Wild Georgia Events

Don Carter State Park


Sunday, April 20, 2025

Egg-questrian Scavenger Hunt
8 AM - 5 PM from Apr 20, 2025 
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Come ride the trails at Don Carter State Park and see how many Easter eggs you can find! Pickup a checklist from the front office, take your ride, and drop it back off for a chance to win a prize! Winners will be notified by April 25th. This is a Friends of Don Carter program, proceeds support equestrian trail upkeep and bridge maintenance. $5 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Friday, April 25, 2025

Earth Day Campfire Program
Friday, Apr 25, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Come learn from our naturalist the ways we can be better stewards for the environment in honor of Earth Day! Will include fun educational games like a recycle relay race. This program is for overnight guests and will meet at the pavilion in the RV campgrounds. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, April 26, 2025

Upcycle Art: One Man's Trash is Another Man's Craft!
Saturday, Apr 26, 2025 1 PM to 3 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Come learn the art of upcycling by making some unique crafts from typically discarded items! We will make egg carton flowers/mushrooms and paper beads! We will meet at picnic shelter #1, please call ahead to register. $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Paint The Park at Sunset
Saturday, Apr 26, 2025 7 PM to 8 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
A watercolor program for adults of all artistic experience. We will be painting the scenic view from Picnic Shelter #3 that overlooks the lake. $3 per person, call the visitor's center at 678-450-7726 to register. $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Friday, May 2, 2025

Nocturnal Night Hike
Friday, May 2, 2025 7 PM to 8 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Explore the world of nocturnal animals with our Nocturnal Night Hike! As the sun sets, we will test all 5 of our senses and see how they change in the dark. Meet at the Huckleberry Trail, no flashlights are necessary. $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, May 3, 2025

Pollinators of Georgia Campfire Program
Saturday, May 3, 2025 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ever wondered how bees communicate, or how many plants rely on pollinators? Come find out at the Pollinators of GA Campfire Program! Listen to a Native American story about how the bee got its stinger and play educational games with our naturalist. For overnight guests in the pavilion in the RV campground. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, May 10, 2025

Birding Walk With Bill Elliott
Saturday, May 10, 2025 8 AM to 9:30 AM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us for a morning bird walk around the beach, lead by retired forestry technician Bill Elliott. We will meet at picnic shelter #3. Please call ahead to register. $2 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Monday, May 12, 2025

Pages in the Park
Monday, May 12, 2025 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Enjoy a story time lead by the wonderful librarians of the Hall County Library System. Story time will be followed with an activity lead by a ranger. We will meet at Picnic Shelter #1. This month's theme is pollinators! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, May 17, 2025

Become a Campfire Chef: Nachos!
Saturday, May 17, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
This is nacho average cooking program! This is part of our 2025 campfire cooking series. You will get a personalized sticker and new cooking skills for each program you come to! Please call ahead to register. $5 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, May 24, 2025

Pollinators of Georgia Campfire Program
Saturday, May 24, 2025 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ever wondered how bees communicate, or how many plants rely on pollinators? Come find out at the Pollinators of GA Campfire Program! Listen to a Native American story about how the bee got its stinger and play educational games with our naturalist. For overnight guests in the pavilion in the RV campground. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Sunday, May 25, 2025

Bats & Bees Pollinator Bingo
Sunday, May 25, 2025 1 PM to 2 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
If you come to picnic shelter #2 to play pollinator themed bingo bee prepared for a fun time! We will be playing with specially made bingo sheets with Georgia pollinators and will also learn some fun facts about them as well! Friendly for all ages. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Monday, May 26, 2025

Memorial Day Sand Castle Competition
Monday, May 26, 2025 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Calling all people who don't mind getting their hands a little sandy! Teams of 6 or less will have 45 minutes to build sand castles that are judged based on creativity, neatness, details, stability, and height. Prizes for first, second, and third place! Meet the judges at the beach and bring your own tools. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, May 31, 2025

Yoga On The Shore
Saturday, May 31, 2025 8 AM to 9 AM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Experience a unique and relaxing yoga session on our beach, led by instructors from Find Your Center Yoga Studio. This event is BYOYM- Bring Your Own Yoga Mat! People of all levels of experience are welcome. Please call ahead to register, or register in the visitor center. $5 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Friday, July 4, 2025

Fourth of July Sand Castle Competition
Friday, Jul 4, 2025 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Calling all people who don't mind getting their hands a little sandy! Teams of 6 or less will have 45 minutes to build sand castles that are judged based on creativity, neatness, details, stability, and height. Prizes for first, second, and third place! Meet the judges at the beach and bring your own tools. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Jr Ranger Camp: Camp Sandy Shores
Wednesday, Jul 9, 2025 9 AM to 3 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Give your child unforgettable summer memories at this Jr. Ranger Camp on Lake Lanier for ages 7-11. Camp Sandy Shores consists of 3 days of exciting activities like crafts, hiking, archery, kayaking, fishing and daily time to swim on our beach. There is limited space so please call soon to register! Wednesday-Friday. $85 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Jr Ranger Camp: Camp Sandy Shores
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2025 9 AM to 3 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Give your child unforgettable summer memories at this Jr. Ranger Camp on Lake Lanier for ages 7-11. Camp Sandy Shores consists of 3 days of exciting activities like crafts, hiking, archery, kayaking, fishing and daily time to swim on our beach. There is limited space so please call soon to register! Wednesday-Friday. $85 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Monday, September 1, 2025

Labor Day Sand Castle Competition
Monday, Sep 1, 2025 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Calling all people who don't mind getting their hands a little sandy! Teams of 6 or less will have 45 minutes to build sand castles that are judged based on creativity, neatness, details, stability, and height. Prizes for first, second, and third place! Meet the judges at the beach and bring your own tools. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, October 25, 2025

Trunk or Treat
Saturday, Oct 25, 2025 5 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
A family friendly event for ghosts and ghouls of all ages. Enjoy this Halloween themed event and receive candy from local organizations and Don Carter park rangers. Please park at the beach, a hayride will take you to the candy! Costumes encouraged. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, November 8, 2025

Touch-A-Truck Day
Saturday, Nov 8, 2025 11 AM to 1 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Touch, see, and talk about all kinds of trucks and other big equipment at our day-use boat ramp! A Georgia State Park Pass is required to attend and can be bought for $5.00 at the park office or kiosk. We hope to see you there! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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