What are you looking for?

Natural Areas and Nature Centers

Font Size: + -

Did you know that Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources manages over 50,000 acres of natural areas? Enjoy hiking, biking or horseback riding through prairie hammocks and pine flatwoods.

Load up a kayak and explore one of our longest mangrove strands at Lemon Bay Park. Step back in history at the C.B. Wilson House at Urfer Family Park. Enjoy a night under the stars at T. Mabry Carlton , Jr. Memorial Reserve. Head to Shamrock Park and learn about shark’s teeth and fossils in our nature center. Bring binoculars along your adventure to catch a glimpse of the wide array of birds that winter here.

Discover natural Sarasota – There’s truly something for everyone! For more information, contact 311.

For the current status of Sarasota County parks, please click here.

Interested in learning more about our Natural Areas? Nature programs can be found here.

Natural Areas Guide

Get off the beaten path and discover a variety of ways to experience our community's natural areas, learn about our amazing environment and wildlife, and enjoy being active, outdoors.

Park Resources

North Port Connector Trail
1. Address:7001 Forbes Trail
  Venice, FL 34292
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
4. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
5. Trail - Paved
Oak Cathedral Preserve
1. Address:4193 Woodland Blvd.
  North Port, FL 34291
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Picnicking
4. Trail - Equestrian
5. Trail - Unpaved
6. Wildlife Viewing
Old Miakka Preserve
1. Address:Fruitville Road, east of Verna Road/Myakka Road
  Sarasota, FL 34240
Amenities:
1. *Virtual Tour
2. Birding
3. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
4. Picnicking
5. Trail - Equestrian
6. Trail - Unpaved
7. Wildlife Viewing
Osprey Junction Trailhead
1. Address:939 E. Bay St.
  Osprey, FL 34229
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
4. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
5. Picnicking
6. Restroom
7. Trail - Paved
8. Trail - Unpaved
9. Wildlife Viewing
Otter Key
1. Address:Sarasota Bay
  Sarasota, FL 34236
Amenities:
1. Birding
2. Fishing
Pocono Trail Preserve
1. Address:189 Pocono Trail E.
  Nokomis, FL 34275
Amenities:
1. Birding
2. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
3. Picnicking
4. Trail - Paved
5. Trail - Unpaved
6. Wildlife Viewing
Potter Park
1. Address:8587 Potter Park Drive
  Sarasota, FL 34238
Amenities:
1. Basketball Court (Outdoor)
2. Birding
3. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
4. Grills
5. Multi-Purpose Field
6. Pickleball Court (Outdoor/Dedicated)
7. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
8. Picnicking
9. Playground
10. Restroom
11. Swimming
12. Tennis Court
13. Trail - Paved
14. Trail - Unpaved
15. Wildlife Viewing
Rattlesnake Island
1. Address:Lyons Bay
  Nokomis, FL 34275
Amenities:
1. Birding
2. Fishing
3. Picnicking
4. Trail - Unpaved
Red Bug Slough Preserve
1. Address:5200 Beneva Road
  Sarasota, FL 34231
Amenities:
1. *Virtual Tour
2. Birding
3. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
4. Fishing Pier
5. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
6. Picnicking
7. Playground
8. Restroom
9. Trail - Paved
10. Trail - Unpaved
11. Wildlife Viewing
Rothenbach Park
1. Address:8650 Bee Ridge Road
  Sarasota, FL 34241
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Grills
4. Outdoor Fitness Equipment
5. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
6. Picnicking
7. Playground
8. Restroom
9. Trail - Paved
10. Wildlife Viewing
Scherer Thaxton Preserve
1. Address:13125 Honore Ave.
  Osprey, FL 34229
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Boat Ramps for Non-motorized Vessels
4. Canoe/Kayak Launch
5. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
6. Fishing
7. Fishing Pier
8. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
9. Picnicking
10. Restroom
11. Trail - Unpaved
12. Wildlife Viewing
Senator Bob Johnson's Landing
1. Address:9083 S. Tamiami Trail
  Venice, FL 34293
Amenities:
1. Birding
2. Canoe/Kayak Launch
3. Canoe/Kayak Launch (Accessible)
4. Canoe/Kayak Wash Station
5. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
6. Fishing
7. Grills
8. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
9. Picnicking
10. Restroom
11. Trail - Paved
12. Trail - Unpaved
13. Wildlife Viewing
Shamrock Park and Nature Center
1. Address:3900 Shamrock Drive
  Venice, FL 34293
Amenities:
1. Basketball Court (Outdoor)
2. Bicycling
3. Birding
4. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
5. Grills
6. Indoor Rental Space
7. Nature/Interpretive Center
8. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
9. Picnicking
10. Playground
11. Restroom
12. Tennis Court
13. Trail - Paved
14. Trail - Unpaved
15. Wildlife Viewing
Sleeping Turtles Preserve North
1. Address:3462 Border Road
  Venice, FL 34292
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
4. Fishing
5. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
6. Picnicking
7. Trail - Equestrian
8. Trail - Unpaved
9. Wildlife Viewing
Sleeping Turtles Preserve South
1. Address:2800 N. River Road
  Venice, FL 34292
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Fishing
4. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
5. Picnicking
6. Trail - Unpaved
7. Wildlife Viewing
South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve
1. Address:6200 Osprey Road
  Venice, FL 34293
Amenities:
1. Birding
2. Picnicking
3. Trail - Unpaved
4. Wildlife Viewing
Stoneybrook Nature Trail
1. Address:Central Sarasota Parkway
  Sarasota, FL 34238
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
4. Picnicking
5. Trail - Paved
6. Wildlife Viewing
Urfer Family Park
1. Address:4012 Honore Ave.
  Sarasota, FL 34233
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Dog-Friendly (Leash Required)
4. Historical / Cultural Resource
5. Outdoor Fitness Equipment
6. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
7. Picnicking
8. Playground
9. Restroom
10. Trail - Paved
11. Trail - Unpaved
12. Wildlife Viewing
Venice Area Audubon Rookery
1. Address:4006 S. Tamiami Trail
  Venice, FL 34292
Amenities:
1. Birding
2. Picnic Shelter / Pavilion
3. Picnicking
4. Trail - Unpaved
5. Wildlife Viewing
Walton Ranch
1. Address:7020 N. Toledo Blade Blvd.
  North Port, FL 34291
Amenities:
1. Bicycling
2. Birding
3. Picnicking
4. Trail - Equestrian
5. Trail - Unpaved
6. Wildlife Viewing