After a lengthy drive from St. Joseph Peninsula, we were ready for the relaxing evening and following morning had at this nature lovers park.We enjoyed the trails and the frogs jumping in the creek!Nice sites and bath houses.The sell ice cream and have a designated swim area!Highly recommend if you are in this area and aren't just there for the beautiful nearby beaches!
The location close to Venice and HWY 75 is good. Showers, restrooms were average. More no-see-ums than the average SP. Probably because the creek/river runs right behind the campsites.We honestly didn't spend alot of time at the park itself. Casperson Beach is nearby for shark-tooth hunting. We spent most of our time there or on the Venice shopping strip.
I go to a lot of state parks, this is one of the best so far!! The trails are heavily wooded , lots of Spanish moss, and also a nice sized lake. The campground is excellent, often booked way in advance, the showers/restrooms for camping are clean and private. My dogs and I enjoyed walking and exploring the many trails, and I want to go back and paddle the river on a kayak/or canoe. The staff is polite and very helpful offering trail tips/maps upon entering, definitely a great florida park!!!
Beautiful park. Lots of birds including the endangered Florida Scrub Jays. Trails are sandy and not wheel chair accessible.
Nevermind the beach and the pool for a day! This park was very nice. Lots of birds and critters! Son caught his first snook off of the handicap access kayak - canoe ramp. Saw tons of wildlife . In its natural habitat not through glass or behind a fence. And only $5 for a carload!
Great campground and wonderful volunteers in nature ctr that really get kids interested in learning. I love that this campground connects to the Legacy Trail and has other walking trails, many bathrooms, laundry, hot showers, playgrounds, etc. Sites could use a little updating with hoses (you have to share water connection with neighboring site) and also could use pet waste bag stations throughout the park.
If it's not a beach day and you like to walk in the wild, this is for you. It has a variety of trails for short of long walks. Nice picnic areas so best if you pack a lunch and spend as much time as you like. There is no food, etc., sold in the park.
I know that it in an area where the median age is 68 years old, it may not be a problem that Kayaks are only rented to adults here Even when a family with an adult is going along, it was a problem for my family today. No tandem kayaks were available and we were turned away when my wife told the ranger we needed two single kayaks (as no tandems were available). One was for my wife and one was for my ten year old son. I don't know why the state prohibits minors from using a kayak with a pfd when a parent is present. I think ... "Nanny state." My state doesn't think I can decide whether my son is safe enough to go kayaking with me when it is renting me the kayak instead of me buying one. How do you think it would go over if there was a maximum age? So they decide for me. I can buy a kayak and my son can use it. But I cannot rent one for him to use. If you are going to be renting a kayak here and you have a minor with you, you would be advised to keep that information to yourself. My wife is an honest person and was forthright with the ranger. We went and had a beer and wings at Bogie's and my 11 year old played trivia games on the tv 25' from the bar. I think it would have been better to Kayak in Oscar Scherer but that wasn't possible today. Oscar Scherer park doesn't advertise this rule on their website so I am letting others know. I didn't. I wasted a trip here. My family has little to do here in Venice and this was a disappointment today.
We're snowbirds here again and loving it. Our tent looks out on a woodsy creek that we can kayak on. There is a great nature center next to a screened in Wifi room. Every weekday morning offers either aerobics or a coffee or breakfast at the nature center, plus other activities that we miss due to heading to favorite beaches for sunset. We've gotten to know several friendly regulars and that enhances our experience, including going out together occasionally for dinner and music. We have camped in a number of FL state parks and this is our favorite.