Don Carter State Park is Georgia’s newest park — and the first on beautiful Lake Lanier. After many rain delays, the facility will open to the public on Monday, July 15, 2013. Park hours are 7 AM until 10 PM daily.
A Grand-Opening Ceremony will be held later in 2013.
Workers are putting finishing touches on the magnificent recreational area that covers more than 1,300 acres of all that makes North Georgia gorgeous.
Trails wind through the park so that visitors can safely walk, bike or hike through the natural beauty of Don Carter State Park.
There’s a 1.5-mile paved trail where hikers, bikers and strollers are welcome to listen to the birds and feel the breezes from Lake Lanier. There’s an extended two-mile trail for those who want to take a longer walk.
The park is accessible from Clarks Bridge Road — Georgia Route 284 — fewer than six miles north of the Olympic Rowing Venue at Clarks Bridge Park. Turn onto North Browning Bridge Road and turn left at the fork in the road. (Don’t worry. You won’t miss it.)
Don Carter State Park is named after a gentleman from Gainesville who served on the board of Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources for 29 years. He led the charge to establish Lake Lanier’s first state park.
This new playground will offer plenty of ways to enjoy a few hours of solitude and ways to party with family and friends.
Come and rough it in your teensy-weensy tent or drive your Queen Mary-sized RV for an overnight or weekend stay. Camp, fish, picnic, hike, use the boat ramps to explore Lanier and fish. Or, let it all hang out at the white-sand beach — with its sloped lawn and brand-new bath house.
For less than it costs for a Super Slurp and a Gonzo Burger with greasy, limp fries, you can spend the whole day at the park. The charge for parking and driving around the scenic byways is a mere five bucks. Most day-use activities, including swimming, are free.
RV and tent camping will be available on a first-come, first-served basis when the park first opens, but advance reservations are not yet available.
The beach, trails and boat ramps will be available on July 15th, but the cabins aren’t quite ready.
My favorite RV spot was site #7. Close enough to be neighborly, but not close enough to hear your neighbors snore.
The pavilion near the cabins is delightful. The covered shelters rent for $45 and are perfect for family reunions, birthday parties and casual receptions.
Families will love the kids playground.
Pretty soon, we’ll all wonder how we ever lived without Don Carter State Park all these years.
Those who believe camping is best done in a fine hotel with a view will be surprised at the clean restrooms. Some even offer hot showers.
Leashed dogs are welcome on trails and in the campground, but not in the visitor center and most cabins.
There are 46 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs, ranging from $25-29/night. Rugged campers are welcome to use the walk-in tent sites for a mere $15/day.
If you cannot teach you-know-who to love the great outdoors, never fear. They’ll love the great indoors at Don Carter State Park.
There are eight rental cabins — that will open later this summer — that rent for the absurdly low price of $110 – $160 per night.
They have two bedrooms and hillside views of Lake Lanier. Rocking chair porches and fully equipped kitchens are part of the deal.
Cabin #7 has a picnic table and two separate grills in the back yard overlooking the lake.
You are bound to meet new neighbors and new friends at Don Carter State Park.
Simply drive through the gates, pay your five bucks and head to the visitor center to begin your vacation at Don Carter State Park on Lake Lanier.
Helpful Links
Click Here for Older Pictures of Don Carter State Park
Click Here for Don Carter State Park Info
Directions
Don Carter State Park 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd.Gainesville, GA 30506
- Located northeast of Gainesville, Georgia, on the north side of Lake Lanier.
- From Clarks Bridge Road, go south on N. Browning Bridge Road.
- At the “Y,” take the left fork and continue for one-half mile to the park entrance.
- Coordinates: N 1596520, E 2423230
Contact Info
- GeorgiaStateParks.org/DonCarter
- 678-450-7726
