Charles Towne Landing State Historic Area

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Area is the site that preserves the first permanent English settlement in Carolina in the year 1670. The state-protected historic site encompasses a total area of about 664 acres of land close to the city of Charleston in South Carolina. The main entrance to the park can be found about three miles northwest of Charleston and west of the Ashley River, off SC 171.

The protected area was opened to the public as a park in 1970 to commemorate South Carolina's tricentennial. This happened after the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in December 1969. Some of the structures that are preserved within this historic site include a rental facility, an exhibit hall, six fully-functional replica cannons, ongoing archeological excavations, miles of trails, dozens of picnic tables, a tall 17th-century replica trading ship and a lot more.

Additional amenities at the Charles Towne Landing State Historic Area include nature trails, a picnic area, and a picnic shelter. The park also houses a natural habitat zoo that is the home to a wide variety of animal species including bird species like the great blue heron, great egret, black-crowned night heron, brown pelican, black vulture, white Ibis, wild turkey, turkey vulture, and yellow-crowned night heron. Mammal species include the black bear, red wolf, striped skunk, white-tailed deer, pumas/cougars/mountain lions, bobcat, bison, and North American river otter.

As is the case in most South Carolina State Parks, you are allowed to bring your dog into the park. If you choose to do so, you must ensure that your dog is well-behaved. Generally, if your dog is noisy or is threatening or harasses wildlife within the park, then you will be asked to escort your dog out of the park. Furthermore, you are expected to keep your dog on a leash no longer than six feet long or in a secure enclosure.