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Oscar Scherer

Overview

Oscar Scherer State Park offers a refreshing natural escape tucked within the suburban landscape of Osprey. Known primarily as a vital habitat for the endangered Florida scrub-jay, the park preserves a rare ecosystem of scrub and pine flatwoods. RVers will find a peaceful setting where wildlife sightings are common, and the rustle of the palms provides a relaxing backdrop. It serves as a green sanctuary for those looking to experience Florida’s native flora and fauna while remaining close to modern coastal conveniences.

Location & Surroundings

Situated directly along the Gulf Coast between Sarasota and Venice, this park provides the perfect balance of secluded nature and urban access. The property is bisected by South Creek, a blackwater stream that flows toward the Gulf of Mexico. One of the most significant geographic highlights is the park’s direct connection to the Legacy Trail, a paved 18-mile multi-use path that allows cyclists to travel through the region safely away from traffic while enjoying the fresh air.

Amenities & Park Features

The campground features over 100 sites that accommodate both RVs and tents, with most offering electric and water hookups. While sites do not have individual sewer connections, a convenient dump station is available for guests. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and grill, often nestled under a canopy of oaks or pines. Travelers can enjoy modern bathhouses, laundry facilities, and a refreshing swim in the freshwater Lake Osprey, which features its own sandy beach and accessible fishing pier.

Nearby Attractions & Things to Do

Adventure seekers can explore over 15 miles of hiking trails or launch a kayak into South Creek to observe manatees and alligators. Just a short drive away, the famous white sands of Siesta Key Beach offer world-class sunbathing and turquoise waters. History buffs can visit the nearby Historic Spanish Point to learn about the region's prehistoric and pioneer past. For shopping and dining, the charming downtown areas of Venice and Sarasota are easily accessible within a twenty-minute drive.

Who This Park Is Best For

This park is ideal for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers who want to see rare species in their natural habitat. It is a fantastic choice for active RVers who prioritize cycling and hiking due to the direct access to major regional trail systems. Families will appreciate the safe swimming area and the educational ranger programs offered seasonally. If you prefer a quiet, wooded atmosphere over a bustling concrete resort, Oscar Scherer is a perfect fit for your Florida itinerary.

Amenities

- Recreational Facilities

• Lake
• Swimming
• Fishing
• Ramp
• Boat Rental
• Body Of Water (Lake Osprey)
• Playground
• Kayaking/Canoeing

- Policies

• Pets Welcome
• Day Max Stay (14)
• Tent Camping Allowed

- Other Amenities & Services

• Restroom and Showers

- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)

• Fishing
• Hiking
• Boating
• Kayaking/Canoeing
• Marina
• Watersports

- Facility

• Type (State Park)
• Partial Handicap Access

- On-Site Rentals

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- Sites

• Spaces Available (97)
• Width (25)
• Max Length (36)
• 30 Amp
• 50 Amp
• Dirt Sites (97)
• Water (97)
• Electric (97)
• Max Amps (50)
• Pull-thrus (6)
• Pull-thru Size (25 x 36)
• Back-ins (40 x 36)
• Site Length (36)
• Fire Rings

User Reviews

Ramon Rodriguez

November 08, 2025

Nice State Park with hiking, walking and cycling trails, cheap admission fees. Plenty of native plants and fauna to watch and even a man-made lake to fish if you desire. Ample pavilion areas for family activity and get togethers. Very clean bathrooms as well.

Susan Torregrosa

September 01, 2025

Glen at the front is friendly and knowledgeable! The facilities are clean. I've enjoyed biking. Our site is nice. It's a little tight. Getting poked by palms to get into our truck or taking the bikes out but other than that, very nice. We have a couple of bird watchers in our group and they've been very happy.

holly nagel

July 27, 2025

Plenty to do and experience! Camping, glamping sites, swimming, fishing, kayak rentals on site, multiple hiking trails, and a beautiful biking trail! There are easily accessible public restrooms in picnic areas and many benches in along the hiking trails. There is also a play ground. Entrance fee is $5 for cars and pets are allowed on 6ft leash! Fun for all! Ranger station is very helpful and knowledgeable. Only downside was some of yellow trail is blocked off (from the bike trail back to the Lake Osprey).

