About 30-45 minutes north of Port Charlotte, in Osprey FL, there is a very nice park - Oscar Scherer Park. To let you know a little about it:
You can volunteer for a day, a week, or more and can participate in natural resource management and special events at Oscar Scherer State Park. Check out the Volunteer Information page.
It's summer, so when visiting the park be sure to be prepared for the hot, humid, and rainy weather patterns we have been experiencing. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen so you can enjoy your visit and the memory of the time spent outdoors. Don't forget water for your pets too! Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to enjoy the park for wildlife viewing.
You can see many changes in the landscape after the burn season. The park is actively involved in a new burn season. Please accept that this is vital to the environment and when out in the park be careful with fire. Ask at the Ranger Station about resource management activities that are in progress.
How about a real adventure? Wednesday mornings you can accompany a ranger on a guided canoe trip on South Creek. Or just enjoy the sunshine on the beach at Lake Osprey.
Our Citizen Support Organization has put together a wonderful annual overview of life in the park. Please select the following link to see A Year in the Life of a Park.
There's always something to do at Oscar Scherer State Park. In an effort to better serve the public, they have a camping & cabin reservation system and to make reservations, call ReserveAmerica at (800) 326-3521, (866) I CAMP FL, TDD (888) 433-0287 or visit ReserveAmerica. Also, visit the Park Information page for important changes to the overnight accommodation policy.
A little about Oscar Scherer State Park
There is a large acreage of scrubby flatwoods which makes this park one of the best places to see Florida scrub-jays, a threatened species found only in Florida. The park protects scrubby and pine flatwoods that were once widespread throughout Sarasota County. Fifteen miles of trails through this beautiful natural area provides opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and wildlife viewing. Canoeists & kayakers can paddle along South Creek, a blackwater stream that flows to the Gulf of Mexico. Canoe and kayak rentals are available, but motorized boats are not permitted in the park boundaries. Freshwater and saltwater fishing are available along the creek. Anglers can fish along the shores of Lake Osprey, which is also the park´s swimming destination. Picnic areas along South Creek are equipped with grills; pavilions can be reserved for a fee. The park has full-facility campsites and a youth/group campground. The park nature center has exhibits and videos about the park´s natural communities. It is located on U.S. 41, two miles south of Osprey at 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL.
Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries. For Information about Oscar Scherer State Park, please call 941-483-5956 or Fax 941-480-3007. All Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.
Driving Directions
Oscar Scherer State Park is located on U.S.41, six miles south of Sarasota. Heading south on I-75 take exit 200. Heading north on I-75 take exit 195.
Park Fees
Park Entrance: $4.00 per vehicle for up to 8 people.
Family Entrance Pass: $85.60.
Individual Entrance Pass: $42.80.
Dump Station: $6.42 + entrance fees of $4.00.
Sunset Entrance: $3.00.
Overnight Parking/Overflow: $12.10, only when campground is full.
Camping Fee: $24.42 per night
Small Pavilion: $32.10
Large Pavilion: $64.20
Youth Area: $2.00 per person.
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