Georgia Campground Guide
Don Carter State Park
State park with lake access, camping, and day-use recreation on Lake Lanier.
North Georgia High Country8 CabinsLake AccessPlayground
About Don Carter State Park
State park with lake access, camping, and day-use recreation on Lake Lanier.
Don Carter State Park occupies 1,316 wooded acres along the northern end of Lake Lanier, where the Chattahoochee River enters the reservoir. It is the only Georgia state park located directly on Lake Lanier and offers a well-rounded mix of camping, cabins, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, paddling, and horseback riding. Overnight options include 44 tent, trailer, and RV campsites, 16 primitive tent sites, and eight two-bedroom cottages set on wooded hillsides near the lake. Boat ramps, docks, a fish-cleaning station, a sand beach, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal kayak, paddleboard, and aquacycle rentals make the park especially convenient for families and water-focused trips. More than 14 miles of hiking and equestrian trails wind through hardwood forest and along the lakeshore, while four marked paddle routes explore quiet coves, wetlands, rocky bluffs, and stretches of the upper Chattahoochee. Several paved and accessible trails connect the campground, cottages, beach, visitor center, and day-use areas.
Campground Details
- Tent Sites16
- Cabins8
- Picnic Shelters4
- Lake AccessYes
- PlaygroundYes
- Boat RentalYes
Amenities
Camp SitesParkingPlaygroundRestroomsRV Hookups
Things to Do
Campinghikingmountain bikinghorseback ridingboatingkayakingfishingswimming when the designated area is openpicnickingwildlife watching
Nearby Attractions
- Lake Lanier
- Don Carter State Park Beach
- Gainesville Square
- Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville
- Elachee Nature Science Center
- Interactive Neighborhood for Kids
Managed Hunt Opportunity
Hunting at This Property
Quota firearms deer hunt opportunity. Hunters should confirm current dates, application requirements, check-in instructions, hunt boundaries, closures, fees, and property-specific regulations through official Georgia DNR and Go Outdoors Georgia quota hunt resources before planning a hunt.
State Park Quota Hunt Deer only Firearms Quota Hunt
No ATVs, State Park Managed Hunt, State Park Quota Hunt, ParkPass Required, Hunt Fee Required, Pre-Hunt Check-In Required, Park Closed During Hunt