Jarnette Smith

July 15, 2025

While visiting the west coast of FL, we stopped here to check it out. The ranger at the entrance building was very informative and there are a few cased displays in the building, should you stop and venture inside. Sadly for us, the nature center was closed. It looked to have displays showing FL history, wildlife, and flora, but that was just looking in from outside. :( There is a covered sitting area where ranger talks may take place. This park has a playground and shaded picnic tables, so if you have time, pack a lunch and enjoy more time there. Signs at the lake posts a swimming area and a sandy lake beach, no lifeguard. The rest of the lake offers views from a dock on the opposite side of the beach, to sit and take it in. The lake is definately stocked with fish! There is a shelled trail that goes around the lake , which we walked, with Florida plant life to enjoy along the way and benches to stop and sit near the lake. The park offers other nature trails, but we did not have the time to explore them.

Marines Rivera

May 19, 2025

We had site 62 and it was perfect! It was quiet secluded and ample shade. This park was close to paved trails that went on for mile and close to the beaches which made for perfect sunsets. The facilities were great and clean. We had tents and everything was good. We had water, electricity, and even a place to hang our wet clothes. Overall, a 10/10 for us.

Jim Meade

May 09, 2025

What a great park. Legacy trail runs through, so miles of bikepath to ride on. Many trails for hiking, Wildlife everywhere.

Dennis Dutra

April 15, 2025

A beautiful place to experience the serenity of "Old Florida". The wildlife is always a pleasure to be able to see and there are some spectacular species indigenous to these ecosystems. I caught a rare glimpse of a Black Crowned Night Heron, also an Anhinga, Osprey, Great American Egret, Great Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, a Cardinal, a Racoon, a Squirrel, Alligator and a Gopher Tortoise all within a few hours of arrival.

Rebecca Heureux

March 15, 2025

I’ve been going here since I was a kiddo, had my 21st birthday, my son’s 1st birthday here… we’ve camped many, many times as locals and loved every moment of it. We just had my mom’s 59th birthday glamping style and it was phenomenal. My kiddo and I cleaned up a bit of trash and I lucked out and didn’t have any reaction to poison ivy so always eventful, always beautiful 10/10 😂

Brian Bonner

March 03, 2025

We used to really like Oscar Scherer, but during this last trip we had so many issues. First, someone took out solar lights from our campsite while we were away for the day. Who does this? The posts at each of the campsites need clips to indicate how long someone will be at a campsite. A tag indicating the leave date would at least let folks know the site is occupied. Each of the sites has so much scrap material near them. They could have asked folks to voluntarily clean it up in return for a free day. People could have drug the scrub out to the front of their campsite. The campsites had a LOT of scrub that could have been cleaned up. There was a bunch of nature if you looked beyond the scrub. Notice the salamander and cardinal. As it turned out, the campground had a fire ban. No campfires allowed. It would have been nice to be alerted to this ahead of time. Next on the second day, the water temperature in the showers had been greatly reduced to lukewarm. It turns out someone had complained about being 'scalded'. Don't they know they should test the water temperature before they get underneath it? Even when it was hot it wasn't scalding hot. So the temp was adjusted on many of the showered houses. The new bathhouse which was started in early 2024 was not open. The reason was that there weren't any handicap stall doors. All of the other bathhouses used pieces of plywood -- couldn't plywood be used in the interim? The laundry facilities were missing --- supposedly lost in the hurricane? Eventually some units showed up at the new bathhouse. One big gross out for us was that people were washing their dogs in the laundry tubs. Dogprints in the laundry tub and dog hair left behind. Perhaps a sign to tell people to clean up after themselves. If dog cleaning is allowed, a sign to tell people to clean up afterwards. People drove through the campground very quickly -- the speed limit on the roads were barely visible. The paint had worn off. The roads were in severe disrepair. The site numbers were barely legible too. The roads were rough. We'll have to see about it next year. Hopefully things improve.

Ashley Martinez (ash)

December 27, 2024

this is a very nice park. I can tell the volunteers and workers do their best to keep this place uptight. the work done after the hurricane is phenomenal and guidance around the park is very helpful. the camp life is very very nice , especially the people. they are friendly for sure! as long as you are careful , this is an amazing park to visit

Map for Oscar Scherer

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