Manager's Message
It is quiet in the park. A perfect time to visit.
On the first two Thursdays of the month, the Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Inc. and local Audubon Club members will be hosting Guided Bird Walks in the park.
Saturday, December 5th. Come and enjoy the FUN AND RECYCLING EVENT at Oscar Scherer State Park. Presented by the Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Inc. starting at 8AM, the gate opens and the biggest yard sale in park history begins! Live Folk music, face painting, hot dogs & ice cream. Park admission is free for shoppers. Info: 941-483-5956
"Spend a Morning with the Scrub-Jays - A Unique Central Florida Experience." Sunday mornings, 8:30 am. Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey. Tour also includes a nature walk with one of our volunteers or staff. Learn about Oscar Scherer's unique ecosystems, native plants, and wildlife.
If you enjoy hard work and satisfying results, volunteer for a day, a week, or more as you participate in natural resource management and special events at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Right now, early morning and late afternoon are the best times to enjoy the park's quiet,relaxing atmosphere. So why not stop in and enjoy a walk on one of Oscar Scherer State Park's trails? They offer a view of the park few venture out to see.
If you are looking for animals, then early and late in the day are the best times to be here.
The mosaic of colors, the diversity of plants and animal species, these are what makes nature (and the park) so spectacular, and it's due to the use of prescribed fire; a necessary tool for land managers. You can see the many changes in the landscape after the burn season.
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.
Check out the program schedule on our CSO's new website, Friends of Oscar Scherer.com, a link is provided below. There's always something to do at Oscar Scherer State Park. We look forward to seeing you soon.
DECEMBER 5 "FUN AND RECYCLING" comes to Oscar Scherer. This will be a community event where many organizations will be holding flea market sales to raise funds and the awareness of a need to recycle. Call for more information.
Please visit the
- John J. Roche, Park Manager
Welcome to Oscar Scherer State Park
A large acreage of scrubby flatwoods 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 these beautiful natural areas provide opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and wildlife viewing. Canoeists and 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. Located on U.S. 41, two miles south of Osprey.
New Audio Tour Feature: A new Mobile Phone Audio Tour Spotlights Local Watersheds. Easily accessed from any cell phone, the Watershed Mobile Phone Audio Tour is the first of its kind in Sarasota County. By dialing (941) 926-6813, you can hear up to 15 different educational messages about watersheds (Oscar Scherer is #9.) While you can listen to a message from anywhere, visiting the sites listed on the menu provides an up-close and personal experience.
Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Oscar Scherer State Park, please call 941-483-5956.
Get more information on making a reservation.
Hours of Operation
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
Admission Fee:
$5.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
$4.00 Sunset Entrance.
Picnic Pavilion Rental Fees:
$30.00 per day, plus tax: small pavilion.
$60.00 per day, plus tax: large pavilion.
Youth Area: $2.00 per person.
Camping Fee:
$26.00 per night, plus tax. Includes water and electricity.
$2.00 per person, per night, plus tax: youth area.
Other Fees:
$10.00 Dump Station, non-registered campers. Does not include park entrance fee.
$10.00 Overnight Parking/Overflow: $10.00, only when campground is full.
$5.00 per hour or $25.00 per day Canoe Rental
Oscar Scherer State Park
1843 S. Tamiami Trail
Osprey, Florida 34229
Phone: 941-483-5956
Fax: 941-480-3007
Citizen Support Organization
Friends of Oscar Scherer Park,Inc.
1843 S. Tamiami Trail
Osprey, FL 34229
CSO News Letter
