Parks & Trails
Places to Visit:
Birdwatching & Botanical
- Swan Lake Iris Gardens, (822 W. Liberty St.)
(803) 436-2640 - Sparkleberry Swamp
Hiking & Biking
- Cypress Trail (pet-friendly*)
- High Hills of Santee Passage - SC Palmetto Trail (pet-friendly*)
- Lake Marion Passage - SC Palmetto Trail (pet-friendly*)
- Lynches River
- Poinsett State Park (pet-friendly*)
- Shot Pouch Greenway (pet-friendly*, pets are not allowed in Swan Lake, only along the Shot Pouch Trail)
- Wateree Passage - SC Palmetto Trail (pet-friendly*)
- Woods Bay State Park (pet-friendly*)
Hunting Preserves
- Manchester State Forest - (803) 494-8196
- Pack's Preserve - (803) 452-5514
- Carter's Shooting Preserve - (803) 481-2732
- Wood Run Shooting Preserve - (803) 481-2974
- Scape Ore Kennels - (803) 453-5355
- Jakie Woods Quail & Pheasant Preserve - (800) 453-5004
Parks & Gardens
City Parks
- Benton Park, (Benton Court)
- Birnie Park, (351 S. Guignard Dr.)
- Chamber park, (215 N. Harvin St.)
- College Park (655 Church St.)
- Crosswell Park (130 Yeadon St)
- Dunway Park
- Eastwood Park (Eastwood Dr.)
- Fulton Park
- Herbert Park (Herbert Circle)
- Jenkins Center Park (320 W. Oakland Ave.)
- Lawton Park (Lawton Circle)
- Lindley Park (Lindley Avenue, across from Lesesne Court at the intersection of Lesesne Dr. or on Lindley Ave. between Lesesne Dr. and Benton Dr. It looks like a driveway, but it isn't)
- Logan Park (23 Logan St.)
- Memorial Park (pet-friendly*)
- North HOPE Park (904 N Main St.)
- Optimist Park (corner of Pine St. and Church St.)
- Palmetto Park (400 Theatre Dr., pet-friendly* )
- Parker Dr. Park (tip of the curve of Parker Dr.)
- Riley Park was (655 Church St.)
- Rolling Creek Park (310 Rolling Creek Dr.)
- South Sumter Park (630 S Sumter St.)
- Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W. Liberty St.)
- Veterans Park
- V.I.M. Park
Spray Parks (open Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day)
- Birnie HOPE Park (210 S Purdy St.)
- Crosswell Park (130 Yeadon St.)
- North HOPE Park (904 N Main St.)
- Palmetto Park (400 Theatre Dr.)
- South Sumter Park (630 S Sumter St.)
County Parks
- Cypress Park (pet-friendly*)
- Dillon Park (pet-friendly, with off-leash option inside dog park)
- Live Oak Park (across from the intersection of Clipper Rd. on US Hwy 15 South, pet-friendly*)
- Mill Creek Park (pet-friendly*)
- Patriot Park (pet-friendly*)
State Parks
- Poinsett State Park (pet-friendly*)
- Thomas Sumter Memorial Park (pet-friendly*)
- Woods Bay State Park (pet-friendly*)
- Manchester State Forest
Cabins, RVs & Camping
- Falcon Nest Family Campground, Shaw AFB, SC 29152
Mill Creek Park, 7995 Milford Plantation Rd, Pinewood, SC 29125, (803) 436-2248 (pet-friendly*)
Poinsett Park Campground, 6660 Poinsett Park Rd, Wedgefield, SC 29168, (803) 494-8177 (pet-friendly*)
- Terwood Mobile Home and RV Park, 2375 Peach Orchard Rd, Sumter, SC 29154
*All pet-friendly locations require pet to be on a leash, unless otherwise stated.
Sumter abounds in scenic beauty, an irresistible enticement for nature lovers. Family fun and relaxation, adventures in challenging the elements, and everything in between awaits the traveler. Our scenic beauty and sun-soaked climate offer the best in outdoor fun year round, and there's always something exciting to do! Located in the Midlands Plain region of the state, Sumter County's verdant woods, rushing rivers and scenic lakes quicken the blood and delight the senses.
Boating, birding, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting and horseback riding come naturally to most residents and visitors. The world-famous Swan Lake Iris Gardens feature all eight known swan species and the most intensive plantings of Japanese Iris in the United States. Manchester State Forest is home to Poinsett State Park, annual equestrian events, mountain biking and ATV trails, three passages of the SC Palmetto Trail and some of the best hunting in the state. The Lynches River and Woods Bay State Park offer a breathtaking trip for paddling enthusiasts. Woods Bay State Park is one of the mysterious "Carolina Bays," whose origins are still a puzzle to scientists. Sumter is also home to the award-winning Sumter High School Environmental Center, which has been named as a National Wildlife Habitat and received the 2006 SC Wildlife Federation Conservation Award in Education.
Deer, quail, duck, wild boar, pheasant and turkey abound in the dense forests of Sumter County. With an exceptionally long deer season, privately managed quail lands and excellent waterfowl hunting in the Santee Swamp, Sumter is a paradise for the outdoor sportsman.
Year-round fishing is a pleasure at Lake Marion, part of the Santee-Cooper lake system that sprawls across more than 110,000 acres in Sumter, Clarendon, Orangeburg and Berkeley Counties. The lake teems with largemouth and striped bass, catfish and crappie. It is accessible from Sumter County via Packs Landing, Rimini Landing and Sparkleberry Landing.
Wildly popular among international and domestic visitors with its moss-draped cypress trees, 150 birds species and diverse eco-system, Sparkleberry Swamp is considered to be one of the most beautiful swamps in South Carolina. Need a kayak or canoe? Schedule a group or private tour through Blueway Adventures and they'll provide all you need.
Take an outdoor journey through Sumter…it's the natural thing to do. Visit our Discover Sumter Map to explore the location of places to stay and play in Sumter, South Carolina!