Don Carter

Don Carter State Park Trail Map 5000 N Browning Bridge Road • Gainesville, GA 30506 • 678-450-7726 • Reservations: 1-800-864-7275 • GaStateParks.org #2 ma p) et ins Equestri p #2 Wa te il ra T r i 3m ~ ( 3 ria il Lost C ov eW at e ap in r Eque s Spur trian #1 llel T ra Tr ail Huckleberry Trail Ter rail ve T Co B12 k rloo Ove rail T nL oop #3 nn Co Para B1 Hik ing C onn ect or # 1 in Hik H ik gL p oo Hiking Loop #2 dl a n d Tr l ai r ate eW ov oo 1 oo st L ter B3 W B9 #4 oop nL B2 W o od l and T r ail p# Loo p ue C Dog 1.0 Eq op k Inn e r Lo e e Cr Dog Creek Oute r L stri a n Eque r Tr ail B10 in g C o nnector # 2 #1 Private i Hik ng op Lo #3 #4 B15 oo oo p B16 ng L Ta ale Wh ail r Tr e t a il W Tr ail B14 L ing k i H B11 2 p# W ate r B13 Hik i B17 nd t Isl a Fla 0.75 n g Do 1 or # ect B8 Equestri a Paddle Ramp Parking Restroom Scenic Lookout Trailhead (long hikes) Visitors Center n Equ e s t r i a 0.5 nd Fla t I s l a n nector # B5 oo p B# tri a B6 Creek Ou Dog B4 Symbols Beach Boat Ramp Bridge Number Farm Gate Tie Line Courtesy Dock U Conna m ed n ector Lo o B7 estrian C Equ o Dog Cove Paddle Trail Flat Island Paddle Trail Lost Cove Paddle Trail Whale Tail Paddle Trail Dog Creek Inner Loop Dog Creek Outer Loop Hiking Connector #1 Hiking Connector #2 Hiking Loop #1 Hiking Loop #2 Hiking Loop #3 Hiking Loop #4 Whale Tail Hiking Trail t or Eques C an c ne on Water Trails - Dash/Double-Dot Line Long Hiking Trails - Dash Line 0.25 State Park Huckleberry Trail Overlook Trail Parallel Trail Terrapin Cove Trail Woodland Trail Equestrian Connector #1 Equestrian Connector #2 Equestrian Connector #3 Equestrian Loop #1 Equestrian Loop #2 Equestrian Loop #3 Equestrian Loop #4 Equestrian Spur #1 Dog Creek Inner Loop Dog Creek Outer Loop 0 miles (approx.) Don Carter Short Hiking Trails - Dash/Dot Line Equestrian Trails - Solid Line ,s ee L EGE N D B18 ur Sp l i Ta le a Wh D W og at C er ov Tr e ail Lo Wa st C ter ove Tra il This is a mixed-use trail for both hikers & equestrians (no bicycles permitted). Observe proper etiquette. Blazing: Purple rectangle. Two bridges (B4 & B5). Junctions with: Dog Creek Inner Loop & the following trails, which are for riders only: Equestrian Connector #1; Equestrian Loop #2, & Equestrian Loop #4. Easy to moderate - Natural surface - About 0.8 miles This trail crosses North Browning Bridge Road. Use caution. Blazing: Green rectangle. No bridges. Connects the parking lot to Hiking Connector #1 & Hiking Loop #1. Equestri tri Travel upstream to the most northern island in Lake Lanier. See rocky bluffs, reedy shoreline & explore 1-mile Flat Creek B4 near the northern end. Woodland Loop (Hiking) ADA-accessible & open to bicycles & strollers. Blazing: Green rectangle. Parking near the Beach/Picnic Area. Junctions with Parallel Trail & Dog Creek trails (which are mixed-use). Access to “walk-in” campsites. Signs will warn of the only steep grade on this route. Blazing: Yellow diamond. One bridge (B1). Access to North Browning Bridge Road. Junctions with Equestrian Spur #1 & Equestrian Connector #1. Equestrian Loop #2 Easy - Natural surface - About 2 miles Equestrian Loop #4 Easy to moderate - Natural surface - About 1.6 miles Blazing: Pink diamond. Two bridges (B8 & B9). Junctions with Equestrian Loop #2, Equestrian Loop #3 & Dog Creek Outer Loop. Includes a ‘short-cut,’ bypassing a loop along the northern peninsula. Equestrian Spur #1 Easy - Natural surface - About 0.2 miles Blazing: Blue diamond. Gentle slope. No bridges. Connects the parking lot to both Equestrian Loop #1 & Equestrian