Riverbanks Zoo is a sanctuary for more than 2,000 animals housed in natural habitat exhibits along the Saluda River in Columbia, SC. Just across the river, the 70-acre Riverbanks Botanical Garden is devoted to gardens, woodlands, plant collections and historic ruins.
Gardens
Spartanburg is home to a few of the region's most mesmerizing gardens. Use our guide to escape the concrete and reconnect with nature.
MGAP trains homeowners in horticultural topics, sponsors volunteer projects in the community, and provides the Clemson Extension Service with trained volunteers. Master Gardeners must take a 17-week class, pass the exam, and log 40 hours of volunteer service to become certified.
Hatcher Garden is a community supported urban garden located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Started by a man with a dream, the garden has grown to become a beautiful woodland preserve that provides a home for wildlife and a display for the nature’s beauty. The mission of Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve is to be a place for the public to come for inspiration, enjoyment and education through the study of nature. The Garden is home to over 10,000 trees, shrubs and flowers. Admission is free.
Wofford College is home to an arboretum of nearly 4,500 trees and is a member of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. For additional information, visit our website.
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is a diverse 295 acres of natural landscapes, display gardens, and miles of streams and nature trails. Together with distinguished education and outreach programs, a nationally recognized nature-based sculpture collection, and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum, the SCBG is a premier site for experiencing nature and culture.
The 12-acre arboretum, named for Susan Jacobs, who is a graduate of The Mary Black School of Nursing at USCS, is located behind the Campus Life center and features a 300-seat Amphitheater, lighted walkways, and foliage indigenous to the area. Call for more information.