What a beautiful oasis in Sumpter! While traveling through the area I wanted to find a place to stop for a bit and take a break from driving. This place came up in my search and so glad it did. The garden is very well maintained and extremely relaxing. Large pond with a number of different species of swans and geese. Great walking trails with lots of shade too. Well worth a visit. Wish I lived closer. read more

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - Parks Near Me - Sumter, South Carolina

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This park holds a very sentimental place to me. My mom used to bring me and my sisters here when we were kids. Also, we used to come here with several of my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. So coming back here years after my mother's passing was a very bitter sweet moment. The park was as I remembered but also they have added things and made it more. The upkeep and maintenance of the park is great. Great for walking and justa relaxing atmosphere. read more

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This place is gorgeous. It has a lot of trails and a lot of different sites you can see. I like that. It has an overpass over the road for you to get to the other side. This will definitely be a place recommended for a family day or a family picnic. read more

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Swan Lake in Sumter, SC is a true gem! Ever since I started working on Shaw AFB, I have been coming here for my afternoon walks if the weather is nice. It's a peaceful stroll around the lake, especially in the Fall or Spring months where it becomes very scenic without the temperatures being too hot or cold. A lot of care goes into maintaining the grounds. I always see the park rangers roaming the area in their golf carts keeping everything to their high standards. Of course, the stars of the show are the swans! It's not every day you get to see different species of swans in one place. Beyond the scenery of the gardens and the swans, I appreciated the peaceful atmosphere. It's a great place to escape the hustle of daily life and simply enjoy nature; a great place to quickly decompress from work stress. The walking paths are well-maintained and easy to navigate, making it accessible fairly easily. And if you're a Pokemon Go player like me, this place is a goldmine! Tons of Pokemon to catch, routes, and raids to do - it makes my lunchtime walks even more fun. read more

This is a spectacular place to enjoy a beautiful and tranquil setting. The landscaping and water features are truly magical. We wholeheartedly recommend visiting here. read more

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - the visitors center - Parks Near Me - Sumter, South Carolina

This is one of Sumter's hidden gems... beautiful all year round! The pounds are filled with wildlife and it feels safe.

What a beautiful place! My sister and I had never been here and decided to go to see the swans. Well, we were not disappointed! We saw many beautiful swans and the grounds were beautiful as well. We didn't realize how large the park is and that there are walking trails. We enjoyed the history posts that you can listen to as you walk around the park. We want to do back and do more walking and look into their special events, such as Christmas, as well. read more

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A beautiful place to connect with nature- the loop around the pond is a short and easy walk. There are recordings that play at different stations along the trail, explaining the characteristics and history of different plant species that reside there. You will see plenty of swans, 8 different species! And they were much less aggressive than the swans I have encountered at other parks. I went on a Monday in December and there were only a couple other visitors there. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and I would love to come back for a jog. No pets allowed. read more

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I really enjoy stopping by here to see the swans or just walking around in nature. The staff and rangers are all very nice and helpful. I especially seeing the fountain. The Iris Festival is one of the longest running events in South Carolina that is a can not miss every year! I highly recommend a stop and stroll around the lake. read more

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - Parks Near Me - Sumter, South Carolina

Beautiful natural scenes. Trees seemingly floating on water like nothing I've ever seen before. There are various paths, benches, gazebos and even picnic pavilions. There are at least 2 restroom locations that I saw which is convenient. There are a variety of swans and plaques that describe each of them. Wander around and discover a lovey Braille garden and butterfly garden. Running water, soft breezes and the swans' song will lull you into a peace not often found in busy life. Enjoy and let me know what you think. read more

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This places makes me sooooooooooo happy. If I lived closer, I'd visit weekly. Truly a gem! Tons of waterfowl species (swans, geese, ducks, cranes, herons, cormorants) and turtles too. Entrance is free, parking is free. In spring you can enjoy viewing the newly hatched babies. Not sure the length of the whole trail (on both sides connected by a street covered overpass), great place to take a solo stroll, have a family outing or romantic date! Highly recommend! read more

