Francis Beidler Forest

Audubon Center and Sanctuary

Photo: David Ramage

Under Renovations

Out visitor center is currently being renovated. This means we will be closed on some days we normally would be open. Below are the current days in which our grounds (the boardwalk, visitor center, visitor center parking lot, and driveway) will NOT be open to the public.

Friday, December 1st Closed all day
Friday, December 22nd Closed all day
Saturday, December 23rd Closed all day
Saturday, December 24th Closed all day

The only thing that will still be open will be the grassland/woodland trail and its parking lot which is just outside and next to our gate.

Quick Swamp Notes

Information about our center and trails is located here. For more information check our Visit, Program, and our Bird FAQ. Online registration for tickets is available but not required. Walk-ins welcome, we just ask that you arrive by 2 pm so you have plenty of time to enjoy the boardwalk. To purchase your tickets online click here!

Quick Swamp Notes  
Center Address 336 Sanctuary Road, Harleyville SC, 29448
Hours of Operation (Center & Boardwalk) Fri, Sat, & Sun 9AM-4PM (gate closes after 4PM)
Hours of Operation (Grassland/Woodland Trail) Seven days a week, sunrise to sunset
Center Phone 843-462-2150
Do you allow pets on your trails? No (we do allow registered service animals)
Do you allow bikes on your trails? No
Do you allow strollers on your trails? Yes
Are your trails ADA accessible? Boardwalk: Yes | Grassland/woodland trail: No
Is preregistration for tickets required? Only for programs, not general admission

If you would like to become a Beidler annual pass-holder, and support your favorite swamp, please click here to purchase an annual pass. 
 
If you are unable to register for a walk on our boardwalk, consider visiting the new Grasslands-Woodland Trails near the entrance to the center! Open everyday from sunrise to sunset and no admissions or reservations are required, although online donations are always appreciated.  

Stay in touch and subscribe to receive our eNewsletter and other updates from Beidler! We also invite you to visit our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and virtual education opportunities.  

Photo: Richard Covey

Feel the beauty and serenity of this ancient forest . . .

Frequented by photographers and nature lovers from all over the world, our 18,000-acre bird and wildlife sanctuary offers a beauty unsurpassed in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Beidler is the world’s largest old-growth cypress-tupelo swamp forest — a vibrant ecosystem untouched for millennia. Enjoy thousand-year-old trees, a range of wildlife, and the quiet flow of blackwater, all from the safety of our 1.75-mile boardwalk.

Visit
Visit

Visit

Looking to get swamped? Find directions, programs descriptions, and more here.

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Birds
Birds

Birds

In case you hadn't heard... they're kind of a big deal.

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Conservation
Conservation

Conservation

We are actively working to restore native habitats of South Carolina. Check out our work!

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Events

Events List

Sign up for upcoming events at Francis Beidler Forest.

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News

News

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Support Us

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