Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens is a botanical garden and park in South Carolina featuring a network of pathways through blackwater swamps where cypress trees and native plants grow in still, dark waters. The grounds combine wooden boardwalks with waterways that allow visitors to move through different landscape zones while observing the dense vegetation and natural water systems.

The site began as a rice plantation in the 1800s and later became a phosphate mining operation before transforming into a public garden starting in 1927. This shift from extraction to preservation reflected changing attitudes toward South Carolina's natural landscapes.

The gardens promote environmental education through exhibits, workshops, and programs that focus on the ecological importance of South Carolina's wetland ecosystems.

Visitors can paddle through waterways, walk on marked trails, and watch wildlife from observation areas scattered throughout the grounds. The mix of boardwalks and water routes means you should wear appropriate footwear and bring sun protection for time spent outdoors.

The garden's dark water swamps served as filming locations for movies including The Notebook and Cold Mountain, lending the place a cinematic identity that many visitors find memorable. The film crews were drawn to the natural appearance of the landscape without needing extensive set design.