Carters Lake — Attraction in Ranger

This is a really nice area but there some short comings. Before you go pick which entry point you want to go wisely. The boat ramps are in different areas and CAN NOT be accessed by just driving around the lake. If you don't like the ramp and or swimming area you are at you will literally have to leave the park go back to main road and drive around to new park entry point. This will not be a short drive. The lake itself is very nice and all forms of watercraft are allowed. This brings me to next issue. Too much trash in the lake. With the number of people that are on the water trash in the water pretty bad. Sadly the trails around the lake I took to do some fishing are much the same. Napkins, food bags, empty water bottles were everywhere. I stand on the rule if you carry it in carry it out. Wish more people would do this small thing. The Park Ranger I talked to was really nice and gave some insights on which boat ramp was sketchy because of locals. All in all nice place just too many people...

I have been to Carter's lake many, many times. This lake is fairly clean and not the most crowded lake i've ever been. It's a great place for swimming and boating. Kayaking can also be nice there but the ramps can get very busy and folks get very pushy if you don't get your stuff together and go practically immediately. All that being said, I would NOT recommend camping here. The very first time we camped here was fantastic! We kayaked to one of the boat in only sites and it was great. it was right on the water and there was also a port a potty that was stocked with toilet paper just a short walk away. Every time we have camped there after has been a nightmare...lots of drunk yelling people. Someone was setting off fireworks around 2 in the morning at one of the sights close to us last time and it nearly gave me a heart attack. If you do want to try camping there i'd definitely suggest going early or late...

I have visited Carters Lake since the dam was first built when I was a child and it has always been such a beautiful, peaceful place. However, I was disappointed on my recent visit. The visitor center area had a lot of overgrown weeds and they had let the trees grow up in areas where you couldn't even see the views any more. We used to help maintain the area by cutting small trees, refreshing the mulch, etc., when we were younger and camping there; but it looks like maintenance has gone downhill recently. One side of the reregulation dam area was closed and they had let the buildings fall in and the grass grow up everywhere. Even the side that was open had table shelters that were on the verge of collapsing. Just another example of what's happening on the federal level here in...