CARTERS LAKE

CARTERS LAKE

Carters Lake, originally the finest whitewater river of the Coosawattee River, has beautiful mountains scenery that encircles the deepest lake in Georgia in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Carters Lake sparkles like a jewel with mountain vistas that are breathtakingly beautiful. Carters Lake outdoor beauty provides the perfect background for mulitudes of lake recreational opportunities which include fishing, picnicking, boating, mountain biking, swimming and hiking.

CARTERS LAKE FACTS

Carters Lake, the deepest lake in Georgia, is more than 450 feet deep.

Carters Dam is the tallest earthen dam east of Mississippi River.

Carters Lake shoreline, with Army Corps of Engineers owning the lake border property, has no private docks or houses to take away from the pristine beauty of the natural shoreline.

Hike the Amadahy Trail, a 3.5 mile loop trail for beautiful views of the lake. Map

A map of Carters Lake and surrounding roads. Map.

Army Corps of Engineers Carters Lake website

SWIMMING CARTERS LAKE

Harris Branch is currently the only public beach located on Carters Lake. It is located off GA Hwy 382. Harris Branch is open from May 4, 2007 through Labor Day. There are no life guards at Carters Lake so swim at your own risk.

BOATING CARTERS LAKE

Carters Lake Marina and Boat Rentals link - houseboat and ponntoon boat rentals

HIKING CARTERS LAKE TRAILS

Carters Lake Amadahy Trail - a 3.5 mile loop with great views of Carters Lake and the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi. Be aware this is a multi-use trail and is also frequented by mountain bikers. To reach this trailhead take Hwy 282/76 west of Ellijay about 17 miles to the Woodring Branch Recreation Area sign on the left. Turn here and follow this road to the signed trailhead and parking.

Carters Lake Tumbling Waters Nature Trail - very easy 1.2 mile round trip hike featuring a narrow upper cove of Carters Lake, and the tumbling waterfalls of Tails Creek. After a brief walk stroll near the shore and through the woods, the trail splits left to a tall bridge over Tails Creek at one half mile. The bridge looks way down upon the cascades of the creek as it enters the lake. Continue across the bridge, follow the trail right for a quarter mile, to a deck near the creekside. Side trails lead along the cascading creek here. Be sureto spot the trail tree. Backtrack across the bridge and turn left, hiking another quarter mile, to another deck with a higher perspective of the cascades. Follow the trail back to the beginning trailhead. To reach the trailhead from Ellijay, take Hwy 76/282 west about ten miles to the Ridgeway Public Use sign at street on left. Follow this road to the right turn for the boat ramp. Keep going towards the boat ramp, the trailhead is well signed on the right.

Oak Ridge Nature Trail a 1.2 mile trail. From Ellijay, take U.S Highway 76 west to mile marker 6 Turn left on Woodring Branch Road and continue south. At the Y, bear right and continue down this road (still Woodring Branch Road). The first parking lot after the camping circle is the closest to the trailhead, marked by a large overhead sign on the right-hand side of the road.

Hidden Pond Songbird Trail a 1 mile trail in the Coosawattee Management area. Additional informtion.

Carters Lake Talking Rock Trail - a fairly easy to moderate hike with 2.6 miles roundtrip. The trail meanders through the woods near the dams of Carters Lake. The trail passes a small pond, its branch upstream, over a short ridge, to a small loop at trail's end to reverse course back to the beginning trailhead. Along the way are many signs with information regarding the surrounding nature. Nearby is the Lake's Visitors Center with exibits, information, short nature trail, and overlooks of the lake. To reach the trailhead from Ellijay take Old Hwy 5 4.3 miles south, turn right onto Hwy 382, follow this road 10 miles until its end at Hwy 136. Turn right, go 3.2 miles to turn right at Carters Lake Dam Visitors Center. The trailhead is on the left, on the road leading to Northbank Park.