Don Carter is Georgia’s newest state park, as well as the first state park on 38,000 acre Lake Lanier. Situated on the north end of the reservoir, the park offers outstanding recreation for water lovers. Guests can stay cool at a large, sand swimming beach with bath house. Boat ramps provide quick access to the lake, while a multi-use trail welcomes hikers and bikers to explore the hardwood forest. This new 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.

Don Carter State Park Campground

We tent camped here for two nights.  While our tent was a bit too big to fit on the pad, we made do and didn't even set it on fire.  The bathrooms were very clean and since we were allowed to pick our site we found one near the bathroom.  There were several trails and geocaches in the park, which helped us walk off some of the donuts we ate sitting around the campfire.  This park also has a lake and playground for other outdoor activities if hiking and geocaching aren't your thing.  The camp store has ice and firewood and some other things you might need/want.  Perhaps we are just navigationally challenged, but finding the dumpster when we needed it was a feat.  Of course we passed it while we were trying to find the perfect campsite, but had trouble locating it when we actually needed it.  We were also glad that we called before our arrival since we needed a gate code.  Overall, it was a good experience.   There was a beautiful night sky.

Clean, new and lots to do.

If you don't have enough money or time for a beach vacation this is the place to go. You will enjoy Sandy beaches and the splash of cold water on your body.

Taste of the Beach

This is Georgia's newest state park (2013) and it is a beautiful park! The staff is great and there is plenty to see/do! The park is located on Lake Lanier with plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating! There's even a fish cleaning station (located near the main boat ramp entrance).

There are hiking trails, geocaches, a beach area, picnic shelters, cottages and a brand new equestrian trail system!

As far as camping goes, there are primitive tent/hammock sites and an RV campground. The RV campground features all paved campsites so it would be tough camping in a tent (no way to stake your tent).

Now, the ASPHALT is part of the reason for the review's title, coupled with the fact that this is a new park and tree coverage is a bit sparse for the time being. Once the canopy fills out, it will be shady.

We camped in our trusty pop up camper so direct sun is always an issue (non-insulated bunk ends) but a travel trailer/RV would probably fare well (as far as temp goes).

We'll be back but in the Fall when it is a bit cooler!

The campground hosts were friendly and they kept the bath houses/laundry facilities spotless!

This is a beautiful park and we highly recommend it, in the proper weather or camper!

HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

Ok so reading my title might be a bit deceiving. I went to Don Carter mid week after a holiday and the place was pretty empty. While usually that would be a bit weird this park made it one of the most amazing feelings on earth.

I pulled in late afternoon, deer were grazing in the primitive camp zones. I walked one of the trails and then headed over to explore the lake area. I was so pleased by the facility which had a nice sandy beach, outdoor showers, large restrooms and swings ideal for sitting and enjoying a meal by the lake.

I took a dip in the cool waters and though they were not a clear blue they were clear and I could see to the bottom all the way out to the edge of the swimming zone. It was beautiful!!!!

Pricing was very inexpensive for primitive camping which included fire rings and picnic tables and spacing was great!!

I ventured over to the RV area and those site also seemed to be spacious and though there were a few campers in that region it was still very light. I would for sure suggest weekday stay here!!

Tips:

*   If you are wanting to check out a rental of a canoe make sure you call in advance, these are only available during certain times. When I arrived I arrived late in the day and they were not available. The following day I also realized they were not open
*   Do some animal watching or photography. From 6 in the evening and beyond you will find deer grazing in late summer and early fall, also raccoons and other small animals can be spotted roaming in some of the open areas

I had a private beach all to myself!

Great, newer state park only an hour from intown Atlanta. We really enjoyed the primitive tent sites, especially the lake view loop. Really spread out, shady, good trees for hammocks, nice lake views at sites 11 and 12\. Short walk from the parking lot and they have carts you can use for your stuff. Water and port-a-potties also available at the parking lot. Relatively cheap and can hike all the park’s trails from the primitive sites. Firewood available to purchase when you check in. Bring the kayaks, there’s a boat ramp right by the campground! It was a tiny bit louder at night then we’re used to, could hear nearby roads.

Very nice new campground on the lake


Who ever decided that every campsite needed to be asphalt should be hung!
This is a newer State Park in Georgia and it could be nice, but it’s been paved over. They classify them as RV sites, but they are parking lots. 
They have water and electric, and a dump station. The bathroom/shower building was new. (There is a small primitive camping area for tents, with no facilities.)
There is a playground and a beach area, which was not open when we were there.
There are some “trails” but they are paved as well.
There are also cottages.
We went to a ranger program on raptors on Saturday which was interesting..
Probably won’t go back because there are lots of much nicer parks in Georgia.


Too much asphalt 

This park in North Georgia on Lake Lanier hit our trifecta 🚴‍♀️🥾🚣🏼‍♂️.

12.5 miles of multi use trails with some elevation.  
📌Additional bonus for those with strollers/small children or physical challenges —&gt;this park had several ADA accessible trails which were paved.

Lake Lanier offered wonderful kayaking/fishing opportunities, there is also a beach for swimming. If you paddle or fish- be sure to have your fishing license/whistle/ life jacket.  I got pulled over twice by water patrol.

Keith loved biking the rolling country roads surrounding the park.  Too hilly for me outside the park but I am a wimp about climbing hills.

 We could do it all easily from our campsite which had 30/50amp, water and lucky us there was a grey water drain within hose reach.  (These Grey water drains are dispersed randomly throughout the campground not always near your site) There is also cable hook up.  Verizon service was okay.  

We stayed here for 10 days in mid July and bugs were minimal...as long as you were inside or armed at dusk with repellent or fans.  

