Nestled in the middle of urban housing and commercial zones, you would not expect much from Oscar Scherer State Park. But this large 1400-acre park offers a safe haven for many native species, as well as for those of us that want to enjoy the best that Florida’s natural ecosystems have to offer. 

In this article, I will highlight the 5 best things to do in the park. I will also provide a camping guide so that you can be prepared when you attempt to book a campsite for your family getaway.

This post may contain affiliate links. Visit the Disclaimer page for more information.

Big lake at Oscar Scherer State Park and the words "5 Best Things to do at Oscar Scherer State Park Florida + Campground Guide"

5 Best Things to do at Oscar Scherer State Park

Oscar Scherer State Park offers opportunities to do several outdoor activities, making this a great family destination.

Hiking

With over 15 miles of hiking trails, Oscar Scherer State Park will certainly keep you plenty busy during your stay. 

Short Nature Trails

Lester Finley Trail at Oscar Scherer State Park
Lester Finley Trail

The South Creek Nature Trail and the Lester Finley trail are two trails that are close to the entrance and the campground. At around 1 mile each, these are some of the shorter trails in the park. Both trails edge the north bank of South Creek. 

South Creel Trail at Oscar Scherer State Park
South Creek Trail

They are also shady and level, making them accessible to families with jogging strollers and/or wheelchairs. The Lester Finley trail is probably the most accessible trail, as the path is completely flat and made of densely packed shells. 

Long Nature Trails

Sandy paths in the Yellow Trail at Oscar Scherer State Park
Sandy paths in the Yellow Trail

In addition to the short trails, this park has a web of longer trails that take you through many areas of the park. If you have the time, going through all of the trails will allow you to explore the ecosystems that Oscar Scherer spans!

These longer trails are named by colors, and they vary in length from 1.5 miles (Blue Trail) to 5 miles (Yellow Trail). Also, the hiking trails have benches spaced out throughout the path, offering many points to get some rest, hydrate, and maybe even get a snack!

Because these trails span different ecosystems, there are areas that are not shaded. This makes it imperative to have good sun protection!

These longer trails are loops, with the longer ones offering cutoff points to make the hike shorter. For example, we were able to cover the shorter loop of the Yellow Trail. This allowed us to explore the Big Lake and hike through a beautiful slash pine forest. The trail was a bit sandy at different points, making it difficult and tiring. Keep that in mind if you will be hiking with little kids or other people not used to hiking through difficult terrain. 

Biking

Legacy Trail by the old railroad at Oscar Scherer State Park
Legacy Trail by the old railroad

The Legacy Trail is one of the features Oscar Scherer State Park is well known for. It is a 10 mile, paved trail that begins at McIntosh Road in Sarasota, FL and ends at the Historic Venice Train Depot in Venice, FL. 

This is one of many trails that use to be a railroad and has now been repurposed to be a nature trail. This multi-use trail is ideal for jogging, biking, and rollerblading. 

Legacy Trail at Oscar Scherer State Park
Legacy Trail is nicely paved but not shaded for the most part

Of note, while there are shady portions of the trail, it is fairly open. We found the trail to be more enjoyable in the earlier hours of the day or near sunset to avoid the harsh sun conditions. Also, the trail is straight, and while it offers some views of natural areas, it also goes through residential areas once it is out of Oscar Scherer State Park.

There are multiple entry points, which makes it easy to pick a route that works for you. In Oscar Scherer State Park, the Yellow Trail connects you to the Legacy Trail from Lake Osprey. There are also multiple shaded benches and rest points along the trail. 

Swimming

Lake Osprey at Oscar Scherer State Park
Lake Osprey

Lake Osprey offers a nice option to cool off if you are camping during the year’s warmer times. There is a designated swimming area that is rather shallow, making this a great place for little ones to enjoy a day of splashing around.

When we visited, we were the only ones in the lake. The water was clear and inviting. However, the sediment is quite loose and churns easily, so I am sure during popular times the water probably looks mucky. 

If you have any experience with Florida ecosystems, I know the question that may be bouncing in your head right now: Are there alligators in the lake? Well, it is a freshwater lake, so alligator presence is not necessarily unexpected. The lake is small and it is monitored for alligator activity. If the activity is concerning, the park will close the lake. Make sure you check with the ranger station before planning your visit.

If Lake Osprey is closed and you need to cool off, then head to the beach! The location of the park is phenomenal in that Nokomis Public Beach is a mere 15 minutes away by car!

Related: Lake Manatee State Park – Small Package, Big Camping Fun

Fishing

Kayak/canoe launch at Oscar Scherer State Park
Kayak/canoe launch

At Oscar Scherer State Park you will have the opportunity to fish for saltwater or freshwater fish. If you camp by the South Creek, then you will be able to fish right off of your site! There is also a small deck on the South Creek that you can fish from. Additionally, you can fish at Lake Osprey or from the small dock found at Lester Finley Trail.

Kayaking and Canoeing

Kayak Rentals at Oscar Scherer State Park

The brackish waters of South Creek offer a wild paddling experience at Oscar Scherer State Park. The creek levels change with the tide, and it wades through a mix of mangrove trees and cabbage palms.

