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Nearby Parks:
Myakka River State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | 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. |
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| Camping: |
| Full Facility Camping
Oscar Scherer State Park Full Facility Camping Oscar Scherer State Park is a Seasonal Camping Park. Nightly rate is $24.20 including tax, per night, per site for up to 4 persons. Additional Camping Related Fees Extra person fee (over 4 people) $2.00 per person/per night Extra car (non-towed vehicle) $3.00 per vehicle/ per night Electricity $2.00 per night Pet Fee $2.00 per pet/ per night (proof of Rabies Vaccination required) (State Sales Tax and Local Option Tax not included in above prices) Campsites are available for tent or RV camping with complete hook-ups for electric and water. Reservations may be made up to eleven months in advance. One nights camping fee deposit will be required (credit card only ? must be canceled within 24 hours of check-in time for refund). For more information on camping in our park simply click on the Reserve America link. Clicking on the park map or selecting one of the camping area links just below the park map will allow you to see a map of the individual campsite locations. Select any campsite icon to see a detailed description of the individual campsite and what it has to offer.
Group Camping
A separate camp area is available for organized youth and adult groups. Tents only. No pets allowed. Amenities include pavilion, campfire circle, restroom, and cold water shower. No electric service available. Limited to 60 people. For reservations call the parks Ranger Station as Group Camp reservations are not yet made through Reserve America.
RV Camping
Campsites are available for RV camping with complete hook-ups for electric and water. Reservations may be made up to eleven months in advance. One night?s camping fee deposit will be required (credit card only – must be canceled within 24 hours of check-in time for refund). Campsites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet.
Youth Camping
There are youth camping activities and accommodations available at the park. Please call the park at 941-483-5956 for more information. |
| Trails: |
| Bicycling
The park offers several marked trails with a combined length of approximately 15 miles. Both hikers and bicyclists share these trails. Since much of the trails consist of fine loose " sugar sand" , a mountain bike is recommended. The trails meander through two distinct plant communities and are a great way for visitors to get a closer look at the " Oscar Scherer Outback" . Due to the specific use of and width of the trails, please refrain from riding bikes on the Lester Finley Trail and the South Creek Nature Trail. Both trails are marked to show foot traffic only.
Nature Trails
Six marked hiking trails provide visitors an opportunity to explore various remote portions of the park. Numbered benches conveniently placed along the trails provide resting spots and, since the numbers correspond with numbers on the trail map, visitors can determine their exact location on the trail. Keep in mind that there are no restrooms or shelters on the trail. You may want to wear good hiking shoes, bring drinking water, wear a hat, and use sunscreen and insect repellant. Make sure to request a trail map when entering the park. For information on what you might see along the trail, be sure to check out the Resources and Endangered Habitats section.
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| Picnicking: |
| The South Creek Picnic Area and Lake Osprey Picnic Area each provide visitors with picnic tables, charcoal grills, pavilions, and a playground. South Creek Picnic area has a restroom, small pavilion and a canoe launch. Lake Osprey Picnic Area has a bathhouse, two pavilions, and a Nature Center located next to Lake Osprey. The pavilions and Nature Center are each available for rental. The Nature Center is equipped with a kitchen, folding tables, chairs, and a sound system. It also includes several exhibits about the parks various plants and animals. It is a great location for weddings, family reunions or business meetings. Please Contact the Ranger Station for additional information, reservations and current rental rates. |
| Boating: |
| Canoeing South Creek is one of the more popular recreational activities available at the park. Visitors can launch their own canoe or kayak or rent a canoe from the Ranger Station. Canoes are currently $5.00 per hour or $25.00 per day and are launched from the South Creek Picnic Area. South Creek is a tidal black water stream that flows through the park. The Creek begins north of the park and is formed by rainfall and freshwater run-off and eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The creek fluctuates with the incoming tide and is brackish (a mixture of fresh and salt water). Mangrove trees, Giant Leather Fern, and Cabbage Palms are a few of the plant species that can be seen growing along the edge of the creek. Wading birds such as the Great Blue Heron and Little Blue Heron can be seen feeding in the water while Ospreys soar overhead. Occasionally alligators and otters can be seen taking advantage of the creeks' diverse habitat. Ranger led canoe programs are available every Wednesday. |
| Swimming: |
| Lake Osprey is a perfect place to cool off during the hot summer days. This 3-acre freshwater lake is located at the Lake Osprey Picnic Area. The lake is also open for fishing, however no fishing is permitted in the designated roped off swimming area. The lake has a sandy beachfront and is also equipped with a floating swim dock. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities are available at the park. Lake Osprey is a 3-acre freshwater lake providing anglers with the opportunity to catch bream, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. The lake is stocked with catfish as part of the urban fisheries program sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. South Creek provides an opportunity to catch saltwater species. A fishing dock located off of the Lester Finley Trail is a great place to fish. A fishing license is required for persons over the age of 15, and can be purchased at the Sarasota County Tax Collectors Office in Osprey. |
| History of the Area: |
| In her will, Elsa Scherer Burrows (1884-1955) left the family?s 460 acre South Creek Ranch to the state in memory of her father Oscar Scherer (1856-1923), inventor of a process for dyeing shoe leather in 1872. After a year of preparation, Oscar Scherer State Park was opened to the public in 1956.
