Wild Georgia Events

Don Carter State Park


Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Ice Cream Celebration!
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025 3 PM to 4 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Celebrate Don Carter's 12th Birthday by making bag ice cream! For only $4 in cash you get your choice of vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry ice cream. Join us at the visitor center to make a delicious treat and unforgettable summer memories. $4 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Friday, July 18, 2025

Origami Butterflies
Friday, Jul 18, 2025 2 PM to 3:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join our naturalist outside the visitor center and learn to make origami butterflies! $2 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Paint The Park at Sunset
Friday, Jul 18, 2025 7:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
A watercolor program for adults (16+) of all artistic experience. We will be painting the scenic view from Picnic Shelter #3 that overlooks the lake. All supplies are provided. $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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Saturday, July 19, 2025

Get to Know North Georgia Hike
Saturday, Jul 19, 2025 9 AM to 10 AM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Take a short hike with our naturalist around the Huckleberry Trail to learn some general local history as well as local flora and fauna. The trail is 0.75 miles, unpaved, with a mix of walking uphill and downhill. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Forest Forensics: Become a Dendrology Detective!
Saturday, Jul 19, 2025 1 PM to 2 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Come learn to identify trees using a key guide made by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Use your detective skills to investigate different tree traits, and expand your botanical vocabulary! We will meet and practice in front of the visitor center and then use our knew found knowledge on the paved Overlook Trail. Recommended for ages 10+. $2 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Become a Campfire Chef: Hot Dogs!
Saturday, Jul 19, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join our rangers in making this classic camping meal during National Hot Dog month! 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, July 26, 2025

Frogs and Toads of GA Campfire Program
Saturday, Jul 26, 2025 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ever wonder what our state amphibian is, or which frog can croak the loudest? Come find out at the Frogs and Toads of GA Campfire Program! Listen to an interactive campfire story 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, July 27, 2025

Friend or Foe Talk
Sunday, Jul 27, 2025 1:30 PM to 2 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Have trouble identifying poison ivy, or telling venomous snakes from non-venomous ones? Or, do you wonder how to interact with that wildlife once you know what it is? This talk at Picnic Shelter 2 is for you! Learn how to ID local potential hazards and learn the safest way to interact with them. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Thursday, July 31, 2025

Game Night With a Ranger!
Thursday, Jul 31, 2025 6:30 PM to 8 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Take some time to get to know park staff and your fellow campers by playing games together! With a wide array of card and board games for all ages, there is something for everyone. For overnight guests in the pavilion in the RV campground. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Friday, August 1, 2025

Fingerprint Bug Craft
Friday, Aug 1, 2025 2 PM to 3:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Come make fingerprint bugs in a jar with our naturalist outside the visitor center! $2 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Nocturnal Night Hike
Friday, Aug 1, 2025 8 PM to 9 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 Overlook Trail, no flashlights are necessary. Call 678-450-7726 to preregister of bring cash day of. $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, August 2, 2025

National Sand Castle Day Competiton
Saturday, Aug 2, 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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Become a Campfire Chef: Mac and Cheese!
Saturday, Aug 2, 2025 6 PM to 7:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Life is cheddar with yummy campfire meals! Join us outside the visitor center for a gouda time. 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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Friday, August 15, 2025

Space Campfire Program
Friday, Aug 15, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ever wondered if Earth is the only planet with liquid water, or how long it would take you to fly a plane to Pluto? Come find out at the Space Campfire Program! Listen to a campfire story and play educational games with our naturalist. For overnight guests in the pavilion in the RV campgrounds. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, August 16, 2025

Step Through the Solar System Hike
Saturday, Aug 16, 2025 12 PM to 12:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join our naturalist at the Overlook Trail for a short, out of this world hike that explores the different planets and how far apart they are. Step among the stars and into curiosity! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, August 23, 2025

Step Through the Solar System Hike
Saturday, Aug 23, 2025 12 PM to 12:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join our naturalist at the Overlook Trail for a short, out of this world hike that explores the different planets and how far apart they are. Step among the stars and into curiosity! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, August 30, 2025

Yoga On The Beach
Saturday, Aug 30, 2025 8 AM to 9 AM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Experience a unique and relaxing yoga session on our beach, lead 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. $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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Friday, September 12, 2025

Moths of Georgia Campfire Program
Friday, Sep 12, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ever wondered if there were more moth species than butterflies, or what moths eat? Come find out at the Moths of Georgia Campfire Program! Listen to a campfire story and play educational games with our naturalist. For overnight guests in the pavilion in the RV campgrounds. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, September 13, 2025

Become a Campfire Chef: Peach Cobbler
Saturday, Sep 13, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
This campfire cooking program is peachy keen and ripe for fun! 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! Pre-registration is required, you can call ahead or register in the visitor center. $5 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Friday, September 26, 2025

Moths of Georgia Campfire Program
Friday, Sep 26, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ever wondered if there were more moth species than butterflies, or what moths eat? Come find out at the Moths of Georgia Campfire Program! Listen to a campfire story and play educational games with our naturalist. For overnight guests in the pavilion in the RV campgrounds. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, October 4, 2025

Stick Horse Rodeo
Saturday, Oct 4, 2025 5 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Calling all Cowboys and Cowgirls! Bring your own stick horse for some down home old timey fun! $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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Friday, November 28, 2025

Game Night With a Ranger!
Friday, Nov 28, 2025 5 PM to 6:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Take some time to get to know park staff and your fellow campers by playing games together! With a wide array of card and board games for all ages, there is something for everyone. For overnight guests in the pavilion in the RV campground. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, November 29, 2025

S'mores With Santa
Saturday, Nov 29, 2025 1 PM to 3 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Come see Santa and share a sweet treat with him around the campfire! We'll also have crafts set up for those waiting for their special turn with the big man in red. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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