Connector #1 (also blazed in blue diamonds). nn Co Eque s Spur trian #1 $ Pay Station Hiking Loop #4 Tie Line Moderately strenuous - Natural surface - About 1.9 miles Hik ing C Kayak Shack Blazing: Blue rectangles. Four bridges (B14, B15, B16, & B17). Junctions with Hiking Loop #2 & the Whale Tail Spur. Includes views of the lake. No Motor Boats B12 AquaCycle Rental / Concessions Parking Whale Tail Spur (Hiking) Moderate - Natural surface - About 1.2 miles Picnic Shelter Blazing: Silver rectangles. Two bridges (B17 & B18 ). Junctions with Hiking Loop #4. Views of the lake & access to a paddle boat ramp. Playground H Rest room iking Loo p #2 SHORT HIKING TRAILS Trailhead (long hikes) Huckleberry Loop (Hiking) ok o l r e Ov rail T B# Blazing: White rectangle. Parking available at the upper end of the North Boat Ramp (furthest from the water). The Huckleberry Trail begins as a spur, then divides to form a loop. You may hike in either direction for views of the lake. Return back to the spur for views of the Beach Cove. The trail is named after the native Georgia huckleberries, which are related to blueberries. Bridge (numbered) B13 B14 Parallel Trail (Hiking) Easy - Paved - About 0.5 miles B15 Blazing: Purple rectangle. Connects Terrapin Cove Trail to Huckleberry Trail & Woodland Loop. Access to many important amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds, parking, etc.). llel T ra Tr ail il Huckleberry Trail ap $ onn ect or # 1 B in CS H ik Visitor Center / Park Office Easy - Natural surface - About 0.75 miles 12 B10 in g C o nnector # 2 #1 Blazing: Orange diamond. No bridges. Includes a couple short spurs & two scenic overlooks of the lake. Junctions with Equestrian Loop #2 & Equestrian Loop #4. Fishing Pier p oo Moderate to strenuous - Natural surface - About 2.8 miles Comfort Station Fish-cleaning Station Blazing: Lavender or pink rectangles. One bridge (B11). Includes views of the lake. Junctions with Hiking Loop #1 & Hiking Loop #2. Para B1 gL Equestrian Loop #3 1 in Hik Blazing: Red diamond. Gentle slopes. One bridge (B8). Junctions with Equestrian Connector #2, Equestrian Connector #3, an unnamed connector, Equestrian Loop #3, Equestrian Loop #4 & Dog Creek Outer Loop (which is a mixed-use trail). p# Courtesy Dock Moderately strenuous - Natural surface - About 1.5 miles 11 10 Hi g ki n CS B11 #2 p o Lo i Hik ng #3 p o Lo 7 8 Private 6 5 4 1 2 #4 Easy to moderate - Natural surface - About 0.9 miles Hiking Loop #3 9 8 rail ve T Co Equestrian Loop #1 CS 7 r Blazing: White diamond. Very gentle slopes. No bridges. Serves as a ‘short-cut’ from one side of Equestrian Loop #2 to the opposite site. Campsite Blazing: White rectangles. Three bridges (B13 & B14). Junctions with Hiking Loop #1, Hiking Loop #3, & Hiking Loop #4. 1 Ter Easy - Natural surface - About 0.7 miles Cottage Easy to moderate - Natural surface - About 1.7 miles oo p Equestrian Connector #3 Boat Slip Hiking Loop # 2 W o od l and T r ail oo Blazing: White diamond. Moderate slopes on occasion. Climbs to a ridge & back down. Connects Equestrian Loop #2 to Dog Creek Outer Loop (which is a mixed-use trail). Includes one bridge (B6). Boat Ramp 6 r ate eW ov Easy - Natural surface - About 0.8 miles Beach House 4 2 5 C Dog Equestrian Connector #2 B Blazing: Yellow rectangles. Two bridges (B11 & B12). Junctions with Hiking Connector #1, Hiking Connector #2, Hiking Loop #2, & Hiking Loop #3. B3 3 n Equ e s t r i a Beach Easy to moderate - Natural surface - About 1.3 miles Loo p B2 L stri a n Eque Blazing: Blue diamond. Gentle slopes with