Oscar Scherer State Park might not be the first place people talk about when planning a Florida adventure, but after spending three days there, I can say it offers a lot more than you’d expect. It’s tucked between Sarasota and the Gulf, surrounded by neighborhoods, yet filled with quiet trails, peaceful paddling, and a surprising amount of wildlife.
We didn’t stay overnight, but we explored plenty—and I left thinking a glamping trip here would be perfect next time. If you’re thinking about checking it out, this guide has everything you need to know before you go.
Table of Contents
- Quick Facts About Oscar Scherer State Park
- What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Oscar Scherer State Park?
- How Long will it Take to Visit Oscar Scherer?
- Do you Need Reservations for Oscar Scherer State Park?
- Are Dogs Allowed at Oscar Scherer?
- Does Oscar Scherer Provide Guided Tours?
- Is There a Playground at Oscar Scherer?
- Can You Paddle Oscar Scherer State Park?
- Is there Swimming in Oscar Scherer?
- Is Fishing Allowed at Oscar Scherer State Park?
- Does Oscar Scherer State Park Have a Nature Center?
- Wildlife at Oscar Scherer State Park
- Is there Camping at Oscar Scherer State Park?
- What Hiking is at Oscar Scherer State Park?
- Related Content:
Quick Facts About Oscar Scherer State Park
Location
Oscar Scherer park is located just 30 minutes south of Sarasota, a little over 2.5 hours southwest of Orlando, and about 1 hour south of Tampa. It’s completely surrounded by subdivisions, offering a peaceful natural space right in the middle of development.
The address: 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
Hours and entry fees
Oscar Scherer is open daily from 8 a.m. to sundown, including holidays.
Entry is $5 per vehicle. You can check the Florida State Parks website for current fees and details.
Accessibility Highlights
- Lester Finley Barrier-Free Trail
- Lake Osprey Trail
- Accessible campsites
- Fishing dock
- Paddle launch
- Nature center
- Lake beach access
- Picnic pavilions and benches
- Tram tours available
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Oscar Scherer State Park?
Since Oscar Scherer is in South Florida, it stays warm or hot all year long. I recommend visiting in the fall or winter when the humidity is lower and the temperatures are more comfortable. The park has a lot of sandy, scrubby terrain with limited tree cover. That makes it great in cooler months but pretty harsh in the summer.
It’s also smart to avoid the peak of hurricane season, which falls between August and October. The official season runs from June through November 30. This area is close to the Gulf and has been affected by hurricanes in past years.
How Long will it Take to Visit Oscar Scherer?
Oscar Scherer is great for a day trip, but it also works well for a long weekend or even a longer stay. There are miles of trails to hike, plus plenty of paddling on South Creek and beyond. The park’s location near Sarasota also makes it a good base if you want to mix in some beach time or explore the city.
We visited three days in a row, even though we weren’t staying inside the park. If we had camped there, I know we would’ve spent more time on the trails, tried fishing, and paddled farther out from South Creek. Maybe we would’ve even taken a swim at Lake Osprey.
Do you Need Reservations for Oscar Scherer State Park?
You don’t need a reservation for a regular day visit. Just pay the entrance fee at the gate and enjoy the park.
Reservations are required if you plan to:
- Reserve a pavilion
- Camp or glamp (including furnished glamping tents and regular campsites)
You can book online through the Florida State Parks reservation system or call 1-800-326-3521 to check availability.
Are Dogs Allowed at Oscar Scherer?
Yes, dogs are allowed in the campground and day-use recreation areas. Service animals are welcome throughout the park, including inside buildings.
Dogs are not allowed in the following areas:
- Inside park buildings
- On the Lake Osprey beach or in the lake
- In rented vessels
- In several creekside campsites
All dogs must be on a six-foot hand-held leash, under control at all times, and never left unattended.
Does Oscar Scherer Provide Guided Tours?
Yes, the park offers weekly tram tours along the Green Trail from December through March. You’ll need to register in advance, and details about departure times are posted at the nature center.
There is a small per-person fee for the tram ride, but kids under 6 can ride for free.
Is There a Playground at Oscar Scherer?
Yes, there are actually two playgrounds in the park. One is located at the South Creek Picnic Area, and the other is near the Lake Osprey Picnic Area.
Can You Paddle Oscar Scherer State Park?
Yes, and I put together a full blog post with everything you need to know: How to Paddle Oscar Scherer State Park. It covers launch spots, route options, rentals, conditions, and more.
For a quick snapshot: There are two paddle craft launches inside the park—one at the South Creek Picnic Area with an accessible dock, and another more primitive option near the ranger station. Both are for non-motorized vessels only. You can bring your own gear or rent a paddleboard or kayak using a simple QR code system at the main launch.
We paddled South Creek from inside the park and didn’t go beyond it. The water was calm and peaceful, with shaded stretches upstream and more open sections as you head downstream toward the edge of the park.
If you want the full breakdown, including tips, safety notes, and detailed route ideas, head to the guide.
Is there Swimming in Oscar Scherer?
Yes, visitors can swim in Lake Osprey. It’s a three-acre freshwater lake with a beach, a path all the way around, and a fishing pier. The Lake Osprey Picnic Area also has nearby restrooms, showers, and a picnic area, making it a convenient spot to cool off and relax.
Is Fishing Allowed at Oscar Scherer State Park?
