Beaufort National Cemetery

The basics

The Beaufort National Cemetery has soldiers interned who’ve died in the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf, and Spanish-American Wars, but its largest internment population is Civil War soldiers. Fallen soldiers buried in Hilton Head and East Florida cemeteries, as well as remains found at sites like Folly’s Island, were relocated here.

The 1870s Union Soldiers monument honors 174 unknown Union soldiers buried here. A newer memorial honors all Confederate soldiers laid to rest. Two Medal of Honor recipients are buried here.

Things to know before you go

• Only flowers can be left at the headstones
• Pets are not allowed in the cemetery.
• Picnics and large unauthorized gatherings are not allowed.

How to get there

Beaufort National Cemetery is located at 1601 Boundary Street, approximately 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) north of downtown Beaufort. By car, follow Carteret Street directly to the cemetery. You can drive around the cemetery, and while there’s no parking lot, you can pull over on the side of each roadway.

When to get there

Visit the Beaufort National Cemetery on Memorial Day to view its annual parade and ceremony. On all other days, you can visit anytime in the daylight and respectfully explore the cemetery. Be mindful of special dates, such as Nov. 7, the date of the Battle of Port Royal, which may see more visitors recognizing the date’s historical significance.

Explore more of Beaufort’s Civil War Era history

Downtown Beaufort showcases its local history at the Beaufort History Museum, housed within an 18th-century arsenal. Exhibits discuss Beaufort’s importance in South Carolina’s secession from the Union. The Reconstruction Era National Historical Park across the street further discusses the city’s post-Civil War history. There’s a statue of Robert Smalls, an emancipated slave who became a congressman, beside the Harriet Tubman statue.