Frequently Asked Questions About the SC Botanical Garden...
| What kind of garden is the South Carolina Botanical Garden?
What are the rules of the Garden? How do I find my way around the Garden? Is the Garden handicapped accessible? Is there a restroom in the Garden? Can I bring a group to the Garden if I don't want a guided tour? |
| ANSWERS: |
What kind of garden is it? The Garden is comprised of 295 acres of cultivated and natural areas. We have a number of managed Gardens throughout the property; these include the Bernice Dodgens Lark Wildflower Meadow, the award-winning Charles and Betty Cruickshank Hosta Garden, the Lake and Hills Garden Club Butterfly Gardens, and the Piedmont Prairie Meadow. We are committed to connecting people to nature both through informal everyday interactions and more formal educational programs. We have a large collection (13 to date) of site-specific nature-based sculptures located throughout the Garden. |
Where is the Garden? Directions from: Greenville, SC: Take I-85 South and turn off at exit 19-B toward Clemson. You will be on Highway 76 ~go about 9 miles. You will see a stoplight with a sign on the right instructing you to make a left turn onto Perimeter Road (Pearman Blvd.). The Garden's main entrance is approximately 1 mile on the left. Hayden Conference Center and Hanson Nature Learning Center: At the corner of Hwy. 76 & Perimeter Road, follow the signs to the first drive way on the left. The Nature Center is located behind the Hayden Conference Center. The Caboose parking lot can be accessed by making a left turn into either the third drive on the left or by using the Garden's main entrance road and following the signs to the Heritage Gardens, first drive on the left. The Fran Hanson Discovery Center is located at the Garden's main entrance. It is the brick two story building on the hill on the right. Parking is located at the end of the main entrance road, visitor drop-off is at the front of the building. Handicapped access is located behind the Carriage House adjacent to the Discovery Center. Follow the signs through the large parking lot. Easley, SC: Take Highway 123 toward Clemson. Turn left on Highway 76 - go to the first light and turn right onto Perimeter Road. (follow directions above).Directions from: Click here for Map Quest link of the Garden. Greenville, SC: Take I-85 South and turn off at exit 19-B toward Clemson. You will be on Highway 76 ~go about 9 miles. You will pass the armory on your right and shortly thereafter come to a stoplight. There will be a sign on the right instructing you to make a left turn onto Perimeter Road (Pearman Blvd.). The Garden's main entrance is approximately 1/2 mile on the left. Click here for Map Quest link. Easley, SC: Take Highway 123 toward Clemson. Exit Hwy. 93 in Clemson. take a left. Travel 1 mile then cross over Hwy. 76 and take a hard left to get onto Hwy. 76 headed towards Anderson. Go 1/4 mile and take a right at first light. Turn left on Highway 76 - go to the first light and turn right onto Perimeter Road (Pearman Blvd.). The Garden's main entrance is approximately 1/2 mile on the left. Click here for Map Quest link. Seneca & Walhalla: Take Highway 123 toward Clemson. Bear off to the right onto Highway 93. Follow this to the next light and turn right onto Perimeter Road. Follow the signs to the Botanical Garden. After you cross the intersection of Perimeter Road and Cherry Road (the golf course is on your right) the entrance to the Garden is about 3/4 mile on your right. Click here for Map Quest link. Charlotte, NC: Take I-85 south toward Greenville, SC to exit 19-B at Clemson. You will be on Highway 76 ~go about 9 miles. You will pass the armory on your right and shortly thereafter come to a stoplight. There will be a sign on the right instructing you to make a left turn onto Perimeter Road (Pearman Blvd.). The Garden's main entrance is approximately 1/2 mile on the left. Click here for Map Quest link. Atlanta, GA: I-85 north toward Greenville, SC to exit 19-B at Clemson. You will be on Highway 76 ~go about 9 miles. You will pass the armory on your right and shortly thereafter come to a stoplight. There will be a sign on the right instructing you to make a left turn onto Perimeter Road (Pearman Blvd.). The Garden's main entrance is approximately 1/2 mile on the left. Click here for Map Quest link. Columbia, SC: Take I-26 west toward Greenville/Spartanburg to I-385 west toward Greenville. Get on I-85 South toward Atlanta to Clemson