Monumental Moments Events

Don Carter State Park


Saturday, January 24, 2026

Intro to Merlin Bird ID
Saturday, Jan 24, 2026 8:45 AM to 9:30 AM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Meet our naturalist at picnic shelter 3 to learn how to use the Merlin Bird ID app. After a quick overview of the app and how it works, you will take a walk around the park and test out the app yourself! Please download Merlin Bird ID on your phone before the program. Call the visitor center to register. $1 plus parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Get to Know North Georgia Hike
Saturday, Jan 24, 2026 10 AM to 11 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 flora and fauna. The trail is 0.75 miles, unpaved, with a mix of walking uphill and downhill. Parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Hibernating Bear Craft
Saturday, Jan 24, 2026 11:30 AM to 12 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Meet outside the visitor center for an adorable bear craft! $1 plus parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Sunday, January 25, 2026

Pet a Pelt!
Sunday, Jan 25, 2026 1 PM to 1:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us at Picnic Shelter 3 to learn about Georgia mammals! You will have the opportunity to touch and interact with a variety of furs while learning about the animals that call our state home. Pay in the visitor center beforehand, or bring cash to the event. $1 plus parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Friend or Foe Talk
Sunday, Jan 25, 2026 2 PM to 2:45 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 3 is for you! Learn how to ID local potential hazards and learn the safest way to interact with them. Parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, January 31, 2026

Get to Know North Georgia Hike
Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 10 AM to 11 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 flora and fauna. The trail is 0.75 miles, unpaved, with a mix of walking uphill and downhill. Parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, February 21, 2026

Meet our Mosses Hike
Saturday, Feb 21, 2026 11 AM to 11:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Learn about and touch Georgia native mosses with our naturalist. Meet at the head of the Overlook Trail. Parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, February 28, 2026

Get to Know North Georgia Hike
Saturday, Feb 28, 2026 10 AM to 11 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 flora and fauna. The trail is 0.75 miles, unpaved, with a mix of walking uphill and downhill. Parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Friday, March 13, 2026

Nocturnal Night Hike
Friday, Mar 13, 2026 7:45 PM to 8:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Explore the world of nocturnal animals! 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. Pre-registration is required; call the visitor center to reserve your spot. $3 plus parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, March 14, 2026

Meet our Mosses Hike
Saturday, Mar 14, 2026 11 AM to 11:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Learn about and touch Georgia native mosses with our naturalist. Meet at the head of the Overlook Trail. Parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Monday, March 16, 2026

Homeschool Day: Birds of Georgia!
Monday, Mar 16, 2026 12 PM to 1 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ever wondered what the biggest owl in Georgia is, or which bird can fly backwards? Come find out at this Birds of Georgia program! Play 2 educational games followed by a craft at Picnic Shelter 1. Call the visitor center to pre-register, or bring cash to the event. $3 plus parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, March 28, 2026

Pet a Pelt!
Saturday, Mar 28, 2026 12 PM to 12:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us at Picnic Shelter 3 to learn about Georgia mammals! You will have the opportunity to touch and interact with a variety of furs while learning about the animals that call our state home. Pay in the visitor center beforehand, or bring cash to the event. $1 plus parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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Become a Natural at iNaturalist!
Saturday, Mar 28, 2026 1 PM to 2 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Have you ever seen an interesting plant or insect, but didn't know how to identify it? With the iNaturalist app, you can ID plants, animals, insects, and fungi in just seconds! Come learn how to use the app at the visitor center, followed by a fun competition to test your new skills. Pre-register by calling the visitor center. $1 plus parking fee required. 678-450-7726.
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