Francis Beidler Forest is the largest virgin blackwater cypress-tupelo swamp forest left in the world. This 11,000-acre riverine sanctuary in the heart of Four Holes Swamp embraces 1,800 acres of ancient trees that tower over blackwater streams, clear pools and 300 species of wildlife. Visitors may delight over the forest's wonders from vantage points along a winding, elevated boardwalk that conveniently starts and ends at the Visitors' Center. The walk is a little over 1 1/2 miles, with nine rest stops and two rain shelters on the way.
Four Holes Swamp is a swamp-stream system in Calhoun County, South Carolina, separated by a low divide from the Congaree River Valley. After winding a serpentine sixty-two miles through the low country of four counties, the black swamp water joins the Edisto River to complete its journey to the Atlantic Ocean. Thus four Holes Swamp is different from the usual riverbottom swamp.