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - Parks Near Me - Sumter, South Carolina

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My wife and I stopped here while on a road trip and love it! We had no idea beforehand that the Iris Festival was going on too, but it was a really great time! read more

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - Parks Near Me - Sumter, South Carolina

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Ok this place is relaxing! If you are coming through this area I highly recommend stopping and relaxing on a bench for a bit. Fountain, water fowl galore Pretty easy parking. read more

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Visited here on 03/14/21. Enjoyed our time having a picnic on the additional covered area and my granddaughter liked the playground. Walked around the lake, was fun seeing swans, geese and turtles. I didn't see many swans however. I'm wondering why? Some were in fenced areas and I could clearly see, they wanted to get out. No worker around to ask questions. Recommend animal keepers be outside and accessible to people walking around. Have a weekly advertised educational time scheduled and posted on the grounds. read more

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - Turtles at Swan Lake, Sumter, SC. 03/14/21. - Parks Near Me - Sumter, South Carolina

Went during the Iris festival last year and the family enjoyed it. Boat ride was nice.

This park was absolutely beautiful. I've personally never seen so many swans at once so it was definitely a sight to see. I've also never seen a black swan so that was pleasant surprise for me. It's clearly a go to for anyone interested in nature. read more

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Great place to go if you want to walk around in a semi natural environment. It's free to enter and you can stay as long as you wish. Downside is people throw wedding s there so certain spots might be unavailable. read more

Swan lake is very zen and is a WONDERFUL place to find a quiet place to lay out a blanket on the grass for a nice picnic or meditation session. Walk around and explore the beautiful scenery as you explore the grounds and view the many different spices of swans. Find a tree to hug and ground yourself back to Mother Nature before you leave! The grounds are so beautiful that I chose Swan lake to propose to my wife! We have fond memories from our visits to Swan Lake ! read more

Beautiful place to take family pictures. My Ohana goes there every chance we get. Kids love it. read more

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Fun place to walk & learn about swans. You can also see some nests with baby swans depending on the time of year.

I was very pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon Swan Lake Iris Gardens around the corner from where I was staying. And it's free too! This is the perfect place for relaxing and walking around. There were lots of clean benches to sit on too. As you walk around the lake, there are signs about the swans, and posts for the audio tour. If you have very small children, be sure to keep an eye on them around the birds. The swans and the geese are not afraid to bite, if provoked. read more

This is a beautiful place to go to. A true gem of Sumpter SC. My grandkids loved this place we even saw a snapping turtle sunning itself along the trail. read more

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Beautiful! Definitely worth the trip. Beautiful new statue at the entrance. A must see at Christmas - lights are amazing! May boasts the Iris festival with gorgeous gardens! Swans from all around the world. Great for elementary school trips, family picnics, or just an enjoyable nature walk. read more

Swan Lake is amazing, great scenery and anyone who plays Pokémon Go is a plus and anyone who wants to a walk. I recommend for anyone to come check out Swan Lake Iris Gardens out! read more

Swan Lake is a great park for a stroll. There is a large pond filled with beautiful hardwood trees and different species of swans and other birds. The walkway is well maintained so it would be no problem for a stroller or wheelchair. There is also a small playground and picnic area for you to enjoy. If you need to use the restrooms they are available and have always been cleaned and well stocked each time I have visited. Great place for families to come and spend some time outside. read more

A great place to go and explore and soak in nature! I love going here just to walk around, get fresh air and see the swans and ducks! It's a great place to take your kids, go for a picnic and to see the Christmas lights in the month of December! Always a beautiful site to see during Christmas time and the park rangers do a good job keeping the place feel safe and clean. read more

Great place to take the family. A great place to take photo's. Beautiful scenery. Paths to take walks.

