Don Carter State Park

Love this beautiful state park - the only one on the shores of Lake Lanier! You can come for the day and enjoy the hiking trails, beach, playgrounds, fishing, kayaking, horse trails and fun activities. Their naturalist is so great, very knowledgeable and fun, and she puts on awesome programs for adults and kids. If you search Google for Don Carter Events you can see all the cool things that are coming up - nature talks, guided hikes, holiday crafting events, movie nights and even big programs like trunk or treat by the lake in October every year and s’mores with Santa! They do a junior ranger day camp for kids in the summer too. There are nice picnic shelters with tables and grills you can rent for birthday parties or other events and even a gorgeous new event space that opened a few months ago with a patio, fire pit and view of the lake for fancier get-togethers – it even has a small kitchen area and bridal suite making it perfect for weddings! Of you want a longer escape, their cabins are some of the newest in the state. There are also RV sites with dedicated RV hosts to keep things safe and calm and of course, you can tent camp under the stars in both primitive sites and car camping sites too. The park is beautiful and well-maintained and fun to visit in any season. I love to watch the changing of the seasons with the trees and the lake – so lovely! It’s very quiet and peaceful in the winter months and early spring, but once warm weather comes, everyone wants to enjoy the park especially on weekends from spring break through November so be sure to get a reservation in advance! There’s an abundance of wildlife including many deer, turtles, lizards, all sorts of birds, possums and more. Gainesville is too far south for bears, so you don’t have to worry about any of those big visitors checking out your campsite! We are so lucky to have this beautiful resource in Gainesville.

Don Carter State Park is close to Gainesville Ga, but the short drive from I-985 brings you to a beautiful park on the quiet, North end of Lake Lanier. In early December the Visitor Center was decked out for the holidays. The Rangers and staff were friendly and helpful. Check-in was a breeze, and the office felt a little like the front desk of a National Park lodge. The cottages are very roomy and comfortable, nicely furnished and very clean. There is a playground at the cottages, also one near the campground and one near the beach. This place is beautifully maintained. Views of the lake from the back porch of Cottage #6 were great (it was December,) and there are plenty of stars on a clear night. One day past the full moon, it's reflection off the water after moonrise was like a spotlight. Head Ranger Jaime and her staff are 5 Star, and this may now be my favorite State Park, but Georgia has outstanding Parks.

Beautiful space. Would have rated it higher but every day of our stay the host repeatedly used a leaf blower until afternoon, including before we were checked out. They had to return our children’s toys to us after they realized we were still down by the lake and only one person went on an errand with our vehicle (10:30, when check out isn’t until noon). Our lake view included some giant metal trash. My kids had fun throwing acorns at it though. Beautiful facilities. Visitor center staff was nice and helpful.

We had such a great experience at Don Carter State Park! It was the perfect staycation: peaceful, fun, and really well maintained. The beach area was beautiful and relaxing, and the trails were easy to navigate and made for a really enjoyable walk. The swing coaster playground was a big hit too. It’s a great spot for kids to have fun. One thing that really stood out was how clean everything was, from the restrooms to the picnic areas. You can tell the staff takes pride in keeping the park nice for visitors. We brought our dog along and appreciated that the park is pet-friendly. While dogs aren’t allowed on the beach, they are welcome on the trails and in other areas as long as they’re leashed. Overall, it was a very positive experience and we’re already looking forward to coming back again! Highly recommend if you’re looking for a simple but refreshing getaway close to home.

A quiet and leisurely state park. There are electrical facilities, barbecue grills, and shower rooms where you can take a shower, although only cold water comes out of the beach.

A nice park with deer casually strolling by, clean restrooms/showers, great staff, and secure. They have a nice beach with a refreshments shack, two nice boat launches (we used them for kayak launching), nice dump sites (with a hose that doesn't have a crushed end), dumpster corral, the main lodge/check-in, firewood, and ice (which was not available at the time due to a temperamental ice cooler). As for the lack of ice, call before you get there to check on their ice supply as the nearest gas station is not near. Our site (#30) was very small (narrow) but nice. If you're bringing a big show, you may want to call to make sure that you'll get the space you need. All in all, it's a nice park that is a bit off the beaten path.

Very nicely maintained state park. Nice and quiet. Great hiking trails through out the park. Staff is more the helpful and polite from the time we checked in. Thanks for the southern hospitality

Nice little park with a peaceful atmosphere. There are a decent amount of picnic tables and a nice pavilion that would be great for gatherings or family outings. The playground is a good spot for kids, and the boat ramp makes it convenient for anyone wanting to get out on the water. The park felt clean and well maintained, and it’s a nice place to relax, have a picnic, or spend some quiet time outdoors.

