Easily accessed from the campground or visitor center, the Green Trail showcases ecosystems that historically attracted the state’s only endemic bird species, the Florida Scrub-Jay.
While scrub jays are not as common on this side of the park, bald eagles often frequent a large nest near the campground during the cooler half of the year.
Scrubby flatwoodsResources
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Overview
Location: Sarasota
Length: 2.9 miles
Trailhead: 27.175028, -82.462222
Address: 1843 S Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Fees: $5 per vehicle
Restrooms: At the visitor center near the trailhead
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 941-483-5956
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. A large portion of the western half of the loop may be closed during bald eagle nesting season; October 1st to May 15th.
Directions
Following Interstate 75 southbound from Sarasota, take exit 200 for Osprey, which empties onto an expressway, SR 681, that curves around the south edge of the park. Turn right onto US 41. Continue 1.7 mile to the prominent park entrance on the right. Follow the main park drive for one mile to the visitor center parking area. The trail begins behind the visitor center.
Hike
Beginning at the visitor center parking lot, follow a concrete walkway towards the door and around the right side of the building.
The sidewalk passes an impressive little garden adorned with native plants, many of them sporting tags with common names.
Native plant gardenBeyond the visitor center, a sign for the Green Trail stands alongside a bridge over South Creek.
Across the bridge, turn left onto an access road, passing glamping tents at north end of the campground.
At the end of this road, the Orange Trail branches off to the north while the Green Trail curves southward.
South Creek BridgeFollowing the sandy two-track trail into the forest, stay straight at the next junction to begin the loop in a clockwise fashion.
A covered bench marks an intersection where the route curves to the west, straddling an indistinct ecotone between mesic and scrubby flatwoods.
At 0.6 miles, a small platform provides a place to gaze across a dense, low-lying understory of saw palmettos and diminutive oaks.
Overlook platformReach a trail junction at a bench. If the remainder of the outer loop is closed due to eagle nesting, signage will alert you to turn right, cutting off 1.3 miles of this hike.
Otherwise continue past the shortcut. The path climbs onto a sandy ridge, where an ancient shoreline is defined by a noticeable change in surroundings.
Bench at the shortcutThick walls of scrubby oaks flank a corridor of soft, white sugar sand as the trail leads into a dry scrubby flatwoods environment.
In late spring and summertime, tall tarflower stems extend above the verdant sea of shrubs, producing clusters of showy white blossoms.
Tarflower in bloomThe trail turns eastward at 1.4 miles, tracing a bluff topped with a shady hammock of sand live oaks alongside South Creek.
The water is visible in a few spots, especially after recent prescribed fires, when the understory has been cleared out and fast-growing bracken fens carpet the forest floor.
South CreekNear the two-mile mark, a bench and picnic table stand next to a path leading into the south end of the campground.
In another hundred feet, a trailside marker indicates the bald eagle nest in the distance, perched on the limbs of a tall slash pine.
The marker points to the eagles’ nestFrom this point, follow posts with green arrows across gently contoured dunes covered in thickets of scrubby oaks, passing the shortcut trail at 2.1 miles.
In another half mile, turn left at the end of the loop, following the road back to the bridge and visitor center.
Oak forestTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Oscar Scherer State Park
Oscar Scherer State Park A stronghold for Florida scrub-jays north of Venice, Oscar Scherer State Park is an important island of biodiversity in an increasingly overdeveloped region. Video
Hiking the Green Trail at Oscar Scherer
Nearby Adventures
Oscar Scherer Yellow Trail On this 4.8 mile loop through expansive scrub and flatwoods, discover hidden streams, ancient trees, and great birding at Big Lake.
South Creek Nature Trail Delight in scenic views and lush vegetation along this well-worn footpath along the bluffs of South Creek at Oscar Scherer State Park.
Lester Finley Trail A gentle barrier-free nature trail, the Lester Finley Trail along South Creek is an excellent starting point to explore natural habitats within Oscar Scherer State Park. 
Lake Osprey Trail Central to trailhead access at Oscar Scherer State Park, the Lake Osprey Trail is an accessible loop around artesian-fed waters behind the nature center.
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