The main visitation time at the Arboretum will be the Open House events, held in the months of January through November on the third Sunday afternoon of the month from 1 to 4 pm and in December on the second Sunday afternoon of the month from 1-4 pm. Both the Bloomwood Gate and the Wilmot Gate will open at 1:00 pm and close at 4 pm, regardless of temperature and rainfall. A welcome greeter will be present at each gate; a program will be usually be presented at 2 pm on a topic relevant to the Arboretum such as a guided walk to a new feature, or a workshop on plants, gardening, climate change, etc. The Arboretum Museum will also be open from 1-4 pm during the Open House. The Lindler Trail has self-guiding signs to help visitors learn about special features of the trail exhibits and the 10 restored habitats. Spur Paths off the main Lindler Circle Trail are marked with blue slates and red brick, with an explanatory sign mounted at ground level on the blue slate; the spur paths lead to an exhibit or special feature. It is essential that visitors stay on the Lindler Trail and/or the Spur Paths at all times and venture off-trail.Pets, smoking, picnics, alcohol and any loud electronic devices are not permitted. No sanitary facilities of any sort are available within the Arboretum. The Piggly Wiggly store nearby at Kilbourne and Devine Street is willing to have Arboretum visitors use their very attractive and well-kept restrooms.

The Wednesday Trail Walking program at the Belser Arboretum is more informal in scheduling than the Open Houses. Wednesday is the main Work Day for our regular work staff and volunteer crew. The work crew generally arrives at 7:30 am and leaves at 2:30 pm, but the schedule is entirely weather dependent. On bitterly cold days starting time is delayed out of consideration for the well-being and comfort of the workers; in case of heavy rainfall which would make brush cutting and tree clearing work dangerous, the crew may opt to work on another day or start at a different time. Therefore, if the weather is reasonable and the work crew is on site with the Bloomwood Gate unlocked, visitors wishing to walk on the Lindler Trail may enter the Bloomwood Gate between 8 am and 2 pm. Please sign in on the log sheet when you enter and sign out when leaving. Please inform Pat DeCoursey, the Arboretum Director, or her Assistant, Gene Lindler, of your presence and time of departure to avoid being locked into the Arboretum.

The Bloomwood Gate is located at 4080 Bloomwood Road. the Wilmot Gate is located on Wilmot Avenue halfway between Kalmia and Kilbourne Streets. A map and Arboretum Brochure are located on the web at http://zebra.biol.sc.edu/arboretum.