Beautiful! This place is huge with so much to explore! Unfortunately we didn't have much time to really venture around much but my son loved all the swans and ducks. The bridge is beautiful as is a lot of the scenery. We were visiting from out of town but if we ever make it back down there again, we will definitely plan on spending more time exploring! read more

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - Parks Near Me - Sumter, South Carolina

This place was beautiful! Here are some pictures that I took! The staff was very friendly as well! read more

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Very beautiful and fun to walk through to enjoy the beauty of natural and the swans. Just don't climb on the trees that will be calling to take photos in them. The grounds keepers will tell you to stay out of the trees. Also, you are not to throw rocks or skip rocks into the lake. We found that out the hard way also. It's very peaceful and great for the whole family to experience. read more

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Absolutely beautiful serene place to visit. Love the swans and ducks. Great areas to walk and playground for kids. Also many places to rent for parties and such. Oh and don't miss it come Christmas. Unbelievable lights! It's magical! read more

Absolutely awesome ... everything was clean and beautiful. You could find many places to sit and just relax. Great place for a picnic and great place for pictures. read more

Even if you are cautious, the swans are aggressive. My husband and I were sitting on a bench, chatting quietly. A swan swam toward us and got out of the lake. I didn't think much of it. This huge swan slowly walked up to us, and again I didn't worry. We had no food or anything so I was wondering what it was doing. Completely unprovoked, this swan attacks my husband. Biting, chasing, etc. until he could get away. He has nasty bite marks on this ankles and legs. We told the welcome center, and she said "that's unusual for this time of year. There must have been a cygnet around that you couldn't see." There are signs saying that you can watch the birds, but do not disturb them. We we're doing absolutely everything right: sitting quielty, chatting quietly, not disturbing anything. Truthfully, we laughed about it later bc it was so wild, but if this had happened to a child, he/she would have been terrified and hurt badly. It is a beautiful place, but seriously consider taking young kids here. read more

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - Parks Near Me - Sumter, South Carolina

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This place can be summed up in one word "Beautiful" If you live in Sumter you should go.

Amazing time with the kids...huge spent 2 hrs walking around....beautiful scenery and wildlife. Very well maintained.

For Sumter, this place is amazing. i have been enjoying this place, and the bird bites, since I was a kid kicking and screaming my way through the park. The little playground was always fun after feeding the birds and walk around the lake. I love the flowers that bloom here, that it's free, and it is very user friendly. If it is a little smelly and not so great looking, most likely it is from the unkempt visitors and the fact that it is an outdoor LAKE with ANIMALS. Still awesome is the fire truck on the playground. Much little people fun can be had on that and the entire playground. Have never played tennis here but that is also available. I also have not visited the new visitor center so I cannot vouch for that either. If you are looking for something to do in Sumter, this is a great venue. Get some sunshine and some exercise and learn something too boot- now we're talking! read more

I have fond memories of coming here as a kid to run around and feed the swans and geese. Now, as an adult, I like to wander the paths and take in the lovely scenery. The Bland Gardens across the street (connected by a covered walkway that goes over Liberty Street) are particularly nice for a quiet stroll. read more

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - Bland Gardens at Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, S.C. - Parks Near Me - Sumter, South Carolina

Swan Lake is by my house, so I'm always there. Being a camera bug, it's a great place to shoot the wildlife. I never saw so many turtles in my life, which pleases my younger daughter to no end. However; I'm quite surprised that there is so few people there mist of the time. No problem "social distancing" there. read more

Our children love going here to see the swans and turtles. Sometimes you can see some alligators in a certain fenced off section as well (although the fence and steep drop from the walking path to the area where they are keeps them from getting too close). This is the part that one of our daughters wants to go to first every time we go. They also have a playground for the kids to play read more

Beautiful and swans and ducks everywhere. Plenty of trails to walk on and easy to navigate. The turtles even come up to you near the water. Beautiful flowers and trees everywhere. They even have a butterfly garden. Public restrooms right beside the visitors center. It's a must see if your near here. read more

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