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South Venice Bay Preserve, Ocelot Rd entrance
4.6 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · Running trail in Venice, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from South Venice Bay Preserve, Ocelot Rd entrance'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.
What runners say about South Venice Bay Preserve, Ocelot Rd entrance
Lots of trails through an area that feels as though you’ve stepped back in time. Many tortoises as know to inhabit this preserve ( though I didn’t see any on our walk). There is parking but no restrooms. It’s a walk in the open ( very little shade) so plan accordingly.
This is a bird nesting area. Please show these birds the respect they deserve and obey all trail closures. Limited parking along the road to easily access the northern portion of this preserve. I was lucky enough to spot 3 baby great horned owls with their parents. Keep your voices low and your heads up.
A beautiful preserve with alot of variation and easy, walkable trails. Nesting eagle with two eaglets eliminated some of the trail, as it was roped off to protect their privacy.
This is a nice walking trail with plenty of wildlife and your chances of seeing a bobcat are pretty high.
Trail conditions & character
“Limited parking along the road to easily access the northern portion of this preserve.”
Plan your run at South Venice Bay Preserve, Ocelot Rd entrance
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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
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 |
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