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Georgia Hunting Area

Don Carter State Park

Gainesville • Hall County • North Georgia High Country

State park with lake access, camping, and day-use recreation on Lake Lanier.

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Don Carter State Park
State Park Quota Hunt Deer only Firearms State Park Managed Hunt Area

Don Carter State Park

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.

Hunting Opportunities

Species and access notes

Use these as planning categories only. Seasons, quota details, legal methods, bag limits, and property-specific rules must be confirmed through Georgia DNR before visiting.

Listed Game Opportunities

Deer

Hunt & Access Flags

  • Quota Hunts: Yes
  • Youth Hunts: No
  • Specialty Hunts: No
  • Developed Camping: No
  • Primitive Camping: No
  • Boat Access Required: No
  • ATVs: No
Facilities & Recreation

Features at Don Carter State Park

Features are based on researched property data and should be verified with official sources before making a trip plan.

Access

No ATVs

This property includes no atvs. Confirm current availability, access, hours, and seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Hunting

State Park Managed Hunt

This property includes state park managed hunt. Confirm current availability, access, hours, and seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Hunting

State Park Quota Hunt

This property includes state park quota hunt. Confirm current availability, access, hours, and seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Access

ParkPass Required

This property includes parkpass required. Confirm current availability, access, hours, and seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Access

Hunt Fee Required

This property includes hunt fee required. Confirm current availability, access, hours, and seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Access

Pre-Hunt Check-In Required

This property includes pre-hunt check-in required. Confirm current availability, access, hours, and seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Rules

Park Closed During Hunt

This property includes park closed during hunt. Confirm current availability, access, hours, and seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Planning Notes

Important details before you go

These notes summarize durable planning considerations. Current regulations and closures can change.

Hunting Summary

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.

Habitat

Lake Lanier state park habitat with wooded uplands and lake shoreline.

Access Notes

Prior to hunting, hunters must check in with the park office or check-in station, or attend the pre-hunt meeting.

ATV Notes

No ATVs are allowed during the state park hunt.

Camping

Cabins and campsites may be reserved through the park office when allowed for hunt participants.

Quota Hunts

Quota firearms deer hunt; confirm current application requirements and hunt dates.

Safety Notes

Follow park hunt boundaries and pre-hunt instructions.

Closures

All park access is closed to the public during the hunt.

Fees & Passes

Hunt fee and ParkPass are required for selected participants.

Map & Directions

Find Don Carter State Park

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