in the unique light and shadow
patterns of a Carolina moon.
The stately Meeting Tree presides
over an educational area with
Cypress Gardens’
built-in benches that can comfort-
Butterfly House
ably seat up to 40 people. It is
Visitors may row themselves also a favorite spot for visitors to
through the swamp in flat-bottomed
Red shouldered hawk
gather and simply relax, reflect and
boats or join in larger groups and be
Francis Beidler Forest
enjoy nature’s beauty. The Outdoor
rowed across the mirrored surface of Classroom seats more than 50 and
the water, between towering cypress FRANCIS BEIDLER is an ideal spot for meetings and
trees, by a staff naturalist. FOREST lunches because it includes ceiling
Back on land, a favorite attraction Whether you’re on a self-guided na- fans, lights, running water and a
Get Out
is the Butterfly House. Resembling a ture walk along the nearly two-mile- storage area for catering.
cross between a barn and a greenhouse, long boardwalk through the virgin, The Outdoor Classroom and the
this specially constructed facility old-growth portion of the pristine Visitors Center may also be used in
provides a perfect habitat for scores of Four Holes Swamp or in a group conjunction with outdoor weddings,
species of native butterflies and their learning the wonders of this spectac- which have become increasingly
host plants. Spend a little extra time in ular black-water swamp alongside a popular functions at the Forest.
and Play
this quiet environment, and you’ll be trained naturalist, the Francis Beidler Additional information on fees,
surprised how many different types of Forest is an experience that never dis- hours and special events at Francis
butterfly you will see. Some 78 species appoints. This 12,500-acre wildlife Beidler Forest can be found at www.
have been reported on the grounds sanctuary, located off Interstate 26 BeidlerForest.com or by calling
of the park, and, although not all of just 20 miles from Summerville, is a (843) 462-2150.
these will be present at any one time, window in time looking back to the
the variety of these colorful and fragile primitive Carolinas.
lepidopterons is always amazing. The Forest is owned and oper-
To move from creatures of the air ated by the prestigious Audubon
to creatures of the water, visit the Society, which manages significant
Freshwater Aquarium and Reptile bird habitats in South Carolina and
Center. The 24,000-gallon aquarium works to protect the integrity of
is a small gem, offering up-close- natural wildlife areas.
and-personal viewing of 30 species Among the most popular ways
of freshwater fish ranging from game to see the Francis Beidler Forest
fish such as largemouth bass and is by water, and guided kayak and
bluegill to long-nosed gar and hefty canoe trips through the black-water
albino catfish. swamp take paddlers past lofty
The Reptile Center portion of 1,000-year-old cypress trees and
the exhibit building houses a wide through the last virgin bald cypress
variety of snakes, including the dia- and tupelo gum trees in the world.
The Edisto River at
Givhans Ferry State Park
mondback rattlesnake, the reticulat- Along the way, visitors will witness
ed python and the enormous green swamp denizens such as alligators
anaconda. The open-air section of and cottonmouth snakes in their GIVHANS FERRY
the Reptile Center features sights natural environment. STATE PARK
that will appeal to all, among them From time to time throughout Givhans Ferry State Park is situated
the always charming turtles and the the year, the staff at Beidler offers in Ridgeville, less than a 30-minute
eerily fascinating crocodilians. guests the chance to be a part of a drive from Summerville. Located
For additional information and nighttime adventure in the swamp, along the placid Edisto River, the
current admission charges for adults, to experience the unique sights and longest-flowing black-water stream
seniors and children, call (843) 553- sounds of the forest’s nocturnal in- in North America, the park presents
0515 or visit Cypress Gardens’ Web habitants and to witness the prime- a host of outdoor camping and
site at www.CypressGardens.info. val trees and gently flowing waters recreational activities.
ILoveSummerville.com | SummervilleBuilders.com | SummervilleNeighborhoods.com 13
SND_12_Recreation.indd 13 3/20/08 9:52:13 AM
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101