Park Details
South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve
- Address:6200 Osprey Road
Venice, FL 34293
Amenities:- Trail - Unpaved
- Natural Areas
- Natural Areas and Nature Centers
- Trails
- Address:6200 Osprey Road
- FACILITY HOURS OF OPERATION6 a.m. to Sunset
- ACTIVITIESBirding
- TYPE OF PARKNatural Areas and Nature Centers
Click to find out more about the program!
7/22-7/30/2026: A mechanical vegetation management project will be occurring in the northern and central portions of South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve. The goal of the project is to widen trails, reduce vegetation heights, and re-establish firebreaks for wildfire mitigation purposes. Equipment will be on site starting 7/22/26. The main project area is located north of the mangrove boardwalk. A few trails in the central parcel will also be included in the project. Areas will be closed while heavy equipment is in use.
Download the South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve Map to our phone before your next hike!
The 222-acre preserve is nestled in the suburb of south Venice. Enjoy a little more than 8 miles of natural surface scenic trails. The preserve supports a variety of coastal habitats which include tidal swamp, tidal marsh, coastal hammock, along with upland communities comprising of mesic and scrubby flatwoods and scrub. Native plants including lupine, Curtis’s milkweed and various species of mangroves can be seen from the trails. The preserve is a refuge for several protected animals such as gopher tortoise, Florida scrub-jay and bald eagle. Dogs are not allowed within the preserve to protect the listed species.
There are 3 sections of the preserve to explore:
South entrance (6200 Osprey Rd., Venice)
• Limited off-street parking.
• A picnic table is available within a short hike into the scrubby flatwoods.
Central entrance (at the end of Ocelot Road, Venice)
• Park at the Osprey Road lot and follow the trail to the center section of the preserve.
• View of the active eagle nest.
North entrance (5472 Kenisco Rd, Venice)
• Limited parking along road shoulders at the Kenisco Road entrance.
• Visitors can walk across boardwalks to view recreated and restored wetlands.
For the current status of all Sarasota County parks, please click here.
Interested in learning more about our Natural Areas? Nature programs can be found here. Select the category "Natural Area and Trails."
Visit South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve virtually through the Natural Areas Story Map by clicking the Story Map icon below.