Where

Elberton, North Georgia

Dogs

Leashed, 6 ft max

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On 26,650-acre Lake Richard B. Russell, with cottages and campsites near the water, rowing, disc golf and a golf course; most facilities are designed for wheelchair access.

Plan it in three lines

Getting In
Parking is $10 per vehicle for the day, or $70 for the annual ParkPass that works at every Georgia state park.
Park 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
What to Do
The official page lists Biking, 6 miles of trails, Boating, private boats permitted and Disc Golf (fee).
Leashed dogs welcome outdoors
Make It a Day
Hartwell Lakeside Park is about 17 miles away. Coming up near here: UGA Spotlight on the Arts Festival in Athens.
6 events within 50 mi

Richard B. Russell State Park Hours

Hours at a glance

Hours in a day

Park7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Office8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Pro Shop8 a.m.–5 p.m.

A quick view of the usual hours. Seasonal changes and holiday closures are in the list below, so read that before you drive.

Park7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Office8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Pro Shop8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Arrowhead Pointe Café 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

What It Costs

Parking, by the visit

Day parking vs. the annual ParkPass, by number of visits

$70 annual ParkPass

Day parking is $10 per vehicle. Seven visits cost the same as the $70 annual ParkPass; from the eighth visit the pass is cheaper. Bars show what that many day visits cost in total.

Parking: $10 per vehicle per day, or a $70 annual ParkPass that works at every Georgia state park. Overnight guests pay the daily fee once per stay; parking is not included with a reservation (Georgia State Parks ParkPass page).

Where It Is and How to Get in Touch

Address2650 Russell State Park Drive, Elberton, GA 30635
CountyElbert (North Georgia region)
GPS34.16722, -82.75040 (directions in Google Maps)
Park706-213-2045
Golf Course706-283-6000
Reservations800-864-7275
Official pagegastateparks.org/RichardBRussell

Dogs and Strollers

Dogs: Georgia State Parks welcomes pets on a leash no longer than six feet, with the owner at all times. Pets are not allowed in park and historic site buildings, lodges, yurts, group camps, swimming areas or beaches (park rules).
Strollers: the park does not publish stroller rules. Paths range from paved walks to rough trails, so call ahead (706-213-2045) if you need a stroller-friendly route.

What’s at Richard B. Russell State Park

Facilities the park lists: 26,650 Acre Russell Lake; 20 Cottages; 27 Tent, Trailer & RV Campsites; 3 Picnic Shelters; 1 Group Shelter (seats 150); 1 Event Room (seats 80) — call park to reserve; Sand Beach — seasonal; Boat Ramps; Wi-Fi — available in the park office, cottages, campground, & golf course clubhouse (Not suitable for streaming).

Things to do: Biking — 6 miles of trails; Boating — private boats permitted; Disc Golf (fee); Fishing; Geocaching; Hiking — 6 miles of trails; Muddy Spokes Club; Paddling; Rowing; Swimming; Kayak and Canoe Rental.

Accessibility: this site lends an All-Terrain Georgia Action Trackchair (free, reserve ahead). How to book: free all-terrain wheelchairs at Georgia state parks.

Events Coming Up Near Richard B. Russell

Around Richard B. Russell within 50 miles

State parks and historic sites

1Hartwell Lakeside Parkpartner site17 mi
2Watson Mill Bridge State Parkstate park21 mi
3Victoria Bryant State Parkstate park25 mi
4Elijah Clark State Parkstate park29 mi

Events coming up

5UGA Spotlight on the Arts FestivalAthens38 mi
6Mystic PizzaAthens38 mi
7Keb' Mo'Athens38 mi
8Winter WonderLights Season PremiereAthens38 mi
9Georgia vs. MissouriAthens39 mi
10Winter WonderLightsAthens38 mi

Straight-line distances from the site’s GPS point. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable. The same places are listed below.

