Matt Kruse, Park Manager
Get outside and discover Oscar Scherer State Park. This natural haven, encompassing almost 1,400 acres, offers a wealth of recreational opportunities for visitors. Located just minutes from Sarasota, the park provides a quick escape from the city into a wilderness teeming with diverse plant and animal life.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, sure to spark an interest in the area’s rich history and diverse environment. Popular options include camping, swimming, kayaking, fishing, and hiking. The park also provides access to bicycle trails, including the Legacy Trail.
Wildlife viewing is a favorite pastime for many visitors to Oscar Scherer State Park. Its extensive scrubby flatwoods make it a prime location in southwest Florida for observing the threatened Florida scrub-jay. Additionally, park visitors often spot gopher tortoises, deer, bald eagles, and numerous other animal species that call the park home.
Whether you’re interested in enjoying a picnic at one of the designated areas, exploring 15 miles of hiking and biking trails, launching your kayak into the park’s brackish estuary, spotting iconic wildlife like bald eagles and gopher tortoises, or learning more about the park at the Nature Center, a unique experience awaits you at Oscar Scherer State Park.