Looking for the perfect spot to park your RV and immerse yourself in the great outdoors in Georgia? Look no further than Don Carter State Park nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this Georgia gem offers everything a camping enthusiast could ask for - from breathtaking views to endless opportunities for recreation. Let me walk you through some of the perks of RV camping at Don Carter State Park. First off, let's talk about the location. Don Carter State Park is situated on the northern end of Lake Lanier, boasting approximately 13,316 acres of park and over 38,000 acres water and 60 miles of shoreline. That means you'll have plenty of room to stretch your legs and enjoy all types of water activities - fishing, boating, swimming, you name it! And with the Blue Ridge Mountains as your backdrop, every view from your RV window will be postcard-perfect. But it's not just the scenery that makes RV camping at Don Carter State Park special. The campground itself offers 44 RV sites, all with water and electric hookups and one with sewer connections 9that the one I booked site 23) all have a grey water drip, as well as picnic tables and fire rings. And for those who prefer a more rustic experience, there are also 12 tent sites available. Plus, the campground is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure! Now, let's talk about the activities. Don Carter State Park has something for everyone, whether you're an adrenaline junkie or a laid-back nature lover. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails wind through the park, offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. And for those who want to get out on the water, there are boat launches and rental options available. Oh, and did I mention there's a beach? That's right - you can soak up the sun and dip your toes in the water without ever having to leave the park. But what truly sets Don Carter State Park apart from other camping destinations is its rich history and local culture. The park is named after Don Carter, a local land developer who was instrumental in the creation of the Lake Lanier project. With its prime location, numerous recreational activities, and rich history, this hidden gem of Georgia is the perfect spot for an unforgettable RV camping experience. So grab your sense of adventure and get ready to make some memories! This park offers several choices for overnight getaways as well. Two-bedroom cabins are perched on wooded hillsides near the lake. One campground is designed specifically for RVs, while another primitive camping area is just for tents and hammocks. The campground and cottage loop is gated, providing access to overnight guests. The park is named in honor of real-estate executive Don Carter who served on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources board for 29 years and worked to establish Lake Lanier's first state park. Other ammenties include: Boat Ramps Docks Fish Cleaning Station Sand Beach Playground Outdoor Fitness Equipment Gift Shop Lots of Wildlife to see and enjoy We really enjoyed the week we spent here...

Very nice RV camping. I didn't see the tent camping area so I can't comment on that. Very clean and well maintained. No bugs in August, who would think that. The check in office is a little store with souvenirs too. Deer roam around. There are miles of trails there, even have horse trails. The trails are easy terrain was lots of different flora. I have never seen such a big variety of mushrooms before. The beach is spotless and white. You can rent kayaks. The inlet the beach and kayaks are on, no boats are allowed. We have already made reservations again.

Great for an overnight stay. Booked online using the GA park reservation system. Spacious sites. They had a gate to go into the park after hours and another to go into the overnight stays. Nice bathrooms.

What a lovely gem outside of Gainesville! We needed some time with Mother Nature in between visiting family over the holidays. It was an easy hike and the guide at the checkin station was incredibly helpful with maps and tips (as well as how current weather affected flora and fauna). We ended up having a great hike and using surprisingly clean bathrooms before heading back to family for dinner/late lunch. So nice to have this in Georgia! Maybe we'll explore other trails when it's warmer next time.

Great facilities and well- maintained- swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, snack shack at beach. Shade and sun plus playgrounds. What more could you want?

