Grassland-Woodland Trails at Beidler Forest

Grassland-Woodland Trails at Beidler Forest
336 Sanctuary Road #3324, Harleyville, SC 29448
Dorchester County
Trip Leader: Kim McManus

Located in the old-growth portion of Four Holes Swamp near Harleyville, SC, the Beidler Forest Audubon Center and Sanctuary was purchased by the Audubon Society in 1969 and opened to the public in 1977. At almost 18,000 acres, it is the second-largest wildlife sanctuary operated by Audubon. Nearly 1,700 acres is old-growth cypress and tupelo forest, with many trees being over 1,000 years old. It is the largest remaining virgin stand in the world.

The 1.75-mile boardwalk through the swamp has been open for several years. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, access to the boardwalk is limited to those with reservations. Instead, we’ll be exploring the brand-new Grassland-Woodland Trails.

Opened in September 2020, the new addition boasts just over 2 miles of trails that meander through Longleaf Pine, grassland and woodland habitats. The grassland trail has recently been burned, but Jenny McCarthey Tyrrell with SC Audubon assures me there’s still lots to see.

For a visual overview, check out this lovely video on the SC Audubon site:
https://sc.audubon.org/beidler-forest/new-grassland-woodland-trails-beidler-forest

Directions:
From Charleston or Points East
• Take I-26 WEST to Exit 187.
• Turn left onto Highway 27 (south) to Highway 78.
• Turn right onto Highway 78 (west).
• At the fork, veer right onto Highway 178.
• Turn right onto Francis Beidler Forest Road (first paved right).
• After four miles, the road will make a 90-degree turn to the left.
• Instead of following that turn, veer right onto Mims Road.
• The Center is one mile ahead on the right.

From I-95, Columbia, or Points West
• Take I-26 EAST to Exit 177.
• Make a right turn onto Highway 453 (South) to Highway 178.
• Make a left turn onto Highway 178 (East).
• Go through the town of Harleyville.
• Six miles later, turn left onto Francis Beidler Forest Road.
• After four miles, the road will make a 90-degree turn to the left.
• Instead of following that turn, veer right onto Mims Road.
• The Center is one mile ahead on the right.
Important Note From Beidler Forest:
Remember, your GPS just might take you on a different route than our signs. Either way will get you here. Your GPS might also tell you that you’ve arrived when you’re only halfway down our forested road. Just keep going!

Dinner:
Duke’s BBQ
118 N Railroad Ave
Ridgeville, SC 29472
(843) 871-6507

From Beidler Forest:
• Turn Left on Mims Road. Go 1.2 miles
• Turn Left onto Beidler Forest Road / County Road S-18-28. Go 4.1 miles.
• Turn Left onto US-178 E. Go 0.6 miles
• Turn Right onto SC 27 S. Go 1.6 miles
• Turn Right onto N Railroad Ave
• Restaurant is on the right.