State Historic Site · South Carolina
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
- Location
- Dorchester County, South Carolina
- Nearest town
- 3.2 miles south of Centerville
- Type
- State Historic Site
About Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
Along the banks of the Ashley River, a colonial settlement was gradually abandoned and left for archaeologists to uncover. The 325-acre site preserves one of the country's best-preserved oyster-shell tabby forts, along with St. George's Bell Tower, old log shipping wharves, and burial grounds. It was donated to the South Carolina State Park Service in 1969 and entered on the National Register of Historic Places that same year. Ongoing digs continue to bring more of the settlement's past to light.
Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.
Getting there
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site is in Dorchester County, South Carolina, 3.2 miles south of Centerville. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.
State parks near Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 43 in South Carolina →
Givhans Ferry State ParkState Park · Dorchester County, SC13 miNW- Charles Towne Landing State Historic SiteState Historic Site · Charleston County, SC15 miSE
Colleton State ParkState Park · Colleton County, SC27 miW
Edisto Beach State ParkState Park · Colleton County, SC31 miS
Hunting Island State ParkState Park · Beaufort County, SC43 miS- Santee State ParkState Park · Orangeburg County, SC43 miNW
Rivers Bridge State ParkState Park · Bamberg County, SC54 miW
Towns near Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
State parks near Summerville, State parks near Charleston, State parks near Beaufort
Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.