Day-Use Parks

Come enjoy a variety of recreation activities while visiting Carters Lake day-use areas. Carters Lake has eight day-use areas including Woodring Branch, Doll Mountain, Harris Branch, Ridgeway, N&S Re-regulation Areas, North Bank, Damsite, and Visitor Center.

Harris Branch Park has a public beach open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Use caution when swimming there are no lifeguards at Harris Branch.  No pets or alcohol are permitted at Harris Branch beach.

Northbank Park has an open astronomy field for the use of viewing and photographic equipment during the evening and daytime. The field offers open views from east to west – north to south approximately 25-30 degrees in altitude from the horizon. The field is used for astronomy programs and has several interpretive panels educating on various astronomical topics.

A $5.00 per vehicle use fee is charged at most day-use areas at Carters Lake. Fees must be paid by credit / debit card only at the automated fee machines located in each fee park. Visitors may also purchase an annual pass that allows vehicles to gain access to all U.S Army Corps of Engineers day-use areas. Annual pass vouchers may be purchased at any fee machine and then traded in for an annual pass with volunteer park hosts at Damsite or Harris Branch Beach when in operation. Additionally, they may be traded in via mail or at the nature center when in operation. 

There are five group picnic shelters available at Carters Lake that may be reserved. The reservation fees are $30.00 for small shelters and $50.00 for large shelters. Each shelter has a large grill. Each shelter has a large grill. Shelters may be reserved by going to recreation.gov.

 Shelter   Location Reserve Fee Picnic Tables Electricity Boat Ramp Drinking Water Play Area Handicap Access Toilet
 Northbank   Small $30 6 yes no yes yes yes yes
 Northbank
 Large
$50 12 yes no yes yes yes yes
 Damsite Free (First Come-First Serve) 6 no yes yes no yes yes
 Woodring   Branch $30 6 no yes no no no yes
 Doll   Mountain $50 8 yes yes yes no yes yes
 Re-reg Dam $50 12 no no no no yes yes

 

* North Re-reg Park closed.  No estimate on reopening at this time.

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