to exit 19-B. You will be on Highway 76 ~go about 9 miles. You will pass the armory on your right and shortly thereafter come to a stoplight. There will be a sign on the right instructing you to make a left turn onto Perimeter Road (Pearman Blvd.). The Garden's main entrance is approximately 1/2 mile on the left. Click here for Map Quest link. Directions to Garden Facilities: Hayden Conference Center and Hanson Nature Learning Center: From the corner of Hwy. 76 & Perimeter Road, follow the signs and take the first road on the left. The Nature Center is located behind the Hayden Conference Center. The Caboose parking lot can be accessed by using the Garden's main entrance road and following the signs to the Heritage Gardens. The Fran Hanson Discovery Center is accessed through the Garden's main entrance. Follow Garden Trail to the right and past the meadow.The Discovery Center is the brick two story building on the hill on the right. Parking is located at the end of the main entrance road, visitor drop-off is at the front of the building. Handicapped access is located behind the Carriage House adjacent to the Discovery Center. Follow the signs through the large parking lot. |
| What are the hours? The Garden is open from dawn until dusk every day of the year. The Fran Hanson Discovery Center is open Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm. The Campbell Geology Museum is open Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm and Sunday 1-5pm. |
How much is admission? |
| What are the rules of the Garden? ~Use designated paths and trails--do not trample undergrowth or planted areas. ~Enjoy the Garden, but please do not take anything from it~do not pick flowers or fruits or gather insects. ~Do not climb trees, shrubs, walls, or sculptures. ~Picnic in designated areas only. The picnic area is between the Caboose and the Heritage Garden Pond. See map. ~Please take your trash with you~we have a limited amount of trash receptacles. ~Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times, under control ~and please pick up after your pet. ~Do not drive or park on the grass. ~Garden hours are from dawn until dusk, 365 days a year. ~Gates to the arboretum close at approximately 4pm. Please remove vehicles from this area by this time. |
| What's in flower now? What's in flower now? There's always something blooming in the SCBG! Contact our visitor center for specifics or click the "What's Blooming" link on our home page. To contact us call 864-656-3405 or email us. |
| How do I find my way around the Garden? Maps are available online, in a kiosk to the left of the Caboose parking lot, the main parking lot, the Fran Hanson Discovery Center, and at the Bob Campbell Geology Museum. |
| Where can I park? There are three parking lots available to the public. The Caboose parking lot holds between 50 and 60 cars. The parking lot below the Fran Hanson Discovery Center and the Bob Cambell Geology Museum has 250 spaces. There is also limited parking around the Hayden Conference Center and Nature Learning Center . All parking is free. |
| Is the Garden handicapped accessible? There is handicapped parking at the Caboose and behind the Betsy Campbell Carriage House (to the rear of the Fran Hanson Discovery Center). The Heritage Gardens are paved and suitable for wheelchairs. Other paved areas in the Garden have relatively steep slopes and should be negotiated with care. The Garden's visitor center, The Fran Hanson Discovery Center, has an elevator for accessibility to view the galleries and all other Garden buildings are accessible. |
| Is there a restroom in the Garden? Public restrooms are located near the main entrance, at the Nature Learning Center ~across the dam to the duck pond, and up the hill to the right, and also in the Carriage House located behind the Fran Hanson Discovery Center. Additional restrooms are located at the Hanover House and are only open on the weekends in line with their operating hours. |
| Guided or Self-Guided Tours of the Garden? Self-guided tours are fun and easy but we also provide guided tours tailored to the age group, size, and interests of your group. All groups intending to visit the Garden should contact Clemson University's Visitor Center (864-656-7697) to schedule a group visit. The Garden is a wonderful teaching environment and an exciting place to visit; however, it is also a place for people to relax and enjoy nature. Please bear this in mind when you are bringing large classes and groups. |