Don Carter State Park

Too many rednecks using the primitive camping spots up partying past 2 a.m. with drunken yelling, metal pots banging, etc. Maybe having the lake there really brings the trash in.

Pros: The park is new and clean (nice bathroom/​shower facilities), friendly staff, nice store, well maintained campsites.
Cons: You’ll be up all night listening to trains (and their horns)…maybe this isn’t as bad for those in campers/​RVs, but it was pretty loud from inside our tents! No grass on RV sites.

I have never been to a park with such amazing people that work there! Sandy at the front desk was so nice and sweet! Johnny was so helpful and super funny! I can’t wait to go back during the Spring and try out their beach. Camping for me and my fam was a joy!

I didn’t spend much time here, so take that into consideration when weighing my review, which really is only for the short hiking trail starting at the visitor center (the Terrapin Cove trail).
Don Carter State Park is not a hiking destination by any stretch of the imagination. It caters much more to RVs, camping, kayaking the lake, enjoying the beach or staying in a cottage. But there is a short trail running from the visitor center to the lake. The first section is paved and is referred to as the Overlook trail. It ends with a couple of nice swings where you can sit and enjoy the trees. You can’t really see the lake from the swings.
Onward is by dirt trail and it is an easy one. Shortly after leaving the Overlook, you’ll come to a split going either to the beach or the campground/​cottages. This is the Terrapin Cove trail. The beach trail to the left is short. To right are the campground/​cottages and is a bit longer, ending up at a small boat dock.
The trail is nice if you’re staying at the park in an RV or cottage, but it really isn’t worth the trouble on its own. You can get a good view of the beach across the water, though.
Consider visiting Don Carter State Park for the other amenities, not for hiking.

I love this park!!! I live 10 min away so we are always there, fishing, camping, swimming, kayaking.

Loved how peaceful and quiet. Rangers are helpful and nice, the park is clean and well maintained. No sewer but has cable.

Loved walking around the paved walking areas and hiking the unpaved trails. Quiet, serene. The beach with white sand looks nice for warmer weather.

Exceeded my expectations! Went this past weekend with some friends. The cabin was nothing short of outstanding. Beautifully appointed with gracious bedrooms and a large living/​dining area. Hardwoods in common areas and carpet in the bedrooms. The back deck was super, and the view was serene.
Outdoor fire out and cooking area close to the back porch. The kitchen had everything we could have needed. The property was immaculately kept. The one two cons are parking and water pressure. There are two spots in front of the cabins, over flow is down the hill. (People parked were ever, regardless of the unit number) the water pressure in the shower was a joke. But seriously I can not fault them a star. 5,5,5,5 ’cause it was so nicely out together. I’ll be back several times!

Rented a picnic shelter for a family outing on a Saturday. It was great! The park is very clean, and well kept, and still very new. The shelter reservation worked very well, and is a great value. Has a grill, water and electricity available. Had several small children who really enjoyed the beach.
Park rangers were very attentive and courteous. A ranger stopped by our shelter just to make sure everything was good and that we were the party that had reserved the shelter, rather than a group who just came in and used it without a reservation.
Already planning our next visit!

LOVE LOVE LOVE — FANTASTIC STAY IN LUXARY COTTAGE with VERY REASONABLE RATES. Gorgeous cottage with beautiful stunning views of the lake water. Love the deck with the rocking chairs it’s like we were in a treehouse surrounded by the colors of fall overlooking the lake. Everything was well appointed love the color and décor of the cabins. It’s cabining not camping. Had a wonderful full kitchen with dishes pots pans baking pans, cutlery utensils dishwasher microwave coffee maker toaster. 2 bedrooms with 2 baths can accommodate 8people in the cabin They supplied all bed sheets towels everything you need. Only a couple of things — no maid service and no shampoo. Outside each cabin has a fire ring, BBQ grill, picnic table and place to hang your lantern. There was even a small playground with a couple of climbing structures for the kids in the middle of loop/​cluster of cottages. We made a fire with wood we bought at the Visitor Center (friendly staff n store there had Light snacks chips candy and stuff to make s’mores but we had brought our own.) All in all just a LOVELY STAY and VERY RELAXING N PEACEFUL
The park also has RV hook ups which we saw a lot of people doing. The RV hook up sites looked good too with water and electric outlet plug in but like lot of people mentioned they were close together. You are literally next to your neighbor. I think once the trees grow in they’ll be more privacy. I don’t think they have primitive campground sites yet but are working to put those in shortly. At the park they have hiking trails, paved trail for walking or biking, a man made white sandy beach for swimming which was very clean and so beautiful with porch swings, boat ramp, fishing pier and even a fish cleaning station. We went fishing but didn’t catch anything but it was colder, late in the season & late in the day. Just an all out beautiful clean well thought out state park. We’ll definitely be back!!! RECOMMEND VERY HIGHLY!!!