Don Carter State Park: Overlook and Terrapin Cove Trails (Blog Hike #675)

Trails: Overlook and Terrapin Cove Trails

Hike Location: Don Carter State Park

Geographic Location: northeast of Gainesville, GA (34.38879, -83.74553)

Length: 2 miles

Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)

Dates Hiked: February 2018, May 2023

Overview: An out-and-back along the north shore of Lake Lanier.

Park Information: http://gastateparks.org/DonCarter

Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=672475
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: From the intersection of SR 284 and US 129 in Gainesville, take SR 284 north 6.2 miles to Browning Bridge Road.  Turn right on Browning Bridge Rd.  Drive winding Browning Bridge Rd. 1.8 miles to the signed park entrance on the left.  Turn left to enter the park, pay the park entrance fee, and park in any of the small parking areas near the Visitor Center.

The hike: Established only in 2013, 1316-acre Don Carter State Park is Georgia’s newest state park and only state park on Lake Lanier.  The park is named for Don Carter, a 29-year member of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ board who helped established this park.  The park sits on the north shore of 38,000 acre Lake Lanier, an impoundment of the Chattahoochee River that forms one of the major water sources for metro Atlanta. 

            The park’s lakeside location makes it a major destination for paddlers, and 4 paddle trails totaling 8 miles explore Lake Lanier’s waters and islands.  For lodging, the park features a 44-site developed campground, a 12-site primitive campground, and 8 cabins.  Two boat ramps, two playgrounds, several picnic shelters, and a swimming beach round out the amenities.  Overall, the park offers a surprisingly cozy and rustic atmosphere given its lakeside location on the fringe of metro Atlanta.

            For hikers, Don Carter State Park’s 6 trails seem to offer plenty of options, but 4 of those trails are paved with asphalt and one of the dirt trails (the Huckleberry Trail) is only 0.7 miles long.  Thus, the park’s most popular and best hiking option is the one mile one-way Terrapin Cove Trail featured here.  Do not expect solitude on this hike because the Terrapin Cove Trail runs along the shore of Lake Lanier and connects the park’s three most popular areas: the swimming beach, the campground, and the boat ramp.

Visitor Center trailhead

            There are several places from which you could start the Terrapin Cove Trail, but I chose to start at the Visitor Center trailhead because it is the easiest to find.  Located beside the parking lot just uphill (south) of the Visitor Center, signs for the Overlook Trail and Terrapin Cove Trail access mark this trailhead, as does a wooden post bearing a blue reflector.  Head east from this trailhead on the asphalt Overlook Trail, which immediately enters the mixed Piedmont forest.  The sign at the trailhead says this trail is handicapped accessible, though some parts seem too steep for such access without a strong assistant.

Swinging bench at "overlook"

            At 0.1 miles, the asphalt ends at a trio of swinging benches.  Although this trail is named for this “overlook,” trees prevent any clear views, especially during the leafy season.  The trail now turns to dirt and descends a pair of switchbacks to reach the Overlook Trail’s end at an intersection with the Terrapin Cove Trail, which goes right and left.  The portion going left quickly ends at the park’s playground and swimming beach, so you should turn right to hike the majority of the Terrapin Cove Trail.

            Marked with red metal rectangles, the Terrapin Cove Trail descends slightly and soon crosses a small stream on a nice wooden footbridge with arm rails.  You are now close enough to Lake Lanier that some better lake views start to emerge.  I had to negotiate some trees blown down by a recent snowstorm here, but overall the trail is well-worn and easy to follow.  Next the trail arcs around the developed campground, and at 0.6 miles the campground access trail exits right.

Hiking along Lake Lanier

            Another descent brings you to the campground courtesy dock and another stream crossing.  Just past 0.8 miles, a spur trail exits right and leads uphill to a picnic area.  Stay left to remain near the lake.  600 feet later, you reach the Terrapin Cove Trail’s south end at the boat ramp.  Some benches here make nice breezy places to rest and watch the lake’s boat traffic before retracing your steps to the Visitor Center to complete the hike.