The visitor center is accessed via a one-mile-long gravel driveway. Our parking lot is a one-way loop, and it includes 50+ gravel parking spots for small vehicles and 6 parking spots for buses and RVs. We have two handicap parking spots located in from front of the center. A slightly elevated concrete path leads from these two spaces to a ramp that then leads up to the center’s entrance. There are two entrance doors into the center; at present, neither open automatically.
We have a number of picnic tables scattered throughout our parking lot. Most are accessed via dirt paths off of our gravel parking area and width of these trails varies greatly. The back porch of the visitor center has bench seating that is easier to access, but no tables.
The visitors center has seasonal displays, art and photography on display, places to sit and rest, a conference room, and an incredible gift shop. Just outside the window is our aviary where our ambassador Blue Jay greets guests. We have a water fountain to refill water bottles near the accessible bathrooms. The gift shop is full of very unique nature themed gifts.
There’s plenty of room in the center to move around as staff ensure to leave avenues open between furniture and gift shop displays when possible. There are a few transition areas on the ground that are approximately 1/2 inch tall. These are located at our front and back entrances, as well as one in the middle of the visitor center where tile transitions to vinyl flooring.
Our 1.75-mile boardwalk is ADA accessible. This boardwalk takes you through the ancient Cypress-Tupelo forest. It takes most guests 1.5 - 2 hours to complete depending on the group. Typical sightings include: Deer, Barred Owls, Snakes, Turtles, River Otters, and many songbird species like the Prothonotary Warbler. The boardwalk is stroller friendly. Its width is five feet wide or wider for the entire length. It is on average elevated a 1 to 6 feet above the ground and is mostly level, except for the front and back ramps.
The handrail is 2.8 feet high from the deck. There are three mid-rails along most of the boardwalk, but we maintain an 8 inch gap between the last mid-rail and the handrail. Interpretive signage found along the boardwalk can be viewed from above or below the handrail.
There are two large covered shelters and six additional smaller covered rest shelters with seating along the boardwalk. No rest shelter is more than 1000' (or 1/5 of a mile) from another.
Staff regularly check the boardwalk and remove downed sticks, leaves, and other debris. While the decking is flat, there may be a few boards that are raised slightly higher than others, especially where the boardwalk turns.
We want your time on the boardwalk to be enjoyable and comfortable. Along the 1.75-mile elevated boardwalk, you'll find numerous spots to pause, enjoy the view, and take a break. Rest areas include benches and rain shelters, as well as benches outside of the visitor center on the back deck before.
Rest locations: #3, #4 (Meeting Tree), #6, #7, #9, #11 (plus the offshoot to the lake), #12, #15, #17, and #20.
This trail is not ADA accessible. It involves a combination of dirt paths that may be uneven depending on the season. It is occasionally disced for prescribed burns, which means that the path is basically shredded to reduce plant growth in order to create a barrier that fire cannot cross outside of the intended burn area. The other half of the trail consists of a winding path through the woods that is usually 2 to 3 feet wide with roots and other elements along it. There are also numerous bridges (which you don’t have to use to do most of the trail) that require a step up and down to cross.
These trails are great locations to observe Painted Buntings, Yellow-breasted Chats, Indigo Buntings, Swallow-tailed Kites, Eastern Bluebirds, and Blue Grosebeaks.
Individual Admission:
Second Saturdays of the month are FREE ADMISSION!
Would you like a discount?
If you purchase your tickets 24 hours in advance using our ticket registration page you get a $1 discount on each ticket!
Group Rates
Adult groups of 12 or more who purchase tickets together get a $2 discount per ticket!
If you are a Beidler annual pass-holder and would like to make a reservation, please reach out to staff at beidler@audubon.org or call us at 843-487-9988.
If you would like to become a Beidler annual pass-holder, and support your favorite swamp, please click here to purchase an annual pass.
Closed on select holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If you want to visit on another holiday, please call in advance to make sure we’re open: 843-487-9988.
The visitor center, restrooms and boardwalk are all wheelchair accessible. One electric and one traditional wheelchair are available to borrow.
No pets, please. (Sorry — we love them too.)
When visiting Francis Beidler Forest we have two experience options. The first is our world-class 1.75 mile boardwalk that meanders between ancient Cypress trees giving you unprecedented views of a landscape that remained unchanged for over 1000 years. To access the boardwalk, check in at the visitor's center and embark on your journey into the past. It takes most groups about 2 hours to do the entire loop. We recommend bringing water and using the bathroom facilities before you leave since there aren't any on the boardwalk. You can borrow binoculars from the front desk and ask about recent sightings. This boardwalk is wheelchair and stroller friendly with benches all along the way.
Our Grassland and Woodland trails offer a completely different experience and set of habitats than our boardwalk. These trails are open dawn to dusk 7 days a week. Hikers will meander through grassland and Longleaf Pine restoration and young early successional woodlands. The habitats here offer looks at birds like Eastern Bluebirds, Painted Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Prairie Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chats, and the occasional flyover by Mississippi and Swallow-tailed Kites.
While you're enjoying the boardwalk, make sure to stop by the gift shop on your way out for the unique and niche gift items for that "one" friend or family member who does not subscribe to the mainstream interests. Our store has locally made items, and very niche and hard to find nature themed gifts, as well as Beidler Forest merch. Don't be caught on the birding trails without your Beidler flare!
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