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Audubon Beidler Forest
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Boardwalk Trail

Come walk where giants rest.
The Beidler boardwalk angles towards the right and then curves to the left. Trees covered in thick moss rise from the water next to it, devoid of leaves, a sign of winter.
The boardwalk in winter is dramatically different than its spring incarnation. Although you can see farther out without the leaves, the reflections from high water and occasional foggy mornings create a mystifying atmosphere. Photo: Richard Covey

A 1.75-mile self-guiding boardwalk trail allows visitors the chance to safely venture deep into the heart of the swamp...to experience the peace and serenity that have characterized the area for centuries...to hear the sounds of bird and bug and breeze that have echoed through the trees for ages...to take a relaxing and informative walk back into time...to see a swamp the way nature intended them to be! The boardwalk provides the opportunity to stroll past the 1000-year-old trees and native wildlife that abounds in this pristine sanctuary that has been untouched for millenia. This boardwalk trail is ADA compliant, with rest areas and rain shelters along the way. Click here for a virtual tour!

This trail has an eBird hotpsot! Check it out here.

Trail Guidelines:

  • The boardwalk is only open to the public during hours of operation, if the front gates are not open, it will be considered as trespassing
  • Please stay on the boardwalk at all times
  • Dispose of all trash properly
  • Supervise children at all times
  • To benefit all visitors, maintain respectful noise levels

The following are not permitted on the sanctuary:

  • Dogs, horses and other animals
  • Bicycles, ATVs and other vehicles
  • Drones
  • Smoking, vaping, alcohol or illegal substances
  • Hunting, firearms or other weapons of any type
  • Disturbing, feeding or handling wildlife
  • Scratching, cutting or damaging trees
  • Removing plants or digging into soil
  • Fires or burning for any reason
Photo: Richard Covey
The Beidler boardwalk angles around a large pine tree on the left. This part of the boardwalk is low, the ground is covered in pinestraw, leaves, sticks, and so on. The sunlight cuts through the forest, reflecting off multiple smooth leaves.
The first part of the boardwalk winds through bottomland hardwood forest, which will allow you see a variety of plants and animals that aren't found beyond in the swamp itself. Photo: Richard Covey
Guided Bird Tours
Visit

Guided Bird Tours

Check out our guided bird tour schedule and register for a program.

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Night Explorations
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Night Exploration Programs

Come learn how the other half lives. And by other half we mean nocturnal, of course.

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Wetlands
Conservation

Wetlands

When it comes to wetland conservation we're all about those watershed moments.

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Boardwalk Species

Prothonotary Warbler

Latin:  Protonotaria citrea

Illustration for Prothonotary Warbler

Barred Owl

Latin:  Strix varia

Illustration for Barred Owl

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Latin:  Nyctanassa violacea

Illustration for Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Carolina Wren

Latin:  Thryothorus ludovicianus

Illustration for Carolina Wren

Northern Parula

Latin:  Setophaga americana

Illustration for Northern Parula

Hooded Warbler

Latin:  Setophaga citrina

Illustration for Hooded Warbler

Red-eyed Vireo

Latin:  Vireo olivaceus

Illustration for Red-eyed Vireo

White-eyed Vireo

Latin:  Vireo griseus

Illustration for White-eyed Vireo

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