At Spanish Point, scents hang heavy in the morning air: a moonflower in the act of closing for the day, the sweetness of citrus blossoms, the purple morning-glory clambering over mangroves, the brush of salt breezes.
Caspersen Beach Park
At Caspersen Beach Park, meander the gentle nature trail through a tropical hammock or take a long stroll down a quiet beach where shark’s teeth wash ashore
Duisberg Nature Trail
On Manasota Key at Blind Pass, south of Venice, the Fred Duisberg Nature Trail is a gentle meander on boardwalks through a mangrove forest along Lemon Bay to a scenic overlook.
Get outdoors at Oscar Scherer State Park
It’s summer, but that shouldn’t stop you from playing outdoors. Down in the quiet town of Osprey between Sarasota and Venice, you can see their namesake bird along South Creek at Oscar Scherer State Park. The extensive trail system gets you deep into Florida scrub-jay habitat, but a summer morning is best enjoyed with a […]
Jelks Preserve
Offering scenic views of the wilds of the Myakka River, the 3.3 mile loop at Jelks Preserve near Venice provides a nice immersion in upland and riverside habitats
Lake Osprey Trail
Circling Lake Osprey, the wheelchair-accessible Lake Osprey Trail at Oscar Scherer State Park offers an exploration of the uplands surrounding the artesian-spring-fed waters.
Lemon Bay Park
On nearly 3 miles of mostly-accessible trails, Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center showcases pine flatwoods, freshwater marshes, and mangrove-lined shores in Englewood.
Manasota Scrub Preserve
A Sarasota County preserve established for the Florida scrub-jay, Manasota Scrub Preserve has a 1.5 mile loop in 145 acres of scrubby flatwoods.
Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park
An excellent spot for birding, Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port follows the natural curves of the creek, with a 2.5-mile trail looping the creek basin and bluffs.
Oscar Scherer adds second ADA-compliant trail
From our friends at Oscar Scherer State Park: A low-key groundbreaking on April 15 marked the official start of the second ADA-compliant trail at Oscar Scherer State Park, according to Russell Delaney, president of the Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Inc. One of 100 citizen support organizations (CSO) in Florida’s park system, the Friends are […]