Oscar Scherer State Park offers camping within 15 miles of Venice, Florida. The park maintains dense vegetation between sites, creating natural buffers for privacy. Many sites can accommodate RVs up to 36 feet with water and electric hookups. Visitors find themselves surrounded by Florida's native ecosystem while still being close to urban amenities and Gulf beaches.
What to do
Wildlife viewing on trails: At Oscar Scherer State Park, the Legacy Trail runs through the grounds, offering excellent biking and hiking opportunities. "Secluded in the city... when you enter the park, it feels like you are miles from civilization. The Legacy trail runs through the park. There is also kayak and canoe rentals," notes Jennifer D. The trail connects Sarasota to Venice.
Paddling the Myakka River: Launch directly from your site at Camp Venice Retreat, where the river access allows for exploration in both directions. "You can launch you kayak or canoe right from your spot," says Joshua B. Rich A. adds that you can "Paddle the Myakka River in both directions. Plenty of wildlife - and gaters! No worries, they'll leave you alone if you don't bother them."
Touring historic sites: Fort De Soto Park includes military installations worth exploring. "The historic fort, scenic beaches, trails for hiking or biking, etc made for a great visit! Tons of wildlife - we saw raccoons, dolphin, manatee, tons of Birds!" reports Brennan H. The former military fortifications provide interesting context to the region's coastal defense history.
What campers like
Direct beach access: Turtle Beach Campground provides immediate beach entry where campers can enjoy Gulf waters without driving. "The beach is at the end of the interior, two-way road that divides the campground. It is accessible only by foot... The beach is clean and ample. Grey sand. Beautiful sunsets," explains L O. The campground sits at the end of a two-mile stretch of road in an affluent neighborhood.
Natural campsite separation: At Oscar Scherer, the sites offer good privacy despite being in a relatively compact area. "Lots of trails. Convenient location right off of highway 41, but sites are far enough in that it's quiet," explains David S. Kim S. elaborates: "There are tons of spaces, but lots of dense vegetation between them...so you don't get that 'I am setting up in the middle of someone else's campfire' feeling."
Proximity to restaurants: Many campsites near Venice have dining options within walking distance. Cole B. notes about Turtle Beach: "Also, the option of taking the free trolley that picks up at the campground and takes you to downtown Siesta Key is unbeatable." Sam S. says about Camp Venice Retreat: "Snook Haven restaurant next door is flat out awesome with twice daily entertainment at noon and 5pm most days."
What you should know
Flooding concerns: Several campgrounds in low-lying areas can experience water issues during heavy rain. At Ramblers Rest RV Campground, Craig M. observed: "The only complaints I have is that when it rains frequently (summer months) the ground tends to become saturated with water. Many times we had 2" plus of standing water outside of our RV." Similarly, at Turtle Beach, one reviewer noted that "the main road does flood severely" after heavy rain.
Limited availability: Reservations at most campgrounds near Venice require advance planning, especially during winter months. Turtle Beach books quickly, with one camper advising: "Book in advanced, especially if you want to stay more than a night or two." Fort De Soto fills up six months in advance, though they "open up 10% of the sites for the weekend each Friday at 7am if you want to try and get lucky."
Wildlife encounters: Alligators and other wildlife are common in this region. At Palmetto Ridge Campground, a camper named Jenelle J. warned: "Went to drain the tanks yesterday morning and a large sounding gator started to growl territorially at me. So heads up with your pets please." This highlights the need for awareness when camping near Florida waterways.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Sun N Fun RV Resort offers extensive recreation options for families. "The kids enjoyed the slide (limited hours…ask ahead), and the warm pool was refreshing," notes Joe R. Another camper adds: "There are bike rentals I have taken advantage of, plenty of walking trails, and you can rent airboats."
Consider playground access: Some campgrounds have dedicated play areas. At Fort De Soto, one visitor described: "There is a playground with good swings and also a sturdy playground that offered plenty of opportunity for my four year old to blow off some steam. The ground is all recycled rubber, which I love as a parent."
Check for family-friendly beach options: Beaches near Venice vary in terms of crowds and facilities. At Turtle Beach, L O. observed: "The beach was never crowded, even when the campground was full." Another camper noted that "Siesta key beach is about 4 miles. The sand there is super white and soft. It's 99% quartz and is really rare."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Palmetto Ridge Campground near Venice, site layout varies considerably. Amanda W. advises: "The Palmetto Ridge pull thrus are gigantic. I would say the vegetation gives semi privacy but they aren't on top of each other so it's not like you're looking right at your neighbor." She contrasts this with other loops: "The Big Flats & Old Prairie loops are gravel road, tight, no privacy & very small sites like for popups, vans or small campers."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow entrances or low-hanging trees. Sam S. notes about Camp Venice: "Just a couple of minor issues are the road going in has some potholes and lots of low hanging tree branches. Drive slow and stay in the middle if you can." Another camper mentioned: "The park roads are all dirt and can be dusty at times."
Hookup locations: Water and electric connections aren't always positioned conveniently. Denise from Oscar Scherer recommends: "The electric hookup is in its normal spot, but be aware that the water is in the woods on the opposite side (one pedestal feeding two sites). Make sure to bring a longer hose, or park closer to the water than electric."
