Snorkeling is allowed in Lake Osprey, our fresh water swimming lake. Six marked hiking trails provide visitors an opportunity to explore various remote portions of the park. A bathhouse sits near the parking area. A visitor center has exhibits and videos about the park’s plants and wildlife. Canoe and kaya… Florida State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. Friends of Oscar Scherer Park About Us. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. 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: Address, Phone Number, Oscar Scherer State Park Reviews: 4.5/5 At the Lake Osprey Picnic Area, a bathhouse with inside cold water showers is available to all visitors. Please do not enter this protected area. Best trails in Oscar Scherer State Park, Florida | AllTrails Pets must not be left unattended, nor taken into restroom facilities or onto playground equipment. So bring the friends, bring the family and enjoy an outdoor cookout at these sites (1-104) just south of South Creek. Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey: See 319 reviews, articles, and 188 photos of Oscar Scherer State Park, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 14 attractions in Osprey. The boardwalk will allow fishermen to take advantage of the deeper waters of the lake. Our beautiful picnic areas are host to many weddings each year. Contact the Statewide Information Line: For many years Oscar Scherer State Park has hosted numerous fishing contests, the Kiwanis Fishathon being an annual event. Visitors looking for wildlife will find that early and late in the day are the best times. Both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities are available at the park. A fishing license may be required. Weekly bird walks are also offered. The Nature Center is located adjacent to Lake Osprey and a large picnic area, and a short walk from the campground. Oscar Scherer State Park – Area Recreation. There is always something to do at Oscar Scherer State Park. There is always something to do at Oscar Scherer State Park. Non-campers may also use these showers, however, they must register at the Ranger Station and pay an additional fee. 1843 S. Tamiami Trail. Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under. Service animals are welcome in all areas and buildings of the park, as required by law. Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. The South Creek Picnic Area and Lake Osprey Picnic Area each provide visitors with picnic tables, charcoal grills, pavilions, and a playground. Fore more information, visit the Friends of Oscar Scherer State Park. Inquire at ranger station for more information. For those looking to spend the day on the water, Oscar Scherer State Park is a great place for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. Dioramas, videos, displays and touch table enlighten the senses and help visitors learn more about the park. The picnic tables and grills provide a kitchen away from home. Oscar Scherer State Park Full Facility Camping Oscar Scherer State Park is a Seasonal Camping Park. There are about 15 miles of marked hiking and biking trails. A primitive group camp area is available to rent. There is always something to do at Oscar Scherer State Park. The Park has a variety of outdoor recreation including hiking (over 15 miles of trails), biking, paddling (canoe & kayaking rentals available), fishing, swimming, snorkeling, roller blading and picnicking. Occasionally alligators and otters can be seen taking advantage of the creek's diverse habitat. In addition to viewing wildlife, an array of other land-based and water-based recreational activities awaits you. Guided canoe trips are offered every Wednesday and a night paddle is offered once a month. 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. Please remember that all animals are protected and it is unlawful to harm, harass or feed them. Like all state parks, a few sites are set aside for walk-ups on a first-come, first-serve basis. 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. Visitors will take a picture of the clue they locate. Please use caution will hiking in the park. But there’s way more to see and do here than just spot eagles or the endangered Florida Scrub Jay. Guided canoe trips are offered every Wednesday and a night paddle is offered once a month. Wading birds such as the Great Blue Heron and Little Blue Heron can be seen feeding in the water while Ospreys soar overhead. Throughout Oscar Scherer State Park you’ll find pavilions, picnic tables and charcoal grills, a canoe launch and fishing dock. Campfires may be banned during extremely dry weather conditions. The creek fluctuates with the incoming tide and is brackish (a mixture of fresh and salt water). Personal canoes and kayaks must be carried to the South Creek Picnic Area launch. Oscar Scherer State Park is a 1400 acre park featuring Florida's rare, scrubby flatwoods and the endangered Florida Scrub Jay. Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through, Canoe and Kayak Rentals $15 + tax per hour ($16.05). 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. 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. Also by law, no pets are allowed on the swimming beach or in the lake. Canoe/kayak launch, trails and picnic facilities are available. Oscar Scherer State Park is located on US 41, 2 miles south of Osprey, FL. The Lester Finley Barrier Free Nature Trail, located in South Creek Picnic Area, is accessible to those with sight, hearing or mobility impairments. 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. Paddlers can rent canoes or kayaks for $15 per hour and paddle out onto South Creek. Restroom availability may be limited. Scavenger hint sheets will be available at the ranger station or on the Friends of Oscar Scherer State Park Facebook page. Several guided tours of the park are offered throughout the year. Bicycling The park offers several marked trails with a combined length of approximately 15 miles. Pets (other than service animals) are not permitted in any of the restroom facilities. Please view our events for more information. Boat and picnic pavilion rentals are currently unavailable. The park is well known for its population of Florida Scrub Jays which can be found throughout the park's scrubby flatwoods plant community. Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey, FL - January 2014 Like every other Florida State Park we have been to, Oscar Scherer SP is terrific. Canoes, single kayaks and double kayaks are currently available for rent and are launched from our ADA accessible South Creek Picnic Area. The FOSP is a 501c3 non-profit organization; officially designated a CSO – Citizen Support Organization – by the Department of Environmental Protection. Launching during low tides is difficult. Primitive camping and youth camping sites are also available. Inquire at the ranger station for more details. Each of the five bathhouses in the Family Campground are equipped with restrooms and hot water showers, and are for registered campers only. 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. With over 15 miles of hiking trails and the 12 mile Legacy Trail running through the park, your walking options are wide and varied. Please contact the Ranger Station for additional information, reservations and current rental rates. Event is free with paid park … We offer year-round youth programming for both individuals and groups. © Copyright 2020 © Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. The boardwalk will be fully ADA compliant and will provide both a fishing pier and a general recreation focus for the park. Over 15 miles of hiking trails await you at Oscar Scherer State Park. Please call the park at 941-483-5956 for more information. These amenities include: Accessible campsites; Lester Finley Barrier Free Trail; Lake Osprey Trail; Beach wheelchair; Fishing dock; Canoe/kayak launch; Nature Center; Lake beach access; Videos with closed/open caption; Picnic pavilions and benches; Grills The clean, accessible restrooms have hot showers and laundry facilities. Please, never leave campfires unattended and extinguish them completely with water before vacating the site. Trail map of Oscar Scherer State Park. Fifteen miles of trails provide solitude, beauty, challenge and a healthy adventure for everyone. Osprey, FL 34229 (941) 483-5956 Keep in mind that there are no restrooms or shelters on the trail. They must be well-behaved and kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash at all times. Several campsites along the creek are not pet friendly due to their proximity to the water. 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. Located in a fairly densely populated area between Venice and Sarasota on the Florida gulf coast, you would... Added: 2/14/2015. Oscar Scherer State Park is home to several Geocache locations. One third of this two acre lake has a sandy beach. The park provides opportunities for canoeing, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, bicycling, camping and wildlife viewing. The Nature Centre in the park has exhibits and videos about the natural communities within the park. The lake is stocked with catfish as part of the urban fisheries program sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The trail will be closed from bench 14 to the eagle viewing station. South Creek provides an opportunity to catch saltwater species. Make sure to request a trail map when entering the park. There are seven ADA accessible sites, with aprons for parking and concrete slabs for grill and table. Oscar Scherer State Park is located six miles south of Sarasota, in Osprey, FL. Surrounded by urban sprawl, Oscar Scherer State Park is an unexpected oasis providing visitors with a refreshing escape into natural Florida. From I-75 South take exit 35B.For more information, contact: Oscar Scherer State Park. South Creek Picnic Area has a restroom, small pavilion and a canoe launch. Canoeists and kayakers can paddle along South Creek, a tidal blackwater stream, which flows to a nearby bay. 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. The Haunted Trails at Oscar Scherer State Park is an event that is fun for the whole family. The ranger station has a touchless cash box available for day use entries if paying with exact cash. 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. View details about online payments, park and campground closures, park programs/events and facial coverings. We operate under usual non-profit guidelines but have DEP oversight, due to our affiliation to a state park. Pets are allowed in this park's campground and visitor recreation areas. The park offers two launch areas. It has a wheelchair accessible fishing dock, butterfly observation area and drinking fountain. From I-75 North, take exit 36. Mangrove trees, Giant Leather Fern, and Cabbage Palms are a few of the plant species that can be seen growing along the edge of the creek. All other park facilities are closed. This site offers a composting toilet, running water and enough space to accomodate up to 40 people. Oscar Scherer State Park is located on U.S. 41, six miles south of Sarasota. Oscar Scherer State Park is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities to all of our visitors. The Legacy Trail runs directly through the heart of Oscar Scherer State Park. Paddlers can rent canoes or kayaks for $15 per hour and paddle out onto South Creek (January 2020 prices). The Nature Center at Lake Osprey has interpretative exhibits about the Park. Lake Osprey is a perfect place to cool off during the hot summer days. We lead hikes and Junior Ranger programs, tram tours and field trips. Enjoy a stroll on the quarter-mile walk around Lake Osprey to a 12 mile walk on the paved Legacy Trail. Canoeing South Creek is one of the more popular recreational activities available at the park. The park span 1,381 acres and is a bird watcher’s haven. Other species of wildlife including bobcats, Bald Eagles, gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer, Eastern cotton-tail rabbits, raccoons and American alligators can be seen at times in different areas of the park. 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