Audubon Swamp Garden

Audubon Swamp Garden is a garden in Charleston, SC, located at 3550 Magnolia Plantation Rd. It serves as a 13-acre wildlife sanctuary where scenic boardwalk strolling meets a unique ecosystem of cypress and tupelo gum trees growing from blackwater. The garden is part of the Magnolia Plantation & Gardens property, which spans over 200 acres and features more than 6 miles of walking and biking trails. Visitors can explore the swamp garden, historic river walk, and the Wildlife Center, which houses native species and rescued animals. The site is open seven days a week, closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and offers free parking for guests.

The Audubon Swamp Garden is named for John James Audubon and features channels and ponds that evolved from rice paddies engineered by the enslaved. Thousands of plant and animal species coexist here, including wood ducks, yellow-bellied turtles, and alligators. In spring, hundreds of egrets, herons, and other waterfowl nest within feet of the walking path. The broader property includes the Magnolia House, built in 1874 as a country cottage, which offers a tour covering the Reconstruction Era through Prohibition. The Nature Train Tour winds through wetlands, forests, and marsh, providing an overview of the property’s horticulture and Indigenous history. The From Slavery to Freedom Tour explores the institution of slavery and daily life on a Lowcountry rice plantation, connecting national history to the physical spaces that remain. The Peacock Café serves house-made sandwiches and locally sourced drinks, while the Magnolia Shop, located in the former kitchens of the Magnolia House, sells locally sourced products and souvenirs.

The property’s history dates to the late 17th century when Stephen Fox acquired 400 acres along the Ashley River. His son-in-law, Thomas Drayton, expanded the holdings to nearly 1,700 acres by the Civil War. Carolina Gold Rice, cultivated by the enslaved, provided the wealth for the Drayton family. In the 1840s, the Rev. John Grimke Drayton planted the Picturesque garden to help his wife adjust to Lowcountry life, showcasing azaleas and camellias that were among the first of their kind planted outside in SC’s subtropical climate. In 1871, Magnolia opened its gardens to the public, becoming one of Charleston’s first tourist attractions, with visitors arriving via steamship on the Ashley River.

Audubon Swamp Garden holds a rating of 4.60 based on 539 reviews, reflecting a solid reputation among the customers it has served and an established track record built on a large base of customer reviews. It stands as a distinctive natural and historical site in Charleston, offering a rare opportunity to experience a swamp ecosystem and the layered history of the Lowcountry.

Services:

• Admission & Tours
• Gift Shop
• Guided Tours
• Historical Tours
• Membership Groups
• Photoshoot Locations
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