Park Finder

GENERAL

• Counties: Dorchester
• Acreage: 325
• When & How PRT Acquired: In 1960, 20.56 acres were leased from Westvaco and .94 acres was donated by the Protestant Episcopal Church. In 1969, 76.86 acres were acquired from Westvaco and in 1982, another 247 acres were acquired from Westvaco.
• Pets: Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet.
• Restrictions: Colonial Dorchester is a protected site. Metal detecting and removal of artifacts are prohibited. Grills are not allowed and visitors are asked to take out what they bring in, because of the unique nature of the site.
  
  
• Tour and Programs Information: Visitors can observe and even participate in archaeological digs revealing well-preserved building foundations, street systems and other evidence of colonial life in the old town.
  
  Hands-on educational programs are held regularly on weekends.
  
  School groups can also participate in similar programs during the week through "DiscoverCarolina Programs", which provides curriculum-based social studies programs for South Carolina school children.
  
  
• Historical Significance: Colonial Dorchester is 15 miles upriver from Charleston on the State Scenic Ashley River. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places.
  
  The church was built in 1719; the bell tower was added in 1751.
  
  The fort overlooking the river was built in 1757.
  
  At the beginning of the Revolutionary War Dorchester was a fortified post for the Americans, its garrison briefly commanded by Francis Marion, who later became famous as the Swamp Fox. Near the war’s end, the village was a British post, occupied until the approach of an American force prompted the British to evacuate.
  
  The town was abandoned after the Revolution, and as the surrounding forest reclaimed the site it preserved the town’s archaeological remnants under the surface.
  
  

HOURS

• Admissions: $2 adults; $1.25 SC seniors; age 15 & younger free
  
  
• Office Hours: 11am-12pm
• Days and Hours of Operation: M-Su 9am-6pm

LOCATION

• Driving Directions:
  From I-26: Take exit 199-A. Travel 3 mi on Hwy 17 through downtown Summerville to Hwy 165.
  Turn left onto Hwy. 165/E. Carolina Ave. Stay in right lane and travel .5 miles and veer right and continue on Hwy. 165/Bacons Bridge Rd.
  Travel 2.5 mi to Hwy 642/Dorchester Rd.
  Travel 2 mi. and park entrance will be on the right.
• Miles to Nearest Hospital: 2
• Miles to Nearest Town: 4

MILES TO:

• Charleston, SC: 25
• Columbia, SC: 100
• Florence, SC: 112
• Greenville, SC: 200
• Charlotte, NC: 178
• Raleigh, NC: 250
• Atlanta, GA: 286
• Augusta, GA: 118
• Savannah, GA: 95

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Are there Cabins or Villas at this Park?: There are no overnight accommodations at this Park.
• What kind of activites are available at this Park?: A kiosk and interpretive trail offer exhibits and waysides. Please click on the Things To Do menu item above for more details.
• If you cannot find it on this website: We try to provide you with as much information as possible on this website to assist you in selecting your favorite State Park and book your reservation on-line. However, if you can't locate the information you are looking for on this site, please feel free to email the park at colonialdorchester@scprt.com. We will respond to your email as soon as possible.