Sometime later the classification for parks? changed and it became Oscar Scherer State Recreation Area. Three decades later, Realtor and environmentalist Jon Thaxton began campaigning for the state to protect adjoining Florida Scrub-Jay territory. With help from the Nature Conservancy and wide public support, the state?s Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program used Preservation 2000 funds to purchase 922 acres of adjacent land from Palmer Ranch in 1991.
With the addition, the present Oscar Scherer State Park came into being. It now preserves more than two square miles of nature in a rapidly developing area, and provides resource-based recreation for some 130,000 visitors annually. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Oscar Scherer State Park - Oscar Scherer State Park Trails Oscar Scherer State Park is officially designated as part of Florida?s Statewide System of Greenways ... The Friends of Oscar Scherer State Park citizen support ... | | Oscar Scherer State Park, Florida - Oscar Scherer State Park University of Florida Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Information Retrieval System Contributions ... to the Oscar Scherer State Park picture collection are welcome. Send ... | | Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey Sarasota Florida - Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey, Information and Sarasota Florida history, daily updates of homes for sale. ... landowner & businesswoman Oscar Scherer State Park Oscar Scherer State Park ... | | Oscar Scherer State Park Osprey, Florida - ... E-Mail Dining Hotels Links Real Estate Search Shopping Weather Home Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, Florida Oscar Scherer State Park offers visitors a number of recreational activities, as ... | | Oscar Scherer State Park - Florida information. Online hotel reservations, attractions and events. Florida State parks and ... 34229 (941) 483-5956 Driving Directions Oscar Scherer State Park is located on U.S.41, six miles ... | | Wildlife Viewing Site - Oscar Scherer State Park - Wildlife Viewing Site Oscar Scherer State Park Description: Pine flatwoods and scrubby flatwoods are the typical plant communities in this park. You can float tidal South Creek and see marshes ... | | Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) - ... bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) RBWO-1 Adult male Oscar Scherer State Park, Florida February 2001 ? Peter LaTourrette RBWO-2 Adult male Oscar Scherer State Park, Florida February 2001 ? ... | | Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) - Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) BLJA-1 Adult Oscar Scherer State Park, Florida February 2001 ? Peter LaTourrette BLJA-2 Adult Oscar Scherer State Park, Florida February 2001 ? Peter LaTourrette ... |
| Nature Programs: |
| Be sure to visit the Interpretive Nature Center located in front of scenic Lake Osprey. The Center showcases the parks scrubby flatwoods. Home of the Florida Scrub Jay, Gopher Tortoise, and Eastern Indigo Snake. Dioramas, Videos, Displays and Touch Table enlighten the senses and help visitors learn more about the park. Open most days from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. To find out if the center will be open during your visit call the Ranger Station at (941) 483-5956. The Nature Center can be rented for picnics, meeting, reunions, weddings, etc. The cost is $80.00 a day + tax and it seats about 50 people. Use of the Kitchen is an additional $20.00. |
| 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. |
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