Gliding through a blackwater swamp in a small rowboat is one of the most memorable outdoor adventures near Charleston. It feels a little mysterious, wonderfully peaceful and very South Carolina.
While visiting my longtime friend Wendy and her family in Mount Pleasant, we spent an afternoon at Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner. The 170-acre preserve occupies part of the former Dean Hall Plantation, where rice fields and wetlands were transformed into public gardens in the 1930s.
Explore the Butterfly House
We started inside the Butterfly House. The climate-controlled greenhouse is filled with flowering plants, water features, colorful birds and hundreds of butterflies.
It’s a delightful first stop, especially on a hot or rainy day.
Paddle Through the Blackwater Swamp
The highlight of Cypress Gardens is its swamp boat adventure. Self-guided trips are included with general admission and offered based on availability. Guided tours cost an additional $5 per person and must be reserved on-site.
Wendy and I chose the self-guided option. We climbed into a flat-bottom boat and began paddling through the 80-acre swamp.
Bald cypress and tupelo trees tower above the dark water. Small arrows marked the route as we watched for alligators, birds and turtles.
The swamp is eerily serene. We ducked under two low bridges and spotted a turtle sunning on a log. Twisted roots disappear beneath the water, while knobby “cypress knee” roots rise out of it.
Wendy laughed at how excited I became every time we passed another patch of lily pads. It’s the little things.
Our leisurely paddle took about 30 to 40 minutes. Wildlife sightings vary, but the reflections and maze of trees make the boat ride worthwhile, even when the alligators stay hidden.
Cypress Gardens’ Hollywood History
The scenery may look familiar. Cypress Gardens has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, including The Notebook, The Patriot, Cold Mountain, Swamp Thing, and Outer Banks.
As you explore Cypress Gardens, you’ll recognize some of the filming locations. The swamp was the setting for the famous boat scene in The Notebook.
Walk the Trails and Visit the Swamparium
After a boat ride, follow a walking trail to a quiet spot overlooking the swamp. We found a lovely place to sit beneath the trees and watch other boats glide past.
When you’re ready to cool off, finish your visit inside the Swamparium. I’m not typically a fan of reptile exhibits, but the cool space is a nice change from the humid swamp.
There are snakes here, but the exhibit also features fish, amphibians and reptiles from local waterways and swamp habitats around the world.
You can easily spend two or three hours exploring Cypress Gardens. Allow longer if you want to walk more trails or have to wait for a boat.
Cypress Gardens is an affordable and wonderfully different Charleston-area adventure. Between the butterflies, wildlife, Hollywood history and peaceful swamp, there is plenty to fill an afternoon.
If you’re staying in Mount Pleasant, check out my guide on where to eat. Cypress Gardens and Moncks Corner are part of a region known as Santee Cooper Country. Here’s how to spend a couple days explore Santee Cooper Country, home to South Carolina’s Great Lakes. If you’re heading to Beaufort, don’t miss Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
