Please stop and chat with one of our wonderful volunteers to learn more about the park. Numbered benches conveniently placed along the trails provide resting spots and, since the numbers correspond with numbers on the trail map, visitors can determine their exact location on the trail. Make sure to request a trail map when entering the park. South Creek Picnic Area has a restroom, small pavilion and a canoe launch. The Nature Center at Lake Osprey has interpretative exhibits about the Park. Pets must not be left unattended, nor taken into restroom facilities or onto playground equipment. Due to recent rains hiking trails may be muddy, have standing water or be impassable. Visitor center hours may vary. Best trails in Oscar Scherer State Park, Florida | AllTrails For many years Oscar Scherer State Park has hosted numerous fishing contests, the Kiwanis Fishathon being an annual event. Oscar Scherer State Park offers 104 fully-equipped campsites for tent or RV camping with electric and water hook-ups. Scavenger hint sheets will be available at the ranger station or on the Friends of Oscar Scherer State Park Facebook page. This park’s large acreage of scrubby flatwoods makes it one of the best places in southwest Florida to view Florida scrub-jays, an imperiled species found only in Florida. The park features 10 miles of biking trails with the Legacy Trail directly through the heart of the park. In addition to viewing wildlife, an array of other land-based and water-based recreational activities awaits you. Canoe and kaya… There are eleven hiking/biking trails of various sizes and access to the Legacy Trail, a paved multiuse trail that runs ten miles through the county. Please remember that all animals are protected and it is unlawful to harm, harass or feed them. The creek fluctuates with the incoming tide and is brackish (a mixture of fresh and salt water). There are seven ADA accessible sites, with aprons for parking and concrete slabs for grill and table. Picnic areas are equipped with grills, and pavilions can be reserved for a fee. Oscar Scherer State Park – Area Recreation. The 1,400 acre park has parking, restrooms, camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, playground and kayaking/canoeing on South Creek or Lake Osprey, the main recreational area. Oscar Scherer State Park is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities to all of our visitors. Boat and picnic pavilion rentals are currently unavailable. Oscar Scherer has temporarily closed portions of the Green Trail until further notice due to the annual American bald eagle nesting season, per national protocols and regulations. Pets (other than service animals) are not permitted in any of the restroom facilities. During our recent trip to Venice we spent a lot of time walking the beaches looking for shark teeth, so this park gave us a different perspective of the area and a chance to see something different. Oscar Scherer State Park With electricity and water as well as picnic tables and grills, not only are Oscar Scherer campgrounds a home away from home, but a kitchen away from home! There is always something to do at Oscar Scherer State Park. Event is free with paid park … Lake Osprey is a three-acre freshwater lake providing anglers with the opportunity to catch bream, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. Trail map of Oscar Scherer State Park. A visitor center has exhibits and videos about the park’s plants and wildlife. Inquire at the ranger station for more details. Fishermen can also catch ospreys, which are also a bathing destination within the park, and freshwater and saltwater fish can be caught in the streams. View campsite map, availability, and reserve online with ReserveAmerica. Paddles and life jackets are included with watercraft rental; please call the park for more information. Birding and wildlife viewing area also really nice here. Oscar Scherer State Park is located on US 41, 2 miles south of Osprey, FL. Guided canoe trips are offered every Wednesday and a night paddle is offered once a month. Featuring multiple trails for various age groups, trick-or-treating, interactive games and the Nokomis Fire Department's infamous Haunted House. The clean, accessible restrooms have hot showers and laundry facilities. Come out and take a look to see if we are a good fit for you. Primitive camping and youth camping sites are also available. South Creek is a tidal black water stream that flows through the park. Find Out More - Get Involved friendsofoscarscherer.com. We offer year-round youth programming for both individuals and groups. Heading north on I-75 take exit 195. 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. Traveling south from Tampa on I-75, take exit 200 (old 36) to US 41. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. When all the clues are found, photos can be submitted to the Facebook page, where they will be posted. The park provides opportunities for canoeing, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, bicycling, camping and wildlife viewing. Fifteen miles of trails provide solitude, beauty, challenge and a healthy adventure for everyone. Please review individual park pages for specific information for each location. Bicycling The park offers several marked trails with a combined length of approximately 15 miles. Oscar Scherer State Park Full Facility Camping Oscar Scherer State Park is a Seasonal Camping Park. South Creek provides an opportunity to catch saltwater species. Dioramas, videos, displays and touch table enlighten the senses and help visitors learn more about the park. Located in a fairly densely populated area between Venice and Sarasota on the Florida gulf coast, you would... Added: 2/14/2015. Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under. Enjoy a stroll on the quarter-mile walk around Lake Osprey to a 12 mile walk on the paved Legacy Trail. Pick up a bird list and explore the over 200 species of birds that live or frequent the park. This three-acre freshwater lake has a sandy beach front and is located at the Lake Osprey Picnic Area. Contact the Statewide Information Line: It’s fed by an artesian spring, so the water doesn’t stagnate. The park provides opportunities for canoeing, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, bicycling, camping and wildlife viewing. Oscar Scherer State Park is located on U.S. 41, six miles south of Sarasota. It has a wheelchair accessible fishing dock, butterfly observation area and drinking fountain. Bald eagles nest here in the winter and in the summer Lake Osprey attracts anglers, swimmers and kayakers. The park offers two launch areas. Service animals are welcome in all areas and buildings of the park, as required by law. The park span 1,381 acres and is a bird watcher’s haven. Find Oscar Scherer State Park camping, campsites, cabins, and other lodging options. With 1382 acres comprised of pine flatwoods, a blackwater stream called South Creek, and two freshwater lakes, Oscar Scherer State Park is no exception. Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through, Canoe and Kayak Rentals $15 + tax per hour ($16.05). Canoe or kayak rentals are possible, but motorboats are not allowed outside the park boundaries. Florida, Locations Comments Off on Camping in West Florida: Oscar Scherer State Park Camping at Oscar Scherer State Park offers full-facility campsites for tent campers as well as RV campers. The boardwalk will be fully ADA compliant and will provide both a fishing pier and a general recreation focus for the park. A fishing dock located off of the Lester Finley Trail is a great place to fish. Oscar Scherer State Park is located six miles south of Sarasota, in Osprey, FL. Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. Our Nature Center is open for visitors from 10 am to 3 pm most days and includes an interpretive exhibit. In addition to viewing wildlife, an array of other land-based and water-based recreational activities awaits you. The South Creek Picnic Area and Lake Osprey Picnic Area each provide visitors with picnic tables, charcoal grills, pavilions, and a playground. View details about online payments, park  and campground closures, park programs/events and facial coverings. Oscar Scherer State Park 's award-winning Lester Finley Barrier-Free Nature Trail--the first ADA-compliant hiking trail in the state park system when it was built by the all-volunteer Friends of Oscar Scherer in 1996--is a half-mile path meandering through a … These requirements vary from area to area. 1843 S. Tamiami Trail. Please do not enter this protected area. There is always something to do at Oscar Scherer State Park. Fifteen miles of trails provide solitude, beauty, challenge and a healthy adventure for everyone. Visitors will take a picture of the clue they locate. Paddlers can rent canoes or kayaks for $15 per hour and paddle out onto South Creek (January 2020 prices). Campfires are allowed in the campground but only in the "ground grill" provided. The Nature Center is equipped with a kitchen, folding tables, chairs, and a sound system. Oscar Scherer State Park. Throughout Oscar Scherer State Park you’ll find pavilions, picnic tables and charcoal grills, a canoe launch and fishing dock. Be sure to pick up an animal list and hiking trail map upon entering the park and ask a Park Ranger for more information on wildlife observation. Campsites are available for tent or RV camping with complete hook-ups for electric and water. Guided tours are unavailable. Keep in mind that there are no restrooms or shelters on the trail. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Oscar Scherer State Park is a hidden oasis on the Florida Gulf Coast. Oscar Scherer is a hidden gem surrounded by housing developments and major highways, and the park plays an invaluable role in the preservation of Florida scrub-jay habitat. Collecting of firewood is not allowed, however campers can bring in their own firewood or obtain it at the Ranger Station for a donation to the park's Citizen Support Organization the Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Inc., whose members work at keeping firewood available. The Legacy trail is a 12 mile paved trail from the beaches of Venice North to Sarasota with the park located directly in the middle. You may want to wear good hiking shoes, bring drinking water, wear a hat, and use sunscreen and insect repellent. But there’s way more to see and do here than just spot eagles or the endangered Florida Scrub Jay. The ranger station has a touchless cash box available for day use entries if paying with exact cash. Traveling north from Ft. … Pets are allowed in this park's campground and visitor recreation areas. Oscar Scherer State Park is a great option instead of going to the beach. We will continue to review operations on a daily basis and make additional operational changes as may be deemed necessary for protection of public health. The boardwalk will allow fishermen to take advantage of the deeper waters of the lake. The park has full-facility campsites and a youth/group camp area. The creek begins north of the park and is formed by rainfall and freshwater run-off and eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land use ethics should be followed. Please, never leave campfires unattended and extinguish them completely with water before vacating the site. The trail will be closed from bench 14 to the eagle viewing station. We lead hikes and Junior Ranger programs, tram tours and field trips. The park is well known for its population of Florida Scrub Jays which can be found throughout the park's scrubby flatwoods plant community. The boardwalk will be fully ADA compliant and will provide both a fishing pier and a general recreation focus for the park. The center showcases the park's scrubby flatwoods, home of the Florida Scrub Jay, Gopher Tortoise, and Eastern Indigo Snake. Each of the five bathhouses in the Family Campground are equipped with restrooms and hot water showers, and are for registered campers only. Open most days from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. To find out if the center will be open during your visit call the Ranger Station at (941) 483-5956 . Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey: See 316 reviews, articles, and 180 photos of Oscar Scherer State Park, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 14 attractions in Osprey. The park provides opportunities for canoeing, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, bicycling, camping and wildlife viewing. Oscar Scherer is a hidden gem surrounded by housing developments and major highways, and the park plays an invaluable role in the preservation of Florida scrub-jay habitat. © Copyright 2020 © Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Florida state parks provide habitat for many rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. The donations are used to help support the park through special projects and improvements to park facilities. The lake is also open for fishing; however, fishing is not permitted in the designated, roped-off swimming area. Florida State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. Try both freshwater and saltwater fishing from the creek banks, or anglers can fish the shores of Lake Osprey, which is also the park’s swimming destination. 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