There are lots of spectacular parks to discover when you book an RV in Sumter, and one of the best outdoor spaces to visit is the Swan Lake Iris Gardens. Originally a swamp, this land was developed by a local businessman who wanted this space to be a private fishing lake and beautiful iris garden. After failing to grow these plants successfully, he dumped the iris bulbs in the swamp. The bulbs mistakenly bloomed the next summer, creating one of the highest concentrations of irises in the U.S., and one of the country's first botanical gardens. This garden is now abundant with different animals and exotic plants and is the perfect place to relax. Another impressive place to visit when you rent a camper in Sumter is Manchester State Forest. This classic Carolina forest covers over 20,000 acres of hardwood and pine trees with plenty of trails, making this a great place to go for a scenic hike. Hunting is popular here, so wearing an orange vest is required during deer hunting season. Visitors are also welcome to fish, with four ponds and several creeks providing picturesque fishing spots. Alternatively, you might want to visit another local forest at Congaree National Park. This park features over 25 miles of trails, 2.4 miles of which are boardwalks lifting you above the floodplain and taking you past Weston Lake. As this area features floodlands, you can uniquely experience the forest via a marked canoe trail. Visitors can bring their own canoe, or they can rent one in Columbia, which is a short drive north.