Explore Audubon Center at Beidler Forest

Visit our boardwalk, trails and visitors center.
1,800
Acres of Original Growth Forest
18,000
Acres Preserved
1.75
Miles of Boardwalk

Audubon's Francis Beidler Forest is 18,300-acre preserve located between Columbia and Charleston in South Carolina. Within this preserve is a habitat unique to Earth—approximately 1,800 acres of original-growth, cypress-tupelo swamp. Visitors to Beidler Forest can stand beside and even touch Bald Cypress trees that are some of the oldest living organisms in the eastern United States. This ancient ecosystem is accessible via a 1.75-mile, ADA-accessible boardwalk, the longest such boardwalk in South Carolina. Visitors can explore the boardwalk on their own or join one of the many guided programs offered throughout the year. Between searching for the abundant wildlife that lives in this landscape, to learning about Audubon's work on the sanctuary (and across the hemisphere), to experiencing the natural and cultural history of the land, there is something for everyone at Audubon's Francis Beidler Forest.

Programs and Experiences

Beidler Forest offers year round guided experiences through the sanctuary that offer unique views and insights about this ancient forest. From birding, plant, and snake tours, to Firefly nights and Night Explorations, there is something for every age group. Our ADA boardwalk and amenities make this beautiful landscape accessible for everyone.

A dark forest with little glowing yellow dots that are fireflies
Firefly Nights
A glowing green millipede crawls on a glowing purple log
Night Exploration
A yellow bird sits on a cypress knee while the other is inside sitting on a nest
Boardwalk Tour
Children gaze in wonder up at the forest canopy
Second Saturday
A man sits in a kayak in a dense forest on calm water
Kayak Trips

Photos from left: Sydney Walsh/Audubon; Richard Covey; Prothonotary Warblers, Donald Wuori/Audubon Photography Awards; Camilla Cerea/Audubon; Jen Tyrrell