Where to Find Fossils in South Carolina: 48 Mapped Sites
South Carolina has 48 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are Myrtle Beach, Kiawah Island, and Ashepoo River. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 7 of the 48 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fossils Map: South Carolina
All 48 fossils sites in South Carolina. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in South Carolina
Fossils live in sedimentary rock — limestone, shale, and sandstone. Fresh exposures are everything: roadcuts, creek banks after storms, quarry spoil, and eroding badlands beat weathered outcrop every time.
The richest reported sites in South Carolina: Myrtle Beach, Kiawah Island, Ashepoo River, BE-0 (Lower Santee Limestone, South Carolina), Belle Broughton plantation, 1/2 mi SE of Creston, on branch of Halfway Swamp.
Local reporting distinguishes Megalodon Teeth (7 sites), Fossilized Shark Teeth (1 site), Shark Teeth (1 site).
Of the 48 sites, 7 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Fossils Sites in South Carolina
- Myrtle Beach — Public Access
- Kiawah Island — Public Access
- Ashepoo River — Other
- BE-0 (Lower Santee Limestone, South Carolina) — Other
- Belle Broughton plantation, 1/2 mi SE of Creston, on branch of Halfway Swamp — Other
- Berkeley County, Chandler Bridge Formation Bed 3 — Other
- Black Creek — Other
- Cashua Road — Other
- Charleston International Airport drainage ditch — Other
- COC AF-18 — Other
- Cooper River — Public Access
- Coosaw River — Other
- Coquina Harbour — Other
- Edisto Beach — Public Access
- Edisto Beach — Other
- Folly Beach — Public Access
- Givhans Ferry (Loc. 23) - Lower Goose Creek Lmst — Other
- Hilton Harbor — Other
- Kingstree, Black River (Cretaceous/reworked) — Other
- M 166 — Other
- M 167 — Other
- M 168 — Other
- M 169 — Other
- M 171 — Other
- M 904 — Other
- M 905 — Other
- Mark Clark Expressway at Attaway Street — Other
- Martin Marietta Berkeley Quarry, Cross Member — Other
- Martin Marietta Berkeley Quarry -Paleocene level — Other
- Martin Marietta Orangeburg Quarry (Cross Member) — Other
- Morgan River — Public Access
- Morris Island — Public Access
- Pee Dee River, 2 miles south of Allison Ferry Landing — Other
- Port Royal Sound — Other
- PRI 2262 — Other
- Quarry on Edwards farm, 1.9km south of SC Route 6 and 33 junction — Other
- Quinby — Other
- Raysor Bridge (Loc. 8) - Raysor and lower Goose Creek Lmst — Other
- Rocky Point, SC — Other
- Santee canal (Santee Limestone, S. Carolina) — Other
- Southern Aggregates Orangeburg Quarry (Santee Limestone) — Other
- South of Ladson (Procolpochelys locality) — Other
- Sta. 7972 - Pee Dee Rive, Yauhannah Ferry [Waccamaw Fm] — Other
- Sta. 7990 - Belle Broughton Plantation [Santee Limestone] — Other
- Summerville Barrier, Berkeley 45 drill hole (Waccamaw Fm) — Other
- Summerville, near — Other
- Tearcoat Branch (Loc. 11) - Duplin Fm (Ward and Huddlestun (1988) coll.) — Other
- YMCA #4 — Other
How to Identify Fossils
Look for biological structure the rock around it lacks: shell curves and growth lines, the spongy honeycomb interior of bone, leaf veins, ribbed corals, or the segmented symmetry of a trilobite. Fossils usually contrast with their matrix in color or density. Bone that has mineralized feels heavier than fresh bone and often shows a polished brown-black surface.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find fossils in South Carolina?
South Carolina has 48 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are Myrtle Beach, Kiawah Island, and Ashepoo River. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in South Carolina?
We have 48 documented fossils sites in South Carolina, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in South Carolina?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify fossil?
Look for biological structure the rock around it lacks: shell curves and growth lines, the spongy honeycomb interior of bone, leaf veins, ribbed corals, or the segmented symmetry of a trilobite. Fossils usually contrast with their matrix in color or density. Bone that has mineralized feels heavier than fresh bone and often shows a polished brown-black surface.
What kinds of fossils are found in South Carolina?
Reports from South Carolina distinguish Megalodon Teeth (7 sites), Fossilized Shark Teeth (1 site), Shark Teeth (1 site).
What should I bring to collect fossils?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
More to Find in South Carolina
Fossils in Nearby States
Data: Paleobiology Database, community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.