We were able to book this site online using the Ga State Park website. The site is hosted by Reserve America which hosts many other private and State Park locations around the country. When you make a reservation, you will be charged the full fee for your stay at the time you book. Refund policies vary based on different states and campground policies, so be sure to check that before booking. As with most RV parks, Don Carter SP stays full so booking in advance is your best option. On our last trip, we had to split our reservation and book one site for Friday and Saturday nights and then a second reservation for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights at a better scenic site we wanted. There is no fee for each reservation. Check-in begins on the day of your reservation at 1:00 PM. Check-out on your day of departure is by 12:00 PM. On each of our visits, we have found the entire staff in the office, at the front gate, and the campground hosts to be fantastic and helpful. All Georgia State Parks charge for vehicle entry in addition to your campsite fees. Parking is based on per vehicle. This is from the GA SP website as of 8/17/2023 regarding fees for vehicle entry. "Parking in Georgia's State Parks is just $5 and visitors can buy a $50 annual ParkPass that helps fund renovations, trail work, dock replacements and more. A family of five can enjoy a full day of hiking, biking, fishing, boating, birding, picnicking, swimming and more for only one dollar per person. ParkPasses are not valid at state historic sites. Overnight guests pay the daily ParkPass fee only once during their stay, regardless of duration. $50 Annual ParkPass Purchase online or at park offices. Allow 7 - 10 business days for shipping*. Valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Annual ParkPass discounts of 50% are available for seniors 62 and older and 25% for active military and veterans**. Discounted passes must be purchased in person." As a side note, during our check-in process, the clerk introduced us to the "Supporter Membership" and all the benefits. It is an annual cost of $125.00, and among some of the benefits it includes (2) annual ParkPasses, (3) Free nights of camping, (2) free picnic shelter rentals, and 10% off all campsite reservations for the year. Google Maps provided a direct good route off GA 400 using several State and County roads. There are some curves and hills, but nothing extreme, or that was not easy to navigate pulling a 34-foot travel trailer. Check-in was easy with six other campers in front of us. The check-in clerk had our prepaid reservation, and we only had to pay our gate access fees upon arrival. The clerk provided us with a map and directions to access our site. There are some turns but if you have experience pulling a large camper or trailer they are definitely no problem to pass through. Most of the sites in the park are pull-through sites. Each site has a cable TV connection, 20/30/50 AMP service that is solid and clean, a Greywater connection, a fire ring, and city water. There is a dump station in the campground but not at each site for blackwater. The road to the campground has a 24-hour security gate, and you receive a gate code for access upon check-in. The park has an entrance gate locked at 10 PM each night and requires a separate code to open. Once inside the park, you will see abundant deer and other wildlife from your car and campsite. The sites are all paved and mostly level. Sites also have a gravel picnic patio area, picnic table, and fire ring. The sites have neighbors nearby, but the park is very quiet, and there is enough room that you don't have any disturbance from neighbors. We stayed on site 26 for two nights and site 10 with a lakefront view, and everything was great. Bathhouses are an easy walk and immaculately clean. They also have showers, but we used our camper facilities and only checked out the park facilities for reference. AT&T service worked with 3-4 bars of 5G and was sufficient at the park to stream using our ROKU TV. Pulling a 34-foot travel trailer was no issue with access or set-up, and this is an easy park for a get-away or for a vacation. We recommend it to other RVers and campers. The park also has a primitive camping area which we did not explore.

We reserved a spot online but was moved to another spot because someone was broke down in ours. It was nice, private wonderfully quiet. We were located very close to the bathrooms/ shower/laundry room. The facilities were spotless everything smelled so fresh. There are books and magazines in the laundry room. So if you want to bring books to donate this is great. There was barely any traffic like you'd think there would be. The laundry is $1.25 a load to wash same price to dry. The only issue we had was finding the dump station find it beforehand so you won't have issues when you're trying to leave.

Beautiful park on Lake Lanier .. 50 amp service a plus. Friendly staff Nice camp store

This place was wonderful!! I went to check out the campgrounds and was greeted by a family of deer before I even entered the park. Being the weekend after Labor Day, it wasn't busy so I had most of the park to myself. I enjoyed a swim at the beach solo and the full beach amenities which included the awesome outdoor showers. There are a few hiking areas but it is more about the lake here!!

Another beautiful state park, came in late and host folks were great, friendly and helped us navigate to our spot!!Ranger Mathew was super also!!@

We love the beach and boat ramp. The guys use the boat ramp to fish while my daughter grandchildren and I use the beach and playground. It's such a beautiful park to walk and hang in. We drive over an hour to go and have family gatherings at.

Nice beach. Not crowded on weekdays. Public showers to rinse off after swimming. Bring a cooler with water sodas and snacks. A couple charcoal grills available if you get them before others do.

I didn't spend much time here, so take that into consideration when weighing my review, which really is only for the short hiking trail starting at the visitor center (the Terrapin Cove trail). Don Carter State Park is not a hiking destination by any stretch of the imagination. It caters much more to RVs, camping, kayaking the lake, enjoying the beach or staying in a cottage. But there is a short trail running from the visitor center to the lake. The first section is paved and is referred to as the Overlook trail. It ends with a couple of nice swings where you can sit and enjoy the trees. You can't really see the lake from the swings. Onward is by dirt trail and it is an easy one. Shortly after leaving the Overlook, you'll come to a split going either to the beach or the campground/cottages. This is the Terrapin Cove trail. The beach trail to the left is short. To right are the campground/cottages and is a bit longer, ending up at a small boat dock. The trail is nice if you're staying at the park in an RV or cottage, but it really isn't worth the trouble on its own. You can get a good view of the beach across the water, though. Consider visiting Don Carter State Park for the other amenities, not for hiking.