some elevation changes. Two bridges (B1 & B2). Connects Equestrian Loop #1 & Equestrian Spur #1 to Dog Creek Outer Loop (which is a mixed-used trail). Hiking Loop #1 gL Easy - Natural surface - About 1.6 miles Central Area Legend r #1 o t ec op o L #4 oop nL Equestrian Connector #1 Dog Creek Oute r Easy - Natural surface - About 0.5 miles Eq Equestri a k Inn e r ree C g Do Hiking Connector #2 Trail crosses North Browning Bridge Road. Use caution. Blazing: Dark-red rectangle. No bridges. Connects Terrapin Cove Trail to Hiking Connector #1 & Hiking Loop #1. B8 B5 Easy to moderate - Natural surface - About 1.2 miles This is a mixed-use trail for both hikers & equestrians (no bicycles permitted). Observe proper etiquette. Blazing: Green diamond. Into & along the floodplain of Dog Creek. Two bridges (B4 & B5). Junctions with: Dog Creek Inner Loop; Equestrian Connector #1; Equestrian Loop #2, & Equestrian Loop #4. an travel downstream (no uesas your Traverse across more open qwater Co the Whale Tail. Stay in E current) towards the park’s largest peninsula, ctor # for nthe neshorelines the main center channel for full sun, or explore more plants & wildlife. Swift current after heavy rains - About 3 miles Blazing: Red rectangle. Junctions with Parallel Trail, Overlook Trail, & Hiking Connector #3. Provides access to the beach, visitor center, RV-campground & cottages. A single-track trail, designed for foot-traffic only. Day-use parking near the beach area or visitor center. The name derived from an old Appalachian term for turtle. Easy - Paved (ADA-accessible) - About 1.5 miles Hiking Connector #1 Swift current after heavy rains - About 2 miles Flat Island Paddle Trail L ter Dog Creek Outer Loop Easy - Natural surface - About 1.2 miles Whale Tail Paddle Trail oo p This is a mixed-use trail for both hikers & equestrians (no bicycles permitted). Observe proper etiquette. Blazing: Black diamond. Gentle slopes. No bridges. Junctions with: Dog Creek Outer Loop (an external perimeter). Terrapin Cove (Hiking) p #2 Easy - Natural surface - About 0.7 miles Take a leisurely float around the cove from the kayak shack at the boat ramp. Explore the western part of the cove wetlands or fish in shaded areas. Easy - Natural surface - About 1 mile Dog Creek Outer Loop Cross the main channel of the Chattahoochee into a larger cove & B6 of the mighty river. explore another tributary Smooth water - About 1 mile 3 Dog Creek Inner Loop This is a mixed-use trail for both hikers & equestrians (no bicycles permitted). Observe proper etiquette. Blazing: Purple rectangle. Gentle slopes. No bridges. Junctions with: Dog Creek Outer Loop (an external perimeter). Blazing: White rectangle. Scenic overlook of a fern-laced creek & hardwood bottom land. Parking is available at the visitor center. It is also has swings located along the way. Beyond the paved portion, a set of rock steps connects to Terrapin Cove Trail. Cree k Ou Dog EQUESTRIAN TRAILS Easy - Natural surface - About 0.7 miles Lo o B7 n Orientation: Each bridge has a number. Use them as landmarks to stay oriented. On the map, look for this symbol: B# If you call for help, tell the Park Ranger where you are, relative to these bridge numbers. Emergencies / After-hours 678.465.7566 Dog Creek Inner Loop Smooth water - About 2 miles Dog Cove Paddle Trail B16 Ta U Conna ne tri a State Park an Cove Paddle Trail Lost PADDLE TRAILS Easy - Paved (ADA accessible) - Only a couple hundred yards long r Eques Don Carter Overlook Trail (Hiking) LONG HIKING TRAILS ct o e nn Co ail r T r ate W il 3 B9 u