Yes, the park offers both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Lake Osprey is stocked with catfish, and you might also catch bream, bluegill, or largemouth bass. For saltwater fishing, head to South Creek, where there’s a fishing dock along the Lester Finley Trail. It’s a popular spot for casting a line in brackish water.
Does Oscar Scherer State Park Have a Nature Center?
It sure does! The nature center is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
- Hands-on activities and displays about local wildlife
- A special area just for kids
- Knowledgeable volunteers who are happy to chat and answer questions
- A few basic souvenirs and snacks—think patches, t-shirts, stickers, and a small selection of drinks and treats
Bathrooms and a water fountain are nearby, making it an easy stop during your visit.
My teen kids and I really enjoyed the wildlife search activity. They had a display showing the scrub habitat and a list of animals to find in the diorama. It was surprisingly tricky—even for teens who know this ecosystem well. Younger kids will still be able to spot some of the easier ones, so it’s a great activity for a range of ages. It’s not the most high-tech space, but the quality of the info and experience makes it absolutely worth a stop.
If you’re there on a weekend, don’t skip it. It’s a fun, low-key way to learn more about the park’s wildlife, and it’s a nice indoor break from the sun.
Wildlife at Oscar Scherer State Park
We visited in late April and saw a lot of wildlife. Mornings and evenings were cool, but mid-day got pretty hot, even with a breeze. We spent three days exploring the park, and as expected, the wildlife was most active during the cooler parts of the day.
Florida Scrub-Jay
Oscar Scherer has a healthy population of Florida scrub jays thanks to its large areas of scrub habitat. There’s even a short half-mile trail called the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail, where visitors have a good chance of spotting these curious, vocal birds.
We hit the trail a little later than planned, but it didn’t take long to find them. We saw five scrub jays, all in the same large oak tree—which surprised us. In the past, we’ve seen them in more scrubby areas or the occasional short pine.
Three of the jays were interacting with a crow, and we couldn’t tell who was bothering who. Was it a territory dispute? Was the crow the aggressor? Or maybe the jays were trying to drive it out?
Normally, scrub jays are in small family groups, often with one bird keeping watch, but this felt different. Maybe it started that way and more jays showed up for backup. We’ll never know for sure, but it was fascinating to watch.
Echo Moth Caterpillars
We also saw dozens of fast-moving fuzzy caterpillars on roads, trails, and sidewalks. These were echo moth caterpillars—black with white and orange markings—and they zipped around with surprising speed.
I had to look them up afterward since I’d never seen so many at once. They’re found throughout North America, but this was the first time I’d noticed them in such big numbers.
They actually made us laugh. Driving through the park turned into an obstacle course: swerve left, then right, just trying not to run them over. If you visit during caterpillar season, definitely slow down and keep an eye out.
Gopher Tortoise
The gopher tortoise is another key resident here. It’s a keystone species that creates burrows other animals use for shelter and survival.
On one of our hikes along the Scrub-Jay Trail, we spotted a tiny gopher tortoise crossing the path. I squealed with excitement and accidentally startled it. It froze mid-step and tucked into its shell right in the middle of the trail.
We gave it space and carefully walked around. It didn’t move while we were there, and we didn’t stick around long. It didn’t need us watching to finish what it was doing, and we were probably the only interruption it had that day.
Is there Camping at Oscar Scherer State Park?
Yes, there’s traditional camping and also glamping options.
We didn’t stay overnight since we were visiting family nearby, but now I’m thinking a glamping trip here would be amazing. Some close friends of ours camped here with their pop-up camper and kids, and they had a great time.
There are 104 campsites available for tents and RVs, each with electric and water hookups. The maximum RV length allowed is 16 feet.
The glamping tents are 320 square feet and include:
- A coffee maker with K-cups
- Mini fridge
- Ceiling fan, lamps, rugs, and a diffuser
- Electrical outlets with A/C and heating units
- Fire pit, charcoal grill, string lights
- Two camp chairs, a picnic table, and a hammock
We didn’t get to explore the campground ourselves, since that area is only open to overnight guests. The only glimpses we had were from the water, where we could spot a few campsites along South Creek while paddling.
What Hiking is at Oscar Scherer State Park?
There are 11 trails at Oscar Scherer, adding up to more than 15 miles of hiking. Trail lengths range from short 0.25-mile loops to hikes over 10 miles long, so there’s something for all energy levels and timeframes.
I recommend asking for a trail map at the ranger station when you arrive, or checking it out online ahead of time here.
If you’re looking for accessible trails for wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers, check out the Lester Finley Barrier-Free Trail and the Lake Osprey Trail.
| Trail | Length | Marker |
| Lester Finley Trail | 0.5 mile | Brown |
| South Creek Natural Trail | 0.5 mile | Pink |
| Legacy Honore Trail Connection | 0.75 mile | Black |
| Lake Osprey Trail | 0.25 mile | Grey |
| Florida Scrub-Jay Trail* | 0.5 mile | Turquoise |
| Legacy Trail | 10+ mile | Black |
| Yellow Trail | 5 mile | Yellow |
| Blue Trail | 1.5 mile | Blue |
| Red Trail | 1.5 or 2 mile | Red |
| Green Trail | 2 or 3 mile | Green |
| Orange Trail | 0.3 mile | Orange |