My husband and I just go an RV and this was our second spot to go camping after Vogel, which can be a tough follow. This place didn't disappoint. We went during the winter so staying on the water wasn't a must for us, but I do think in the summer the downfall may be limited sites with access to water. However, I think the other accommodations surpass that. The facilities are still very nice and new, meaning the bathroom ladies! Couldn't complain about that. But my favorite part of this experience was the accessible trails. Great trails to get you outside and moving! I wouldn't say the one we did was stroller friendly so thankfully we had help carrying kiddos but check the maps beforehand. I would recommend this lake campground more than others I've stayed at in the past on the lake (when we rented through Rv share) because it's so much newer - more isolated in a non busy part of the lake and the trails alone!

Private Spaces, Fun, Family! It's a beautiful l park located in N Hall Co with playground and picnic areas. It's situated in Lake Sidney Lanier!

It was a very nice park to go to! Be prepared for little geese to come up to you and beg for food!

Absolutely beautiful park. Drive slowly lots of deer, nice beach area. Oh, and when you're tired of that pesky toddler just head to the beach...and swim on the OPPOSITE side of thebarrier. THEN when they fall into the water and cough over and over just continue bobbing around outside the barrier.. No worries, When the park. "Ranger" is called nothing will be done.

Awesome Clean Fun State park! Cabins are Sweet Beach is nice. Kayaks were fun! Semper Fi to John the camp host that let me borrow an axe.

This is such a lovely park. I have never camped here because I am lucky enough to live only about five miles away. We have used their beach area weekly and it is pristine. I am not one who likes to swim in a lake where my feet touches but this beach is so clean and clear. It feels like the ocean minus the shells. They also have a few really nice playgrounds for the kids and a lot of picnic areas to cook out. If you like to fish they have a few docks and beautiful bank areas to fish. This is a perfect place to make a lot of awesome memories with friends and families.

Exceeded my expectations! Went this past weekend with some friends. The cabin was nothing short of outstanding. Beautifully appointed with gracious bedrooms and a large living/dining area. Hardwoods in common areas and carpet in the bedrooms. The back deck was super, and the view was serene. Outdoor fire out and cooking area close to the back porch. The kitchen had everything we could have needed. The property was immaculately kept. The one two cons are parking and water pressure. There are two spots in front of the cabins, over flow is down the hill. (People parked were ever, regardless of the unit number) the water pressure in the shower was a joke. But seriously I can not fault them a star. 5,5,5,5 'cause it was so nicely out together. I'll be back several times!!

This is a really nice park. The staff is friendly from the beginning to end of our stay. It is a good drive off the exit. If you are someone that like to go pick up food consider another 20 minutes out every time. We stayed in cabin 1 pet friendly. But the view of the lake was covered by trees. It looks like cabins 5 and over have better views of the lake. The beach was clean and the kids enjoyed it. The cabins are wide and spacious . (2 bedrooms 2baths) If you are someone who get cold easily bring sweater or blanket. The cabins get really cold. We kept the air on 78-80 we where still freezing. I would come again. I'm glad Don Carter donated this property. It had so much and I can see it being added on more. We visit lanier world water park. That was a great option for something to do. The fishing was fun . There looks to be two boat ramps here. It does it buggy so bring some off! Hope this help!!

Beach needs work. But nice park to hang out if you're looking for a place to camp, walk, have picnics but not really good for fishing or swimming unless you have a boat.

Great playground kids will not want to leave to eat even if the hamburgers are ready to come up. New, clean park is a great place to put your boat into the lake. The air is clean as is the park. Close enough to town to get to late afternoon to enjoy, and far enough out in the country to where they have to pump the daylight in.

Such a lovely state park. There are several really cool playgrounds for kids to play on. The cabins are nice and spacious. The only downside was there is no Wi-Fi in the cabins and no water pressure.

Great hiking trails, playground, beach area. Loving coming here!! It feels like you are getting away and far from civilization but it's just a short drive.

Beautiful park, camped there for four nights. The sites were large and very clean. The deer are very friendly, we had a family of deer over for a marshmallow roast, Ha, highly recommend this state park for camping or just hanging out! We will be back this fall.

I live directly across from this Park and sometimes hear shooting, prohibited. Sometimes the deer, both young and adolescent, will come across the river and walk along this shoreline and I love that! Usually four at a time. One time I was at the breakfast room table writing letters and looked up, and there stood an adult deer looking at me through the window. So pretty, so gentle and I hate the hunters who kill them, illegally, on the sneak, in the Park at night. I've reported the shootings several times to the Corp, but calling the local Police is maybe more effective.

