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Francis Beidler Forest

WELCOME TO BEIDLER FOREST...

© Mark Musselman

When you've looked at all that the website has to offer, make a date to come out to the swamp and VISIT US! The wildlife, the ancient trees, the quiet flow of blackwater as it meanders through the swamp, they all await you on your trip to Beidler Forest.

Located in the heart of the South Carolina low-country between Columbia and Charleston, Four Holes Swamp is a 45,000-acre matrix of black water sloughs and lakes, shallow bottomland hardwoods, and deep Bald cypress and Tupelo Gum flats. Four Holes Swamp is a major tributary of the Edisto River. Over 15,000 of those acres are owned by the National Audubon Society and make up what is known as the Francis Beidler Forest. The Beidler Forest is located just north of I-26 outside the town of Harleyville, SC and can be accessed from either I-26 west or east. The visitor center is open 9am - 5pm, Tuesday - Sunday (closed Mondays and some holidays). No pets, please.

The Beidler Forest was originally established to preserve 1,800 acres of old-growth swamp forest, one of only two stands of old-growth still left in the state. Most of the huge Bald cypress in this part of the swamp are in the neighborhood of 1,000 years old. The oldest known tree on the sanctuary clocked in at 1,500 years old! A visitor center, 1.75-mile boardwalk trail, several miles of hiking potential on old logging roads, and a canoe trail on which guided trips are led, provide visitors the chance to explore deep into the swamp’s interior. The visitor center, restrooms and boardwalk are all wheelchair accessible. One electric and one traditional wheelchair are available to borrow.

Take the time to learn more about our dedication to habitat preservation and ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION; including the citizen-science opportunities with Project PROTHO. The staff at Beidler Forest foster community involvement through a variety of ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS offered throughout the year. Additionally, we host three one-week-long SUMMER CAMPS that focus on a different theme each year. Visit our blog to see what is happening and what has been seen in the swamp.

Even if you are unable to visit the old-growth forest, you can help protect it by participating in Pennies for the Planet and spreading the word! Details can be found here.

The 2009 Audubon South Carolina Nature Photography Contest will run between March 15st and August 15th. The winning images from the 2007 contest can be seen here, and the 2008 contest can be seen here.

Do you have mitigation requirements? Check out our brochure for the Francis Beidler Forest Mitigation Bank.

To check today's weather at Beidler Forest, or to plan ahead for a visit, check our local weather forecast here.