francis beidler forest

francis beidler forest印象

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  travelwithdog08

  We visited the Francis Beidler forest on our way home from Charleston last weekend. The scenery was beautiful and the walk was very pleasant. I especially enjoyed the lake area. My only disappointment was that we visited during a time when construction was being done. The equipment that was being used made a lot of noise and it is my feeling that we did not see much wildlife because of this (we saw a turtle, a deer, and some spiders- nothing we couldn't have seen at home). I don't mean for that to sound like it's a bad review because we did very much enjoy ourselves just seeing the scenery. I would of liked to of seen more wildlife though. My recommendation would be to call ahead and see if construction is being done on the day you visit. I believe you'd have a much greater chance of seeing wildlife if it isn't.

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  JackMor11

  I was glad that I was in a rental car going to the Beidler Forest. There is a long, narrow, unpaved driveway getting to the visitor's center. If anything was coming the other way somebody would have to have reversed half a mile without going in the ditch. But once you are there, it is a very scenic place. The boardwalk around the grounds makes everything very accessible. There is plenty of varied wildlife, especially birds including some woodpeckers who loved posing for the crowds. There were claims of snakes and alligators but I'm glad to say I didn't encounter either of them.

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  fanrou007

  Quite close to Charleston only 40 minutes drive. They have a good round walking trail 1.75-mile with points of interest. This self-guided tour along the 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. We have seen lots of deers and turtles. Attention, no pets and it is closed on Mondays. Audubon Center & Sanctuary at Francis Beidler Forest 336 Sanctuary Road Harleyville, SC 29448 Phone: 843-462-2150 Fax: 843-462-2713

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  CharlestonResident

  * If you enjoy the outdoors, places untouched by man (as little as possible), and science/nature, then this will be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Possibly other planets, too. I would also camp here, or bring your camper, if you are apt to do so. I would also eat at Just Desserts in Harleyville, not to far away. If you complain about the drive, it's actually not to bad and within 10 minutes or so from the interstate. Something this untouched and quiet isn't going to be in the middle of Atlanta or Cleveland. It's a swamp.

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  lifetravelernow

  We visited Beidler Forest when in the Charleston area on the recommendation of a friend who had been there with a school group. What an amazingly interesting Audubon site filled with natural history all around as you walk the 1.75 mile boardwalk through the wonderful cyprus swamp. When you arrive at the visitor center to pay for your entrance to the boardwalk ($10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors), you can pick up a laminated ringed booklet that let's you self tour the swamp along a well made boardwalk. Each page of the booklet is numbered to match a point along the boardwalk which gives you interesting information about some detail of the swamp in that area. The booklet is very well done, giving enough information without being overly detailed. If you don't want to use the booklet, each numbered stop along the walk has a board with some general information about that point on the route. At the farthest point on the boardwalk, you come to a small lake with a raised overlook. Being there in the winter season obviously gave us a different perspective from the other seasons, but we actually loved being able to see distances through the trees and reflections on the water, especially with all the "knees" that you see along the way. Over-all, a very quiet, reflective reminder of the majesty of nature.

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  travelbugs920

  We went to the Charleston area over the Thanksgiving holiday and took a short (longer than expected) trip to the Francis Biedler Forest Audubon Sanctuary (FBFAS). We spend about 2 hours here- walking, birding and learning. We are nature lovers and travelers who enjoy finding off the beaten path areas to explore. We appreciate nature in our world and enjoy learning about and seeing it unspoiled. So, with high hopes we headed to FBF Audubon Sanctuary from our coastal vacation room. It was about an hours drive from the Charleston area- not too bad-- and the staff (lady who greeted us) was incredibly helpful and kind. But the boardwalk is almost 2 miles through just a cypress swamp. Don't get me wrong- I am SO glad that the area is protected and preserved and the 1,000 year old trees are incredible. It should also be noted...we love cypress swamps! But it was almost 2 miles of the exact same habitat. The boardwalk didn't meander through different habitats although It did end with a bit of forest- without swamp, but we spent a good portion of our day in the same habitat. IS that a bad thing? NOT necessarily! If you have never seen a cyprus swamp, or even if you just are looking for a 2 mile quiet walk this could be the place for you. If you live near by, I imagine finding the prothonotary warblers nesting in the cypress knees would be thriling! And having a place like this near by to find some serenity and enjoy quiet moments would be great! However, I wouldn't recommend making a special trip out here unless it's your only opportunity to see a cyprus swamp. We have been to Corkscrew in FL and absolutely loved it! We also enjoyed a short walk through Woods Bay State Park (SC). Which is about an 1hour and 20 minutes from FBFAS and 2 hours from Charleston. No gift shop there though...We tried really hard to love this place, and spent more time here than we should have because we wanted to love it...we just didn't it.

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  OK2BU2

  Not to be confused with the 'Audubon' Swamp Garden at a nearby Charleston plantation, this is the REAL deal when it comes to Audubon facilities and nature walks in general. With 1.75 miles of newly refurbished boardwalk that meanders through 1,000+ year old old growth cypress, Beidler forest was originally established to preserve 1,800 acres of old-growth swamp forest, one of only two stands still left in the state. The staff is immensely helpful; providing interpretive information, map, and where visitors might, if fortunate, get to see some of the local inhabitants. As with any wilderness area there are no guarantees, but this is what keeps a treasure like this pristine and pure. Take the time to visit, take it slow, look around you, and enjoy nature as it was meant to be seen.

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  beachbirder

  About 40 minutes from Charleston, SC a drive here is well worth it. An enchanting walk on a boardwalk through deep old growth forest brings you into another world. Huge bald cypress trees, one over 1100 years old, nestled between swamp oak and black gum trees sit in gently flowing shallow waters transitioning to dry land. It is unlike any other habitat that I have experienced, raw natural beauty and peacefulness at its finest. A world class place for nature photography and nature observation. Touch and feel station and activities for children.

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  blynnhun

  We saw the sign for this place off of interstate 26. Never heard of the place we had no idea what to exspect. Once arriving, which a very nice drive with lots of horse pastures, we paid for admission. Which was 8 dollars per adult and 4 for children 6-12. They have nice selection on suvolnors and unique nature items for purchase. They have a few hands on things in there as well as two snakes. Which my 7 year old thought was really cool. The boardwalk was a 1.75 mile walk threw the swamp. It was really nice but we only saw two birds and no other wild life. Which was a little disappointment. But they have an awesome tree that you can (if small enough) get in and see all the way to the too. We all thought that was awesome. The attendant at the front deal was very informative on when to visit to see more wildlife. We will be coming back here in the spring.

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  This place is amazing. They have an elevated boardwalk, which is really nice. I will def be trying out one of their night walks.