Very clean park with an awesome group on people. Sandy at the desk is super friendly and Tony the volunteer is very helpful. We have a great spot in the campground with a lake view and access to the dock. We will definitely be back again.

Recently stayed here while visiting Georgia to see the 2017 Eclipse in totality. Most of the campsites near the area were booked up, lucky for us this place was such a great place to camp. It's a beautiful state park with some good amenities. The best part was the white sands beach they have on the lake. Did a really great job on it and there are clean restrooms, showers, grilling areas, plenty of parking and a nearby playground. This place has it all. The lake is pretty large and great for fishing canoeing or skiing. Campgrounds have fire pits, picnic tables, and stations to clean fish. Make sure to hang up any food so raccoons don't get into it. You can rent kayaks from the visitor center too.

I have been here twice spending weekends in the cottages with the kids. Awesome getaway! 1.5 hrs from Atlanta and perfect to relax and recharge. The cottages are reasonably priced, modern, and clean. Its great that the kids have their own bedroom (with cable TV). Very kid friendly and right on the water. The playgrounds are great and there are plenty of wildlife to see: deer, etc. Highly recommend!

LOVE LOVE LOVE - FANTASTIC STAY IN LUXARY COTTAGE with VERY REASONABLE RATES. Gorgeous cottage with beautiful stunning views of the lake water. Love the deck with the rocking chairs it's like we were in a treehouse surrounded by the colors of fall overlooking the lake. Everything was well appointed love the color and decor of the cabins. It's cabining not camping. Had a wonderful full kitchen with dishes pots pans baking pans, cutlery utensils dishwasher microwave coffee maker toaster. 2 bedrooms with 2 baths can accommodate 8people in the cabin They supplied all bed sheets towels everything you need. Only a couple of things - no maid service and no shampoo. Outside each cabin has a fire ring, BBQ grill, picnic table and place to hang your lantern. There was even a small playground with a couple of climbing structures for the kids in the middle of loop/cluster of cottages. We made a fire with wood we bought at the Visitor Center (friendly staff n store there had Light snacks chips candy and stuff to make s'mores but we had brought our own.) All in all just a LOVELY STAY and VERY RELAXING N PEACEFUL The park also has RV hook ups which we saw a lot of people doing. The RV hook up sites looked good too with water and electric outlet plug in but like lot of people mentioned they were close together. You are literally next to your neighbor. I think once the trees grow in they'll be more privacy. I don't think they have primitive campground sites yet but are working to put those in shortly. At the park they have hiking trails, paved trail for walking or biking, a man made white sandy beach for swimming which was very clean and so beautiful with porch swings, boat ramp, fishing pier and even a fish cleaning station. We went fishing but didn't catch anything but it was colder, late in the season & late in the day. Just an all out beautiful clean well thought out state park. We'll definitely be back!!!!RECOMMEND VERY HIGHLY!!!!

I have never been to a park with such amazing people that work there! Sandy at the front desk was so nice and sweet! Johnny was so helpful and super funny! I can't wait to go back during the Spring and try out their beach. Camping for me and my fam was a joy!

Pros: The park is new and clean (nice bathroom/shower facilities), friendly staff, nice store, well maintained campsites. Cons: You'll be up all night listening to trains (and their horns)...maybe this isn't as bad for those in campers/RVs, but it was pretty loud from inside our tents! No grass on RV sites.

Loved walking around the paved walking areas and hiking the unpaved trails. Quiet, serene. The beach with white sand looks nice for warmer weather.

Can not wait to return!!! Everything is really clean, the beach area and restrooms were well maintained. We went fishing in the fishing area and it was so peaceful! We are looking into camping here soon. Julie at the entrance was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend this park over other parks I have been to.

Loved how peaceful and quiet. Rangers are helpful and nice, the park is clean and well maintained. No sewer but has cable.

I love this park!!! I live 10 min away so we are always there, fishing, camping, swimming, kayaking.

Too many rednecks using the primitive camping spots up partying past 2 a.m. with drunken yelling, metal pots banging, etc. Maybe having the lake there really brings the trash in.

This was a great place to spend a weekend , the rv campground is new, the trees still need to grow a little, but the staff and hosts make up for it. Every one was so helpful and friendly. This a very quite campground . We enjoyed the kayak rental. We found the sites to be roomy enough even with triple slide outs. We will definitely return often. We stayed in a motorhome.