Wild Georgia Events

Don Carter State Park


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.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Friday, October 3, 2025

Become a Campfire Chef: Elote!
Friday, Oct 3, 2025 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Pop in for this a-maize-ing campfire cooking program! Learn how to make elote, also known as Mexican street corn. 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.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details
Haunts of Hall County
Friday, Oct 3, 2025 7 PM to 8 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Recommended for people ages 17+. If you dare, join us at Picnic Shelter #3 to learn about Hall County's ghosts, local legends, and history from a Gainesville native. Registration required. $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Nocturnal Night Hike
Saturday, Oct 4, 2025 7:15 PM to 8 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. Call 678-450-7726 to preregister or bring cash day of. $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
View Event Details

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Paint The Park
Sunday, Oct 5, 2025 3 PM to 4:30 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.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Friday, October 17, 2025

Become a Campfire Chef: Hot Dogs!
Friday, Oct 17, 2025 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join our rangers in making this classic camping meal! 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.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Paint The Park
Saturday, Oct 18, 2025 5 PM to 6:30 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.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details
Haunts of Hall County
Saturday, Oct 18, 2025 7 PM to 8 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Recommended for people ages 17+. If you dare, join us at Picnic Shelter #3 to learn about Hall County's ghosts, local legends, and history from a Gainesville native. Registration required. $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Friday, October 24, 2025

Movie Night at the Park: Double Feature!
Friday, Oct 24, 2025 6 PM to 9 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us outside the visitor center for a night filled with fall, family films. Snacks will be available inside starting at 6 pm, and the first movie (animated, G-rated) will begin at 6:30 pm. The second movie (live action, PG-rated) will begin at 7:30 pm. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Call the visitor center for more information! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

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.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Friday, October 31, 2025

Trick or Treat in the Campground!
Friday, Oct 31, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
For overnight guests looking to have a sweet Halloween, you are invited to participate in Trick or Treating in the RV Campground and Cottage loops. Set up outside of your campsite/cabin to hand out prepackaged candy/goods; children must be accompanied by an adult. Happy Halloween! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
View Event Details

Friday, November 14, 2025

Become a Campfire Chef: Nachos!
Friday, Nov 14, 2025 5:30 PM to 6:30 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.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Friday, November 21, 2025

Become a Campfire Chef: Pizza!
Friday, Nov 21, 2025 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Come warm your hands and stomach by learning how to make campfire pizza with our rangers! 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! Meet at the visitor center. Pre-registration is REQUIRED; call the visitor at 678-450-7726 to reserve your spot. $5 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Movie Night at the Park!
Saturday, Nov 22, 2025 6 PM to 8 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us for an animated, G-rated movie! Meet outside the visitor center, with snacks inside, starting at 6 pm, and the movie starts at 6:30 pm. Bring your own chairs/blankets. This event will happen rain or shine, as we are under a roof. Call the park for more information! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

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.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Movie Night at the Park: Double Feature!
Saturday, Dec 20, 2025 5 PM to 10 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us for a night of winter movie magic at the group shelter. Doors open at 5 pm with the first movie (animated, holiday-themed, PG-rated) starting at 5:30 pm. The second movie (live-action, winter-themed, PG-rated) will begin at 7:30 pm. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Call the visitor center for more information! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Movie Night at the Park!
Saturday, Jan 3, 2026 5 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us at the group shelter to watch an animated, PG-rated movie to end Winter Break! Doors open at 5 pm, and the movie will begin at 5:30 pm. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Call the visitor center for more information! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Accessible Event 
View Event Details