Did you know South Carolina is home to the largest virgin stand of cypress-tupelo trees in the world? This means, of course, that it’s never been logged. You might be surprised to learn we’re not talking here about Congaree National Park, which boasts the largest stand of old-growth bottomland hardwoods in the country. Instead, we’re talking about the Francis Biedler Forest – and more specifically, the Audubon Center at Biedler Forest in Harleyville. Come along with us as we discover a little known, yet spectacular, ancient forest in South Carolina.

Biedler Forest is found in the middle of Four Holes Swamp.

Christian Holland It’s worthy to note that Four Holes Swamp is actually a river, but not an ordinary river. It’s more like a braided tangled web of channels that mix, start, stop, and flow into one another for 62 miles through South Carolina. And in its midst is the 18,000-acre Biedler Forest filled with ancient trees, including some of the oldest cypress and tupelo trees in the world estimated at between 1,000 and 1,500 years old.

Altogether, the forest is literally the largest virgin cypress-tupelo forest in the world — and it’s right here in the Palmetto State.

Facebook/Beidler Forest Audubon Center & Sanctuary

The best place to experience this old-growth forest is at the Audubon Center at Biedler Forest in Harleyville (just four miles off Interstate 26).

Facebook/Beidler Forest Audubon Center & Sanctuary

For a small entrance fee, you’ll get to wander the trails, check out the visitor center (gift shop, educational displays, and more), and explore the forest.

Facebook/Beidler Forest Audubon Center & Sanctuary Sign up for special events like canoe and kayak trips through the swamp, special night hikes, bird watching excursions, and private tours.

The wildlife in Four Holes Swamp is astounding. From reptiles to birds to mammals, the residents of the forest can be seen everywhere you turn.

Google/Kinsey Page

We’ve often pointed out how undiscovered the “other” virgin forest in South Carolina is (that’d be Congaree National Park), but Biedler Forest is even more of a hidden secret.

Google/Heather Biering Come explore it on foot. It’s easy to lose yourself for at least a couple of hours wandering along the boardwalk, which may be the longest one in the state. It’s 1.75 miles long!

Purchase tickets for the boardwalk, here and consider signing up for an annual membership to help support the Audubon’s efforts to oversee this national treasure.

Google/Charles Shoe

The Audubon Center at Biedler Forest is located four miles to the north of I-26 at the Harleyville exit.

Google Maps It couldn’t be any more conveniently located!

Check out the Audubon Center at Biedler Forest website for more information and plan a visit soon – before word gets out about this ancient forest in South Carolina! And be sure to check the website before you go to make sure the center and the forest are open to the public on the day you’re planning to go!

Christian Holland

It’s worthy to note that Four Holes Swamp is actually a river, but not an ordinary river. It’s more like a braided tangled web of channels that mix, start, stop, and flow into one another for 62 miles through South Carolina. And in its midst is the 18,000-acre Biedler Forest filled with ancient trees, including some of the oldest cypress and tupelo trees in the world estimated at between 1,000 and 1,500 years old.

Facebook/Beidler Forest Audubon Center & Sanctuary

Sign up for special events like canoe and kayak trips through the swamp, special night hikes, bird watching excursions, and private tours.

Google/Kinsey Page

Google/Heather Biering

Come explore it on foot. It’s easy to lose yourself for at least a couple of hours wandering along the boardwalk, which may be the longest one in the state. It’s 1.75 miles long!

Google/Charles Shoe

Google Maps

It couldn’t be any more conveniently located!

If you plan your day just right, you could probably scoot on over to Congaree National Park on the same day as your visit to the Audubon Center at Biedler. They are only an hour apart!

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Address: Audubon Center at Beidler Forest, 336 Sanctuary Rd, Harleyville, SC 29448, USA