It is located immediately east of Ottawa, the city limits of which are just over 2km west of Russell.

[citation needed] The town produces a large number of hockey prospects for development leagues such as the OHL, OJHL, and NCJHL.

Russell also has a summer swimming pool, a skating arena, a library, an all-weather running track and a curling rink.

The Castor River (translated from French means "Beaver") runs through the town in summer and offers a flat trail for snowmobiles during the winter.

[4] The travel time to the nearest built-up areas of Ottawa is typically 20–25 minutes.