Wild Georgia Events

Don Carter State Park


Friday, May 2, 2025

Nocturnal Night Hike
Friday, May 2, 2025 7:45 PM to 8:45 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

Hiking In Their Footsteps
Saturday, May 24, 2025 12 PM to 1 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join our naturalist on the Huckleberry Trail to learn about animals that you would have seen roaming the park before they went extinct! For curious people of all ages, call the visitor center to register. $2 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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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 By The Lake
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 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Bats & Bees Pollinator Bingo
Saturday, May 31, 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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Saturday, June 7, 2025

Fish of Georgia Campfire Program
Saturday, Jun 7, 2025 7 PM to 8 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ever wondered how you can age a fish, or what the state record is for the biggest fish caught in Georgia? Come find out at the Fish of GA Campfire Program! Listen to a Native American story about the giant fish Dakwa, 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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Friday, June 27, 2025

Fish of Georgia Campfire Program
Friday, Jun 27, 2025 7 PM to 8 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ever wondered how you can age a fish, or what the state record is for the biggest fish caught in Georgia? Come find out at the Fish of GA Campfire Program! Listen to a Native American story about the giant fish Dakwa, 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, June 28, 2025

Become a Campfire Chef: Elote!
Saturday, Jun 28, 2025 6 PM to 7 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.
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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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Saturday, July 19, 2025

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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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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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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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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