State Park

Oscar Scherer State Park

Sarasota County, FloridaAbout 1,396 acresEstablished 1956
Status
Open (per official listing)
Entrance fee
Statewide rule — see below
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Not stated — check with park
Camping
108 campsites
Official site
floridastateparks.org(941) 483-5956

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Overview

Covering about 1,396 acres, Oscar Scherer State Park lies in Sarasota County, about 5 miles northwest of Venice.

The park supports historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, wildlife watching, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Overnight options include 108 campsites across 6 camping areas, with tent sites.

Fees and passes

Varies by park (mostly per vehicle; some per person/pedestrian/cyclist; some free).

Statewide fee rule from Florida's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
Florida State Parks Reservation System (UseDirect / Tyler 'RDR' platform)

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Camping

Campground or site typeSitesHookups / featuresPrice
P202020 with water—
Volunteer
Restricted use: Volunteer
44 with water—
P351515 with water—
P 673232 with water—
P10466 with water—
NP983131 with water—
Camping details from the park

P20: 20 site(s) (20 with water) — RV/Tent, Back-In, Tent, Trailer, Bus, Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Large Tent (9x12), Pop up, RV/Motorhome, Tent-Trailer, Truck/SUV/Van Volunteer: 4 site(s) (4 with water) — Volunteer P35: 15 site(s) (15 with water) — RV/Tent, RV, Back-In, Tent, Trailer, Bus, Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Large Tent (9x12), Pop up, RV/Motorhome, Tent-Trailer, Truck/SUV/Van, Trailer, RV/Motorhome P 67: 32 site(s) (32 with water) — RV, RV/Tent, Back-In, Trailer, RV/Motorhome, Tent, Trailer, Bus, Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Large Tent (9x12), Pop up, RV/Motorhome, Tent-Trailer, Truck/SUV/Van P104: 6 site(s) (6 with water) — RV, Pull-Thru, Trailer, RV/Motorhome NP98: 31 site(s) (31 with water) — RV/Tent, Back-In, Tent, Trailer, Bus, Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Large Tent (9x12), Pop up, RV/Motorhome, Tent-Trailer, Truck/SUV/Van

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Things to do

Wildlife viewing and birdingCampingCanoeing and kayakingFishingHikingBikingPicnickingSwimmingHistoric sites and tours

Trails

TrailLengthDifficultyNotes
Green Trail2.33 mi—HikingBikingNatural surface
South Creek Nature Trail0.45 mi—HikingNatural surface
Lester Finley Trail0.42 mi—HikingNatural surface
White Trail0.27 mi—HikingBikingNatural surface
Yellow Trail3.78 mi—HikingBikingNatural surface
Blue Trail0.97 mi—HikingBikingNatural surface
Red Trail2.11 mi—HikingBikingNatural surface
The Legacy Trail3.05 mi—OtherPaved surface
Lake Osprey Trail0.32 mi—HikingNatural surface
Oscar Scherer State Park Paddling Trail1.05 mi—PaddlingWater surface
Trail descriptions from the park

Green Trail (Hiking, Biking) — 2.33 mi, Natural South Creek Nature Trail (Hiking) — 0.45 mi, Natural Lester Finley Trail (Hiking) — 0.42 mi, Natural White Trail (Hiking, Biking) — 0.27 mi, Natural Yellow Trail (Hiking, Biking) — 3.78 mi, Natural Blue Trail (Hiking, Biking) — 0.97 mi, Natural Red Trail (Hiking, Biking) — 2.11 mi, Natural The Legacy Trail (Other) — 3.05 mi, Paved Lake Osprey Trail (Hiking) — 0.32 mi, Natural Oscar Scherer State Park Paddling Trail (Paddling) — 1.05 mi, Water

Swimming

Swimming Area

Boating and paddling

Canoeing/Kayaking; Paddling Trail; Canoe/Kayak Launch

Fishing

Fishing Area

A state fishing license is usually required.

Amenities

Facilities

  • Restrooms
  • Picnic shelters
  • Playground
  • Visitor center
  • Nature center or museum
  • Parking

Water

  • Swimming beach
  • Boat ramp

Camping

  • Tent camping

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Getting there

Address
1843 S. Tamiami Trail
Osprey, FL 34229
Nearest town
Venice — about 5 mi northwest (straight line)
Coordinates
27.1704, -82.4758
Phone
(941) 483-5956

Entrances

  • Main Entrance

Google Maps directionsApple Maps

Nearby state parks

Myakka River State Park
10.9 mi northeast (straight line)
Stump Pass Beach State Park
19.5 mi southeast (straight line)
Lake Manatee State Park
22.5 mi north (straight line)
Don Pedro Island State Park
24.1 mi southeast (straight line)
Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
24.5 mi north (straight line)
Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological Site
28.2 mi north (straight line)
Wingate Creek State Park
28.4 mi northeast (straight line)
Terra Ceia Preserve State Park
29 mi north (straight line)

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

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