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South Lido County Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,447 Google reviews · Running trail in Sarasota, Florida · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from South Lido County Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ShadedScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Diverse waterfront park offering swimming, kayaking & bird-watching, plus trails & picnic areas.

What runners say about South Lido County Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,447 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“You cant swim far in most areas due ti heavy currents but its a unique and beautiful spot to enjoy tye beach.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Great spot for people with families with jetsky or boat a lots of parking spots shade and clean bathrooms.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“if you can come during off season when the northerners leave it's one of the most peaceful places to walk or sun tan or just hangout with family and bbq the day away.”

Love this park been coming ever since I was a kid...if you can come during off season when the northerners leave it's one of the most peaceful places to walk or sun tan or just hangout with family and bbq the day away.

★★★★★ — Los , May 2021

The mangroves are beautiful. Wear bug spray if going in the evening. Most of the tunnels are very shaded. There is a little beach to swim and cool off. Great family activity

★★★★★ — Brittany , Jul 2020

Great area to relax in the sun or take a walk on the beach. Lots of boats pull up here. Nice, fairly clear water.

★★★★★ — Teri , May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,447 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 8 mentions

“Great spot for people with families with jetsky or boat a lots of parking spots shade and clean bathrooms.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“You cant swim far in most areas due ti heavy currents but its a unique and beautiful spot to enjoy tye beach.”

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🚻 Restrooms 7 mentions

“Great spot for people with families with jetsky or boat a lots of parking spots shade and clean bathrooms.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“if you can come during off season when the northerners leave it's one of the most peaceful places to walk or sun tan or just hangout with family and bbq the day away.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“Great spot for people with families with jetsky or boat a lots of parking spots shade and clean bathrooms.”

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Plan your run at South Lido County Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Phone+1 941-861-7275

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find South Lido County Park

2201 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

Get directions

Running trails near Sarasota

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Ted Sperling Park Nature Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 82 reviews

Sarasota, FL

Scenic

County park featuring kayak tours in mangrove tunnels as well as hiking trails.

under a mile away

Ted Sperling Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 152 reviews

Sarasota, FL

Scenic

Park featuring a beach, picnic areas, and kayak rentals for exploring mangrove tunnels and spotting manatees.

under a mile away

School Avenue Multi-Use Recreation Trail

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

Sarasota, FL

2.5 miles away

Alderman Multi-Use Recreation Trail

4 ★★★★☆ 2 reviews

Sarasota, FL

3.0 miles away

Half-Mile Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 11 reviews

Sarasota, FL

3.3 miles away

Tuttle Walkway Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 22 reviews

Sarasota, FL

4.0 miles away

All running trails in Sarasota, FL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.