Discover autumn at the Black River Cypress Preserve: October events preview
September 29, 2026
As fall temperatures settle over South Carolina’s coastal plain, the Black River Cypress Preserve (BRCP) is inviting the public to explore its blackwater swamps, pine forests, and vibrant ecosystems. Throughout October, the Preserve will host a diverse slate of guided programs designed for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, botanists, and night-sky explorers alike.
Dedicated to conserving local flora and fauna and protecting the ecological health of the Black River watershed, the BRCP offers community members hands-on opportunities to learn about and experience the region’s natural heritage. 
Here is the schedule of upcoming events hosted across the Preserve’s properties in October:
Birds at the Swampside Tract
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Date & Time: Saturday, Oct. 10 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
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Location: Swampside Tract (16368 County Line Road, Andrews, SC)
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Overview: Kick off October mornings with an early birding excursion through the diverse habitats of the Swampside Tract. Guided by local experts, participants will search for migratory birds, native species, and waterfowl along the trail network.
Butterfly and Moth Survey
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Date & Time: Sunday, Oct. 11 | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
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Location: Swampside Tract (16368 County Line Road, Andrews, SC)
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Overview: Join fellow nature enthusiasts in documenting local pollinators. This citizen-science survey focuses on identifying and logging butterfly and moth species found throughout the Preserve’s fields and forested areas.
Fall Botany Hike
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Date & Time: Saturday, Oct. 17 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
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Location: Peninsula Tract (91 Hammock Road, Andrews, SC)
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Overview: Experience the changing autumn foliage on a guided botanical walk through the Peninsula Tract. Hikers will learn to identify native plant species, autumn blooms, and the ecological dynamics of coastal plain plant communities.
Full Moon Hike & Mothing Event
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Date & Time: Saturday, Oct. 24 | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Gates open at 5:30 PM)
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Location: Swampside Tract (16368 County Line Road, Andrews, SC)
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Overview: Partnering with the Grand Strand Chapter of the Native Plant Society of SC, this special night event begins with a walk through the new Native Plant Garden before taking off on a 2-mile moonlight hike as the moon rises. Afterward, participants will gather at light stations set up by SCNPS to observe active nocturnal insects and moths up close.
Space for guided hikes and surveys is limited. Participants are encouraged to check availability and register early through the Black River Cypress Preserve Events Page. Hikers should wear comfortable, closed-toed walking shoes and long pants. Outdoor programs are subject to weather conditions and may be canceled or rescheduled in the event of rain.
About the Black River Cypress Preserve
The mission of the Black River Cypress Preserve (BRCP) is to conserve flora and fauna, protect the ecological functions of the Black River and watershed, and preserve the aesthetic beauty of the Black River and associated forests. BRCP was created to inspire, activate, and educate citizens about the extraordinary blackwater swamps and native pinelands of South Carolina’s coastal plain. Activities offered are kayaking, biking, hiking, plant identification, birding, picnicking, and botanical garden.
