Oscar Scherer State Park Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations available. Due to drought conditions, Sarasota County has issued a burn ban prohibiting campfires; charcoal grills and propane stoves may be used for cooking only. Laundry machines are temporarily unavailable.

About

Oscar Scherer State Park Campground offers 104 campsites with electric and water hookups in a diverse 1,382-acre preserve of pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and blackwater creek habitat. The park is renowned as a refuge for the endangered Florida scrub-jay, Florida's only endemic bird species, along with gopher tortoises, bald eagles, and other wildlife. All campsites include picnic tables and grills, with seven ADA-accessible sites featuring concrete pads and parking aprons. Five bathhouses provide hot showers and restroom facilities exclusively for registered campers, and laundry facilities are available in the campground. The campground serves as an ideal base for outdoor recreation. Fifteen miles of interconnected trails wind through scrub and pine flatwoods, with numbered benches for navigation and rest. The park sits at the midpoint of the Legacy Trail, a 12-mile paved path connecting Venice beaches to Sarasota, making it popular with cyclists and runners. Lake Osprey, Sarasota County's only freshwater swimming lake, features a sandy beach and fishing opportunities for bass, bluegill, and catfish. South Creek, a tidal blackwater estuary lined with mangroves and palms, attracts paddlers and anglers seeking saltwater species. The Nature Center near Lake Osprey offers interpretive exhibits about the park's unique ecosystems and wildlife.

Directions

Located at 1843 S. Tamiami Trail in Osprey, Florida. The park is situated between Sarasota and Venice along US Highway 41.

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