Nancytown Day Use and Trailhead Pass Pass

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Nancytown is a great spot for families, fishermen (and women!), horseback riders, bicycle enthusiasts, and picnickers to enjoy your day trip. It's easily accessible by vehicle to the small parking lot above the Nancytown dam and simple walk down to your new favorite fishing site or continue onto the Lake Russell Loop trail that leads to the Lake Russell Campground. The Lake Russell Boat Launch/Beach Areas are only a half a mile down the road.

Going from the picnic area travel across either bridge and it will take you to one of the two CCC picnic shelters along the lake or go to the 6.2-mile Ladyslipper horseback riding, hiking, and biking trail, as well as the Sourwood hiking and biking trail, which is a 2.7-mile hike to several waterfalls.

This area has multiple opportunities for anglers and is a great place to catch trout, non-motorized boats allowed in Nancytown Lake.

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.

This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once on-site, follow the posted instructions. You will need to download the/free Recreation.gov mobile app prior to your arrival/as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service: https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app/

Click here for GA DNR fishing regulations and information!

Directions: 

From Cornelia: Head North on Hwy 441/23 So to Old Hwy 197 So. Mt. Airy exit. Turn right onto Old Hwy 197 So and go for approximately 3.2 miles to the stop sign at Dicks Hill Parkway. Make a right turn and travel for approximately .05 miles cross over the bridge and turn left on Lake Russell Road. Follow the road for approximately 4 miles and it will be the first left on the road. You will cross the bridge and see the fee tube on your right.

From Clayton: Head south on Hwy 441/23 So to Old Hwy 197 So. Mt. Airy exit. Turn right onto Old Hwy 197 So and go for approximately 3.2 miles to the stop sign at Dicks Hill Parkway. Make a right turn and travel for approximately .05 miles cross over the bridge and turn left on Lake Russell Road. Follow the road for approximately 4 miles and it will be the first left on the road. You will cross the bridge and see the fee tube on your right.

The address for Nancytown Day Use is: 3034 Lake Russell Road, Mt. Airy, GA

All visitors are to display a printed copy of the pass on the dashboard of the vehicle or have a digital copy on your mobile device. When using a printed Day Pass, please display it with the QR code and pass information visible on your vehicle dashboard. If purchasing pass onsite, please write down confirmation number on provided envelope and post in vehicle dashboard.

This pass is valid until 11:59 PM of the date listed on the pass, and only for the date and vehicle specified for this pass.

Please check the forest website for the most recent closures and openings. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/conf/recreation

America the Beautiful Passes: Senior, Access, Annual, Military, Gold Star, Veteran, and Golden Age Senior/Access are accepted at this site and are good for the pass holder and up to three adults per vehicle.

Passes are non-transferrable between operators, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced. Cell phone connectivity on the forest may be limited, plan ahead.

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.