One of the oldest trails at Oscar Scherer State Park is also its most beautiful. Within this 1,400 acre state park, the South Creek Nature Trail is a gem.
A linear path, it links the Lake Osprey Picnic Area with the South Creek Picnic Area, where canoe and kayak rentals and a launch is located.
A creek-level stop along the pathIn between, there are two connections to the park campground and outstanding views from bluffs above the creek and at water level.
A round-trip from our preferred starting point at the nature center is a mile. Extend your walk another mile by continuing along the creek on the Lester Finley Trail.
South Creek Picnic AreaResources
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Overview
Location: Osprey
Length: 1 mile
Trailhead: 27.174364, -82.463157
Address: 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Fees: $5 per vehicle
Restroom: At picnic areas
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 941-483-5956
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. This trail is foot traffic only.
Directions
From Interstate 75 northbound, take exit 195, Nokomis / Laurel, and follow Laurel Road west 3.2 miles to US 41. Turn right and head north 2.5 miles into Osprey. The park entrance is on the right just after you cross South Creek. Southbound on I-75, take exit 200, Venice/Osprey. Continue 3.8 miles west on SR 681 to US 41. Drive north on US 41 for 1.7 miles; the park entrance is on the right. To start this hike from the largest parking area at Lake Osprey, follow the park road to the nature center and park in front of it.
Hike
Start your hike at the Nature Center. A path on one side of the building leads to a bridge connecting to the campground.
Head towards the picnic pavilions in front of the nature center. A worn path leads away from a pavilion towards a sign at the picnic area’s southwest edge.
Trail signFrom this point, the South Creek Nature Trail is easy to follow. It starts along an ecotone between scrubby flatwoods and creek bluffs.
Tall pines rise above a dense understory of low scrub oaks. Pause at a beauty spot to glimpse the placid waters of South Creek from a bench.
First overlookEmerging from the pines, cross the campground entrance road at 0.2 miles into the shade of sand live oaks.
The landscape opens on the right, revealing a vast scrub under scattered pines. To the left, palm fronds frame views of South Creek below.
Expanse of scrubEnter a palm hammock along the rim of the bluff, dropping close to creek level at a beautiful cove.
Past the next bench, wind between palmettos beneath slash pines and sand live oaks.
Palm hammockAt 0.4 miles, sweep down to an observation deck overlooking a beauty spot edged by mangroves, pines rising on the far shore.
Climb through the forest of palms under the pines, fronds fringing the footpath through marked turns as it twists along the bluffs.
Downstream view from the observation deckAnother view opens to the southeast, a panorama across a surprisingly broad expanse. Sand live oaks stretch out across the water.
Cross a bridge at a half mile. Emerge into a clearing at the back side of a large sign for this trail.
A glimpse upstream from the bridgeExtend the hike another mile by continuing through South Creek Picnic Area to its southwestern corner to take a round-trip on the Lester Finley Trail.
This barrier-free trail provides a gentler walk westbound, following the flow of the creek into mangroves not far upstream from Little Sarasota Bay.
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. Trail 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 South Creek Nature Trail
Slideshow
See our photos from the South Creek Nature Trail
Nearby Adventures
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.
The Legacy Trail Connecting Venice and Sarasota, one of Florida's finest paved trails provides a corridor for biking and hiking along a historic railroad line.
Scherer Thaxton Preserve A system of multiuse trails traverses increasingly wild environments, circling an artificial lake to enter pine flatwoods habitat extending into adjacent Oscar Scherer State Park.
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