Guide to the South Carolina Botanical Gardens

Ever been to a garden so big that you can easily spend half a day to a full day exploring? Did I mention that said garden attraction is free? Here’s our guide to the South Carolina Botanical Gardens in Clemson, SC. 

Do look at the garden’s map before you go, since there are a lot of things to see and do in the garden. You can plot out a route that works for you and make backup plans in case it rains. 

Related South Carolina Content on the blog:

• What to Expect at YallFest Book Festival in Charleston, SC
• 3 Best Hotels in Clemson, SC for a remarkable stay
• 7 Things To Do In Clemson University (Open to the Public)
• Amtrak Silver Meteor (Palmetto) Review

Parking at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens

There is one main entrance to the garden, and yes, you can drive around the garden. It is a necessity to drive around if you want to see a majority of the sights in one day.  There are parking spots dotted around some of the main sights (more information on their respective areas below), but for specific gardens, you’ll have to hike/walk a bit from the parking lots. There’s not a lot of space to park on the side of the street, and you could get towed if you don’t park in designated parking areas. 

Class of 1939 Caboose Garden

One of the most awesome things I’ve seen at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens is this caboose. What’s funny is that it all happened by accident. After circling, trying to find a way to Hanover House, I finally got to the entrance of the South Carolina Botanical Gardens. 

Imagine my surprise after a wrong turn that the parking spot I ended up in led to this train caboose in the middle of the garden area that I had to investigate. It is a full-size caboose, and while you can’t go inside to investigate what’s in it, it still provides a great photo background for folks who want to explore.  It’s also within walking distance to the parking lot and a few nearby gardens, like the memorial garden for veterans. 

Are there toilets near the Class of 1939 Caboose Garden? 

None that I encountered. The nearest one is near the visitor center (more information below). 

Hanover House 

Address: 113 Hanover Cir, Clemson, SC 
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

Hanover House is a unique attraction. It’s a historic home originally located in the Lowcountry area of South Carolina. Dismantled and transported to Clemson one piece at a time, it was then painstakingly put back together like Lego. Each part had been marked to ensure that they did not miss any pieces, and it was an engineering marvel at the time.

What makes Hanover House Special? 

The house was originally built in 1716, and what made it special and stand out to be preserved was that the fireplace spans across three floors. The fireplace started from the basement, heated the ground floor, and up to the second floor. This type of innovation was very modern for an early 1700s house, and when Lake Moultrie was proposed, Hanover House would’ve been underwater. 

Because of the historical significance of the house, Clemson decided to save the property as part of their School of Architecture. The school’s initial plan was to save and showcase these historic homes at Clemson’s campus, on what would be the Botanical Garden. Sadly, the plan never worked, and there are only three historic houses that are saved and located on campus, two of which are open to the public at the time of this writing. The third house can still be viewed from the exterior as it is being conserved. 

Imagine seeing a house like this being transported on the road long before tiny houses were a thing. Some planks held the house structurally together as it made its way from the Lowcountry to the Upcountry, and was meticulously rebuilt. 

Do not miss the Peu a Peu inscription on one of the chimneys when you visit the property. 

Is there parking available at Hanover House?

Yes, there are parking spots available at Hanover House. There are limited spots, though, and it is very close to the entrance of the house. 

Are there toilets at Hanover House? 

There is a public toilet available in Hanover House, so you can use it before you explore the house or hike other parts of the garden. 

Bob Campbell Geology Museum 

Address: 140 Discovery Ln, Clemson, SC 
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm

This museum was not on my original list when visiting the South Carolina Botanical Garden, but it became a priority when it started raining during my visit. I was shocked to see that this museum has a ton of interesting fossils and rocks, so I spent more time in the museum than I originally intended. Depending on your interest level, you can easily spend an hour or less in this museum. 

The museum features a small gift shop that offers a selection of rocks, toys, shirts, and other typical souvenir items. 

Are there toilets at the Bob Campbell Geology Museum?

There is a toilet located near the museum, but not inside it. You’ll have to make your way to the visitor center (more info below) to use the public toilet. 

Where to Park at the Bob Campbell Geology Museum

There is a big parking lot within a quick walking distance to the Geology Museum and the Visitor Center. This is easily the biggest parking lot I’ve seen at the Botanic Garden, and it is free of charge. 

Fran Hanson Visitor Center 

The Fran Hanson Visitor Center is a house. It’s intimidating looking at it from the outside, as you’re wondering if this structure is open to the public or not. This should be your first stop when you go to the South Carolina Botanical Garden since it’s the place where you can get a physical map of the area. 

When you walk in from the parking lot, enter through the front or side doors, and you’ll see a small exhibition and a big souvenir shop. There are also pamphlets and maps readily available as you walk in. You can take as long as you want in the visitor center, you can chat with a visitor guide, or just walk around the exhibits. 

There is also a small library on-site that has a shelf full of books about flowers and trees. Note that this is not a lending library, where you can take the books out to borrow them. However, you can relax in the room and read to your heart’s content, but you’ll have to return the books to the shelf after you’re done with them. 

Gardens, Buildings, and Trails Galore

There are so many themed gardens to go through all on this post, but here’s a map of the garden from the official Clemson website for you to plot which gardens or trails you would like to visit. 

South Carolina Botanical Gardens

And that concludes our little guide to the South Carolina Botanical Garden. Did I miss any good hikes or other attractions in the garden? Please feel free to leave a comment below!