A flying red headed woodpecker

Visit the Black River Cypress Preserve

Schedule A Visit

Roughly an hour drive from Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Florence; and only 30 minutes from Georgetown and Kingstree, the Black River Cypress Preserve offers groups of six or more a chance to encounter an ancient coastal wilderness.
kayaking the preserve

Visit the Black River Cypress Preserve

Experience a Rare Corridor of Pristine Wild Habitat

The Cypress Preserve offers a unique opportunity to experience some of North America’s most diverse and exotic ecosystems—from mysterious black water swamps and rivers to sparkling pine savannas. Here, guests can explore via winding hiking and biking trails, or paddle through the swamps along well-maintained canoe and kayak trails. Each trail features interpretive signs and plaques, identifying the flora and fauna that have evolved in these landscapes over many millennia.

We welcome church groups, civic clubs, environmental groups, hiking and biking groups, as well as other organized groups -by appointment only- interested in outdoor recreation, photography, cultural and natural history, and environmental education. The Cypress Preserve is open only to scheduled groups of six or more registered guests. All registered guests are required to sign in with their guide upon arrival, otherwise, risk having their vehicles towed.  Entrance to the Cypress Preserve is free of charge, as is biking and hiking on the property. Groups that wish to kayak are required to hire a Cypress Preserve-approved guide at a per-person fee and groups must have a minimum of twenty people.

Student and Youth Groups

For student and youth groups, the Cypress Preserve offers subsidized opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education through its Outdoor Education Program. In order to visit the Preserve, groups must make an appointment and a guide will be provided. Please use the form below to submit an inquiry.

Visitation Policies and Rules

All group leaders or organizers requesting to visit the Black River Cypress Preserve should read our Guest Visitation Policies and Rules, and share with your group prior to scheduling a visit.