You can bring your own kayak, or you can rent a kayak or canoe at the park. Rentals are not always available, so make sure you call the ranger station before heading over

Other Activities

Playground in the South Creek Picnic Area at Oscar Scherer State Park

The South Creek picnic area is a gorgeous space shaded by oak trees. There are picnic pavilions and a nice kids’ playground. The kayak launch is also located in this area.

Oscar Scherer State Park Campground Guide

Snapshot of important camping information for Oscar Scherer State Park
Click the image for a higher resolution! (opens in new window)

Feel free to use the code below to share this infographic on your website!

<p><strong>Please include attribution to APragmaticLens.com with this graphic.</strong><br /><br /><a href='https://apragmaticlens.com/oscar-scherer-state-park/'><img src='https://ml0cur3zhy5j.i.optimole.com/w:auto/h:auto/q:mauto/ig:avif/f:best/https://apragmaticlens.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Oscar-Scherer-State-Park-Info.jpg' alt='Snapshot of important camping information for Oscar Scherer State Park' width='800px' border='0' /></a></p>

Directions to Oscar Scherer State Park

Oscar Scherer State Park is located in Osprey, FL, which is just outside of Sarasota. If you are coming from the north on i75, you will get off in exit 200, heading west on FL-681. Once you get to US-41, you will head north until you find the entrance to the park. If you are coming from the south on i75, get off on exit 195 (Laurel Rd E) and head west until you get to US-41. Head north until you arrive at Oscar Scherer State Park.

The address is 1843 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey FL 34229. The phone number is 941-483-5956.

The Campground and Campsites

The Campground at Oscar Scherer State Park

Checking in at the park was easy, except that they require that you park your vehicle and go into the office to complete the process. Luckily, there are a couple of spots designated for RVs to park while you complete the check-in. You can use this opportunity to remove sway bars or unhook any towed vehicles you may be bringing. 

After checking in, you will drive about ¾ of a mile until you get to the turn to the campground. The road is paved all throughout and in fairly good condition. 

Oscar Scherer State Park Campground Map

There are a total of 106 sites arranged around a narrow loop extending east to west. The sites are fairly small, with a handful accommodating a maximum length of 36. A great feature is that site numbers are clearly marked with paint on the pavement.

All sites have 30 amp electricity provided, with a handful being 50amp. While there are no sewer connections on the campsites, there is a single-lane dump station in the campground that is in good condition.

Water is also provided and it has a good amount of pressure, but one big issue we found is that the water connection is quite far. While online it said that 30ft should be enough, that is only if you want to bring your camper as far back as you can. This will make it more difficult to level and take away your camping space. In our case, we ended up needed 70ft of hose! 

The sites themselves are packed dirt, except for the handful of sites that are handicap accessible. If you have a camper, leveling your rig should not be too difficult, at least as far as I could tell. There is a good amount of privacy and shade.

Selecting campsites

Sites bordering the South Creek on the west side of the loop are gorgeous, but due to their size, they are better for small campers and tents. Keep in mind that those sites, namely 70 – 90, do not allow pets. This is due to the proximity to the creek. I would also highly recommend not bringing moving infants and young toddlers that can easily drop into the creek.

A few other great sites for tents include 7, 13, and 16. If you have kids, sites 22 and 23 are great since they are across from the playground. Those sites are also shaded and avoid the harsh afternoon light.

Other Considerations

Wifi and Cell Signal

There is no wifi in the campground, but there is WiFi connection in the visitor center by Lake Osprey. If you need internet in your campsite, make sure you bring your own hotspot. Because Oscar Scherer State Park is so close to civilization you will not have issues with cell signal. My Verizon Hotspot worked well when I was working from the campground.

The Bathhouses and Laundry

There are 5 bathhouses, which is quite impressive for this size of a campground. The bathhouses are simple, but they are clean and in good condition. All bathhouses have a deep sink for washing dishes or clothing. 

Two of the bathhouses also have a washer and drier for laundry. At the time of our visit, the machines looked fairly new and each costs $1.75 for a load. The great thing is that the machines take credit cards! 

Pets

Leashed, well-behaved pets are allowed in the campground except for sites 70-90 due to the proximity to the creek. 

Oscar Scherer State Park FAQs

  • Is there wifi?

There is no wifi across the park, but the visitor center next to Lake Osprey does have Wifi. 

  • Are there cabins for rent?

Oscar Scherer State Park does not have cabins for rent. Check this article for information about cabins in Florida State Parks

  • Is there camping on the beach?

You cannot camp on the beach by Lake Osprey. 

  • Are you allowed to fly a drone?

No, you cannot fly a drone in Oscar Scherer State Park or any Florida state park. For more information on drones in Florida, go here

  • Are ATVs allowed on trails?

No, the trails in Oscar Scherer State Park are only for pedestrian use

Final Thoughts

While living in SouthWest Florida, we have been looking for a campground with a variety of activities relatively close to us. While Collier-Seminole State Park is one of the closest, there are not enough activities for us to warrant visiting multiple times. Oscar Scherer State Park is a gem in the middle of urbanization. It offers a myriad of activities in natural Florida ecosystems, with the advantage of also being extremely close to civilization. It is one of the few parks we expect we will be visiting again!

Sharing is caring! If you found this article useful, don’t forget to share it with family and friends using the share buttons below :)

About The Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top