The wooded campsites and shady trails made the whole summer adventure great! 

 There are primitive tent camping areas and lovely 8 cottages/cabins too!)

Awesome park on Lake Lanier

This Georgia State Park is in Gainesville on the Chattahoochee where it meets up with Lake Lanier.  It was very easy to get to from the Atlanta area.  We originally chose site 8 on the map but found it was pretty exposed and got direct sun all the time.

  

The park was very clean and still had a "new" feeling.  We had a site with full hook ups.  There wasn't WiFi, but the cell service was good.  They did have cable.  There is a beach with kayak rentals.  We enjoyed a double kayak outing on the lake.  We kept pretty close to shore and didn't have to fight rough water or strong currents.

  

Some campsites are on small hills that flatten out for your camper but then the terrain falls off.  Biking trails weren't very flat.  We also had to be aware of ants.  Couldn't leave our dog's dish or bone out without being invaded.

  

Don't miss the Mountain Fresh Creamery almost 8 miles away for ice cream.  Also not far from Helen, GA and wineries.  Always great to spend time in the beautiful Georgia mountains.

Newest Georgia State Park

Since this a fairly new state park, the facilities are relatively new and the campground has up-to-date hook-ups so you don’t have to worry about getting electrocuted from an old post barely stuck in the ground. The campground has a mix of back-in sites, pull thrus, and primitive sites. We chose a pull thru site which was nice and long for our 45’ RV and tow car.  Site #7 is great with some shade and a partial view of the lake.  Be aware that numerous sites are not level and numerous pull thru sites are crested in the middle. The RV sites are paved which is especially nice when it is raining. Some of the roads are pretty weirdly laid out and we would mistake pull thru sites for roads so make sure to follow the white lines to navigate.  There are some fairly tight turns that you may need to take slow if you are in a big rig and watch out for the trees. There is a large picnic pavilion between sites 34 and 21 which could impact your camping if that was being used by a big group. The park has cable television and our Verizon phone and hotspot worked fine.

We liked the extensive hiking trails that we found all to ourselves and the access to the water. A nice, relatively flat easy 2-mile trail runs from the campground to the beach. There are a couple of boat launches (with rental paddle craft) and a swim beach. We were there on a weekday during the Coronavirus pandemic so there were not too many people there which made for a pleasant experience. The visitor center/office were closed but you could call for a reservation or book online. If you go online they have pictures of the campsites so you know what you are getting. This is the kind of park where you can spend lots of time enjoying the outdoors and an evening campfire. The surrounding area is pretty rural but if you feel like exploring head over to the neighboring town of Helen which is a Bavarian-themed mountain town with good German food and bakeries. You can also hike Anna Ruby Falls which is pretty and a short walk. Overall, we liked the campground and would camp here again.

Nice campground, good hiking and paddling 

Don Carter State Park is Georgia's newest campground. Very clean restrooms. There is a gate code to get in after hours and a separate gate code to get into the campground. The Cabins are very nice. We enjoyed the trails.

Don Carter State Park

Really nice state park located at north end of Lake Lanier.  Site 13 was great. Had woods and lake view. Paved pull through site with gravel pad for picnic and fire pit area. Plenty of room for camper, cars and boat trailer.  Bathroom facilities were extremely clean, well lighted, no spiders or bugs, etc. Enjoyed fishing and kayaking. Nice beach and swim area, boat docks and 2 boat launch sites, playground, etc.  Saw lots of deer and enjoyed walking some of the trails.  Will plan a trip in cooler weather fall or spring. Camp hosts were helpful and visitor center staff were very nice. Great cell service too. 

Love the view from our site 13

So far we've enjoyed our stay at Don Carter. Bathroom facility is sparkling clean. Campsite is very nice, we docked the boat and were able to walk to the dock. Afternoon ride on the water was very relaxing.

Relaxing stay near Lake Lanier

We are here for Halloween and its fantastic! People have decorated and all the kids are running and having fun. So happy to stay here even though its a bit of a maze to get in and find spots. The camp host are also very nice and helpful.

Wonderful in the fall

I went with my family and they enjoyed it. Very nice and clean.

Nice place

Nice modern rv spots with water and electric. Nice facilities even had laundry! As far as privacy goes, it really wasn’t too bad for how close the spots were. Right next to the Chattahoochee River. Never knew how much that muddy water meant to me.

Great campground

We’re still here. But we are enjoying our site. Great level site took no time to setup. Grey water on each site, power, and cable hookups. Our cable hookup was stripped but didn’t matter much. Campgrounds seem very new. Clean playground, quiet environment, and quiet camp grounds. 

Great Convenient Hiking Campgrounds!!

We go camping every memorial day weekend and this year it was at Don Carter. We love this camp ground! Its fairly new, probably under 12 years, and everything is so clean and well taken care of. The campsites are always clean when you arrive, and the volunteers are so sweet. We love that it's on the lake because family members have boats and its just easy to jump on at the campsite dock. There is also a beach for the kids to play at as well, very well kept. Our campsite was a tad bit small for our camper, large campers like motorhomes or fifth-wheels will not fit. Our campsite backed up to one of the hiking trails and our little guy loved it! Wonderful campground!

Annual Memorial Day Trip

A great place to camp with lots of hiking trails; there’s even a canoe trail! Campground is well maintained and bath houses are clean.

Spacious Campground on Lake Lanier

Very quite and easy to utilize all amenities. Nice having grey tank connection at the sites. Will be back. 

Quite campground

Clean and well-maintained including the facilities. 

Another great Georgia state park 

Nice state park with easy sites. Plenty large enough. Has grey tank hookup which is nice. Lots of trails to hike. 