Plan Your Visit

Whether you choose a guided tour or a self-guided visit, you can spend an entire day or an hour exploring gardens, discovering plants or experiencing the natural world. Programs are available for adults and for school/children's groups. Garden staff can help customize your tour to include visits to the Bob Campbell Geology Museum, Fran Hanson Visitor's Center & Art Gallery and specific areas of the Botanical Garden.

The Gate is Open

Come see us at: 150 Discovery Lane Clemson, SC 29634

The SC Botanical Garden grounds are open to the general public from sunrise to sundown, 365 days a year.

Fran Hanson Visitor's Center Hours: Every day of the week, 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Closed: University holidays (schedule) and varying days on and around the Christmas and New Year's holidays

Visitor's Center

The Fran Hanson Visitor's Center was built in 1998 as "The Wren House," the first Southern Living © Idea House. A collaborative work of architect Keith Summerour and garden designer Ryan Gainey, the house design won awards and attracted visitors from around the country. The home was originally decorated with 85 works of art from 48 local artists, and designer Ann Platz decorated the home with furniture, antiques and decor from local shops. For the first few years of operation, the Wren House served as a Discovery Center for the Mountain Lakes Region of the South Carolina Heritage Corridor. Today, it stands as the Fran Hanson Visitor's Center, welcoming Garden and Museum visitors and showcasing destinations throughout the Upstate.

Pick up a garden map, a cold drink or a garden souvenir at the Garden Gift Shop located inside of the Visitor's Center. The Fran Hanson Visitor's Center staff will help you get started on your adventure through our 295 acres of woodlands, streams, paths, niche gardens and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum.

Garden Etiquette

Enjoy your visit and please observe the following rules:

• stay on paths and turf areas
• park in provided parking lots and pull-offs only. Parking on turf or in planted spaces is strictly prohibited
• do not pick, collect, or damage any plants or landscape materials
• keep food and drink in designated picnic areas
• dogs on leashes are welcome on all trails with the exception of the Natural Heritage Trail - please keep dogs on the trail and clean up after them
• put all garbage in trash or recycling bins, as appropriate
• please observe the Garden speed limit
• no skateboards or rollerblades allowed
• bicycles allowed on paved surfaces only

Dogs in the Garden

Your dog is welcome in the garden. However, Clemson, South Carolina, Clemson University and South Carolina Botanical Garden dog policies must be followed and we ask that, for the safety of all and the health of the Garden, you follow these regulations while visiting with your pet.

• All dogs must be on a leash at all times.
• Dogs are not allowed on the Natural Heritage Garden Trail.
• Keep your dog out of flower beds and on trails and mown grass.
• Please pick up any waste created by your pet during your visit.
• Pets are not permitted in the interior of any University facility, including campus transportation.

Please refer to the Clemson University Domestic Animal (Pets) Policy for specifics and more information regarding service animals

Clemson, South Carolina, City Ordinance: Section 4-28 - Dogs at Large

(a) It shall be unlawful for an owner of any dog to permit such dog to be at large, off the premises or property of the owner, without keeping such dog under restraint by a leash and in the control of a competent person.

(b) It shall be the duty of the police department, or other designated agents, to take up and impound all dogs found running at large upon the streets.

(Code 1979, §§ 6-3033, 6-3025) State Law reference— Authority of city to prohibit, S.C. Code 1976, § 47-3-70; domestic animals at large, S.C. Code 1976, §§ 47-3-50(a), 47-7-110.

Request a Tour

Your submission of this request does not guarantee that the facility or staff are available, nor does this form serve as a binding contract agreement between the below party(ies) and the South Carolina Botanical Garden. A representative from the South Carolina Botanical Garden will contact the below-listed resources to discuss and complete any agreed-upon contractual agreement.

All tours are scheduled Monday-Friday, between 8:30 am and 4 pm. Advance payment is required to reserve tour slots. Please notify staff of any mobility or other issues that should be considered when planning your tour.

Photo/Videographer Registry

All professional photographers & videographers must register with the Garden in advance regarding when and where they plan to shoot.

Once registered, to schedule a photography or videography shoot please contact please call 864-656-2536 or email scbg@clemson.edu.