Imagine paddling through gently-flowing blackwater under towering 1,000-year-old cypress trees as a naturalist safely leads you deep into the heart of an old-growth forest. That’s the experience on a Beidler Forest kayak trip. You’ll treasure this unique view of the swamp for the rest of your life!

2025 Kayak Schedule:

We are pleased to offer six kayak trips at Beidler Forest in Spring 2025. All trips are guided by expert volunteers from the Edisto River Canoe & Kayak Commission and will take place on Saturday mornings. All paddling trips at Beidler Forest require advanced registration.

The trip dates will be: 

• Saturday, March 29th
• Saturday, April 19th
• Saturday, May 17th

Kayak Trip Pricing:

• Youth & Adults (ages 12 and up) - $60.00 (4-hours)
• Note: this program is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

At this time, we are not organizing private, guided kayak trips for specific groups.

Details, Itinerary, and Other Information

Trip Length & Itinerary: Kayak trips generally last four hours, though note that you will not be on the water this entire time. Trip participants meet their guide(s) at the scheduled start time in Beidler Forest Visitor Center to sign-in, fill out liability waivers, and go through a trip itinerary. After this, participants will caravan to the launch point approximately four miles away. Once participants reach the launch point, our guides will provide a paddling overview and safety instructions, after which guides will assign each participant to a boat (yes, each boat has a bird-themed name) and the kayak trip will begin. Approximate time on the water is three hours. PLEASE NOTE: the access road for our boat launch can be muddy depending on recent weather conditions; please be advised and prepare accordingly. Also, there are no restrooms available other than in the visitor center, so please prepare for a "loo with a view" if you need a restroom during the tour!

Reservations Required: Seasonal trips must be reserved online at least 24 hours in advance. Follow this link to make your reservation today. We suggest that you sign up early - our canoe trips are very popular attractions, so they fill up fast! You can also fill out our Kayak Trip Interest Form so that you'll be the first to know about upcoming trips. Call 843-462-2150 or email beidler@audubon.org with any questions.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees for kayak trips are non-refundable. However, if we decide to cancel the trip due to inclement weather, you will be fully reimbursed, and we will notify you by the Friday afternoon before the trip. 

Availability: Because Beidler Forest is a swamp that fills up only from rainfall, kayak trips are subject to existing weather conditions. We do have times of the year in which the water is too low to safely (and enjoyably) kayak. Based on historic data, trip conditions become increasingly unlikely from June through November. However, if the swamp fills up during these months and we’re able to offer additional trips, we will post updated information on this page and our social media channels. 

Equipment: We will provide enough single-person kayaks for the entire group. We do have one two-person kayak and two-person canoes, though those are only used in rare circumstances. What boats are used depends on the number of participants and will be determined by the guide on the day of your tour. We also provide life vests and paddles, which are included in your trip registration fee.

Your Own Equipment: We recommend that you use the equipment that we provide. However, if you would like to bring your own boat, we do require you to be able to transport it atop your vehicle (NOT on a pull-behind trailer). Please bring only a standard-length kayak – NO sea kayaks, inflatable boats, or boats with rudders (unless you want to become more acquainted with every cypress knee and fallen tree in the swamp!).

Experience: We recommend that you arrive with some kayaking/canoeing experience. Our trips require you to maneuver between cypress knees, through narrow creek channels, and navigate around POISON IVY. Having kayaked before is a helpful (but not absolutely necessary) prerequisite for our trips.

Clothing & Shoes: Bring clothing appropriate for the day's weather conditions. Wear shoes that can get wet, and keep in mind that paddles can dribble water onto your lap. Binoculars and cameras are welcome. A waterproof bag is recommended since there's no guarantee that you’ll be dry the entire trip. 

Outdoor Gear: Binoculars and cameras are welcome! A waterproof bag is recommended since there's no guarantee that you’ll be dry the entire trip.

Food & Drink: We suggest planning to eat before or after your trip. While we do pause at several places along the trail, we do not exit boats to eat lunch. Bringing snacks along to munch during a pause is a great idea, and we definitely recommend bringing plenty of water. 

No: Alcoholic beverages, firearms, or pets allowed.