The opening of Don Carter State Park took decades of planning and dedication. Now the park is one year old.
It only took one year, however, to become a favorite destination for campers, swimmers, families, fishermen and boaters. If you haven’t been there yet, you’ll love it too.
The park’s dedication ceremony took place on September 16, 2013. Don and Lucille Carter were the honored guests, in addition to Governor Nathan Deal and other very important people. For many who had poured years of effort into this project, it probably seemed as if it were part birth and part graduation ceremonies.
Click Here for Don Carter State Park Dedication Day Photographs
The list of amenities includes new additions, such as kayak rentals. You can rent spacious, furnished, clean two-bedroom cottages for reunions. Other options? Pitch a tent, park your RV or sleep outside at one of the primitive walk-in sites.
Kids can frolic in the grass, swim at the beach, play games at the playgrounds, fish at the park’s pier or go for a walk on a safe trail.
Slip your boat in the water and explore the least packed part of Lake Lanier’s 38,000 acres on the Chattahoochee River.
Take a look at how far Don Carter State Park has come in just one year.
Park Manager Will Wagner and his crew have done a marvelous job of transforming the original ugly duckling into a glorious swan. The first “soft opening” of the park took place on Monday, July 15, 2013.
Kim Hatcher – Public Affairs Coordinator for Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites — and Park Manager Will Wagner were on hand for opening day at Don Carter State Park. One family was waiting at the gates at 7 AM, but it wasn’t exactly an overwhelming crowd that first day.
Since then, many thousands of folks from all over the southeast have discovered and fallen in love with the only Georgia State Park on Lake Lanier.
Parking is only $5, but you can get an annual pass to save money on frequent trips.
Y’all stop by now, y’hear?
Accommodations
- 1,316 Acres
- 8 Cottages ($125-$250)
- Cottage #1 is dog friendly ($45 fee per dog, two dog max)
- Cottage #3 is ADA
- 44 RV Campsites ($30)
- 12 Primitive “Walk-in” Tent Sites ($20)
- 4 Picnic Shelters ($45)
- 10.4 Miles of Shoreline
- Hiking and Biking on 1.5-mile paved multi-use trail and 1-mile hiking trail
Hours
Park: 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Office: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Address
Don Carter State Park
5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
Website