On now through Nov 22UGA Spotlight on the Arts Festival, Athens (about 38 miles away)
Nov 10 – Nov 11Mystic Pizza, Athens (about 38 miles away)
Nov 12Keb’ Mo’, Athens (about 38 miles away)
Nov 12Winter WonderLights Season Premiere, Athens (about 38 miles away, from $75)
Nov 14Georgia vs. Missouri, Athens (about 39 miles away)
Nov 19 – Dec 6Winter WonderLights, Athens (about 38 miles away)

Events within 50 miles in the next 90 days from our Georgia event calendar, as of October 20, 2026; distances are straight-line from the site’s GPS point. The park’s own ranger programs and events are on the Georgia State Parks events calendar.

Nearby State Parks and Historic Sites

Hartwell Lakeside Park (partner site, Hart County), about 17 miles away
Watson Mill Bridge State Park (state park, Madison County), about 21 miles away
Victoria Bryant State Park (state park, Franklin County), about 25 miles away
Elijah Clark State Park (state park, Lincoln County), about 29 miles away

More on It’s Georgia

All Georgia state parks and historic sites, by region
Georgia state parks compared: hours, parking, dogs and free accessibility equipment in one table
North Georgia: more places to go in the region

Source: the Richard B. Russell State Park page on gastateparks.org (Georgia Department of Natural Resources), checked October 20, 2026. Hours and fees change, so check the official page before a long drive. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will re-check it.

Safety Notice

Water And Ice Safety: Read This Before You Go

Lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, beaches and ice can kill, quickly and without warning. Conditions change by the hour and we cannot see them from here. This page is general information only. It is not a safety assessment, and it does not say or promise that any place, water, ice or activity is safe.

We do not inspect, test, measure or monitor water, ice, currents, depth, water quality, algae, wildlife, access, closures or lifeguard staffing at any place we list.
Posted signs, closures, advisories, flags and the directions of rangers, lifeguards and the land owner or managing agency always override anything here. A place being listed does not mean it is open, legal to enter, or permitted for swimming, wading, boating or fishing, and does not give you permission to be on private land or private water.
Children and weak swimmers: the CDC says to assign a responsible adult to watch children closely and constantly in or near water, with no phone, reading, alcohol or drugs, and to use life jackets for children in and around natural water. It also says inflatable or foam toys are not safety devices.
Open water hides hazards. The CDC names currents, waves, rocks, vegetation and poor visibility. As general guidance (not from a named source), also expect sudden drop-offs, very cold water even on a warm day, submerged objects, boat traffic and changing weather. Never swim alone, and never mix alcohol with water or boats.

Emergency in the United States: call 911. Learn CPR, as the CDC recommends.

Not ConfirmedWe have not verified current water or ice conditions, water quality, access, swimming or boating permission, lifeguard hours, fees, rules or closures for any place on this page. The land owner or managing agency (a park, city, county, state or federal office, or the property owner) is the one who can confirm them. Ask them before you go.

Sources read on 8 November 2026: the Minnesota DNR ice thickness guidelines (dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/thickness.html, no page date shown) and the CDC drowning prevention page (cdc.gov/drowning/prevention, page dated 29 September 2025). Guidance can change and can differ by state and by place: check the current text and your local agency before relying on it. This notice is general guidance only. It is not legal, medical, rescue or professional safety advice, and nobody on this site is a lifeguard or safety professional. You are responsible for your own safety and for any children and pets with you, and you use this information at your own risk. Water, ice, weather and local rules change quickly and differ by state, county and property. To the fullest extent the law allows, this site, its owner and its contributors are not responsible for any injury, death, loss or damage that results from using this information or from visiting any place, water or ice mentioned here. If you do not accept that, do not rely on this page (see the Limits Of Liability in our Terms Of Use).

Cite this page: It's Georgia, “Richard B. Russell State Park”, itsgeorgia.com/places/richard-b-russell-state-park/ (updated 2026-11-09). Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page.

Getting In

What to Do

Make It a Day