Oscar Scherer State Park

  A Recreational Park and Nature Preserve
Where You Can Get Back to Nature!

Just a few miles south of Sarasota, Florida on Rt. 41 lies Oscar Scherer State Park quietly tucked into the community of Osprey, Florida.

This Sarasota Park has much to offer for enjoyment to environmentalists, nature lovers, bird watchers, bike riders, trail hikers, kayakers and canoeists, anglers, campers and picnickers. 

While not as expansive as Myakka River State Park, Oscar Scherer State Park is no “light-weight” preserve.

And they like to stay involved with the community at Oscar Scherer State Park and they do that through a number of annual special events that bring the crowds out to the park in Osprey.

Some of these events include: the annual All Trails Hike, usually held in January; the annual Scrub Jay 5K and 10K run, usually in February, the two day Sarasota Folk Festival, usually in March; Earth Day, usually the third Sunday in April as well as other special events through the year.

Plus there are weekly events you can participate in, too, like a guided canoe ride (you can rent a canoe there if you don’t own one) with a Park Ranger on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 and a Scrub Jay, bird watching, walk with a zoologist or botanist on Sunday mornings starting at 8:30 (Free with your park admission fee).

Hiking at Oscar Scherer State Park

One of the most popular things to do at Oscar Scherer State Park is hike the trails!

There are seven hiking trails. The newest, The Lake Osprey Trail, opened in June, 2010.

With 7 trails to choose from there are about 15 miles of trails to hike.

Here, then, is a list of the various hiking trails with a description of some of that trail's characteristics:

• Yellow Trail is 5 miles long and mainly level and sandy trails;

• Blue Trail is a 1.5 mile trek through Scrub Jay habitat;

• Red Trail is either a 1.5 mile or 2 mile hike through the northwest part of the park;

• Green Trail is either a 2 mile or 3 mile exploration through scrubby flatwoods and mesic pine flatwoods, with little tree canopy (cover for shade) on this trail, but also said to be the best biking trail in the park;

• Lester Finley Trail is a half-mile walk along the South Creek area, is wheelchair-accessible, has 5 audio boxes through the trail that tell about the different habitats, and only foot traffic is permitted; no bikes;

• South Creek Nature Trail, also off limit to bikes, is another half-mile hike and it follows South Creek and leads into the campground. There is also lots of canopy here providing nice shade during the hottest times of the year. You can combine this hike with the Lester Finley Trail hike for a total hike of about 1.5 miles.

Biking at Oscar Scherer State Park

You may also bike along some of the hiking trails at Oscar Scherer State Park where it is allowed, for example:

• The Yellow Trail allows biking, but it can be difficult in soft sand on the trail, Biking is also allowed on The Blue and Red Trails, but it can be challenging in some spots. The Best biking trail in the park is The Green Trail, which can be either a 2 mile or 3 mile ride.

• The Legacy Trail also cuts through the east part of Oscar Scherer State Park, with a Trailhead located there, from where you can hop on your bike and pick up the Legacy Trail, which is in total a 10.6 mile nature and recreational trail from Sarasota’s Palmer Ranch area all the way south in to Venice.
  

Canoeing and Kayaking

Also within the park is a small lake, Lake Osprey, but it’s big enough to swim in, however, the park does not allow canoes/kayaks/watercraft of any type on Lake Osprey.

But you can canoe or kayak on South Creek, which runs through and along the park.

South Creek also feeds into the intra-coastal waterway to the west and the intra coastal feeds into the gulf.

Camping at Oscar Scherer State Park

The Park also offers both tent and RV camping with fully equipped campsites.

Maximum RV length is 36 ft. and there are electric and water hook ups, nearby grills and picnic tables along with restrooms, hot showers and laundry facilities. Almost all the comforts of home!

Oscar Scherer State Park even has made seven ADA accessible sites with parking and concrete slabs for a grill and table.

Check in time is 3 p.m., Check out time is 1 p.m.

You are allowed to make a camping reservation as far as 11 months prior through ReserveAmerica or at (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287.

Primitive Group and youth camping programs with special camping areas are also available and you can find out more about these programs by calling the park at (941) 483-5956. 

Fishing

Bring your fishing rod and tackle because you can drop a line here as well.

Above the dam you can catch bass, bream and catfish.

Below the dam you might catch Snook, redfish and snapper may be caught in the winter.

A Florida state fishing license is required for anyone over the age of 15 and a saltwater license may be required for fishing below the dam.

Wildlife

The park is filled with wildlife and is also a natural habitat for the protected Florida Scrub Jay.

Other wildlife you may see or encounter could include Great American Bald Eagles, Tortoises, Owls, Bobcats, Deer, Rabbits and Raccoons, yes, even American Alligators are found in various locations of the park (just in case you were wondering!).

And, all the animals in the park are protected by law and it's against the law to feed, harm or harass them. I know that sounds harsh, but It's always best to admire and appreciate the wildlife from a distance and leave them undisturbed.

Other Park Amenities

Throughout Oscar Scherer State Park you’ll find pavilions, picnic tables and charcoal grills, a canoe launch and fishing dock.

There's also an Interpretive Nature Center with nature exhibits about and from Oscar Scherer Park and a children’s playground near the Nature Center.

Pets

And yes, you may bring pets along, IF: they are confined, leashed or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times and leashes may not be longer than 6 feet.

Pets must be well behaved at all times, you must pick up after them, of course, and pets that are noisy or dangerous are not allowed to remain in the park.

So make sure Fluffy and Snowball are perfect ladies and gentlemen before you bring them along!

Whether you’re camping for a week or visiting for just a day to enjoy the park and its trails, you’ll find something “natural” to appreciate about Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey; one of my favorite places to visit in Sarasota County, Florida.

Contact: (941) 483-5956

Hours: 8 a.m. – sunset, when gates are locked.

Admission: Per Vehicle Admission is $5.00 (Allows admission for 2 to 8 people per vehicle; over 8 people requires additional per person fees) (Subject to change)

Directions: From Sarasota go south on Rt. 41/Tamiami Trail to Osprey and watch for the park entrance on the east side of Rt. 41. From downtown Sarasota it’s about 13.5 miles to the park.

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