SC Botanical Garden - Clemson Register

Date and Time:
Sat, Apr 18, 2026; 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM  (Eastern)

Organized By: Foothills Group (SC) Sierra Upstate Group

Location: 150 Discovery Ln, Clemson, SC 29634, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Mary Sue Simmons
   walktherabbit@yahoo.com
   8646302095

Come and join me for an easy walk/hike in the SC Botanical Garden in Clemson, SC. We will park near the Geology museum and walk a wooded trail to the Garden Trails.  We will return on the Natural Heritage Garden Trail.  See a description of the Garden below from their website. SC Botanical Garden at Clemson



What began in 1958 as a camellia preserve on a small parcel of land adjacent to John C. Calhoun's 19th century Fort Hill estate has since grown to 295 acres of cultivated landscapes and natural woodlands. Designated as the State's botanical garden in 1992, the Garden is at the intersection of Highway 76 and Pearman Boulevard at Clemson University.

In 1972, Southern Railway donated a recently retired caboose, SOU-X-3164, to serve as an attraction at the Clemson Horticultural Garden (which later became SCBG). The caboose was given, upon request, to Marguerite “Reet” Senn, who then donated it to the garden on behalf of the Class of 1939. This donation set in motion the development of our series of garden spaces dedicated to the history of the University, including the Cadet Life Garden and President’s Garden.  


 

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Nature-Based Sculpture Program at the South Carolina Botanical Garden resulted in the construction of 16 prominent artworks, each developed with natural materials and living plants to suit their unique sites. The sculptures were designed to evolve through the natural processes of decay and growth.

The extended-ephemeral pieces were each designed on-site by international artists and built by local volunteers and students within one month. Upon their completion, the pieces began to return to nature, so while many may still be found in the Garden, others have disappeared without a trace.



The Hunt cabin, originally located in Seneca, SC, was the home of Ransom and Martha Hunt who were well-to-do farmers with over 8,000 acres of land. This residence was constructed by enslaved people in 1835 using hewn logs and chinking. The cabin was moved to the garden in the mid-1960s as part of the Pioneer Garden that existed at that time. 

Level: Easy

Cost: Free entrance and parking. Fee to visit the Hanover House.

Signup Instructions: Sign up on the Sierra Upstate website under SC Chapter Calendar of events. Click on the event to register.https://www.sierraclub.org/south-carolina

Bring: Good walking/hiking shoes, water, snacks, lunch if you want to picnic after the walk.

Cancellation Policy: Steady rain cancels

SC Botanical Garden website