Lido Key, Sarasota
South Lido Park
Also known as Ted Sperling Park, this county park sits at the very tip of Lido Key, where the Gulf meets Sarasota Bay. It is Sarasota's best in-town paddle: a mangrove trail, a nature walk, wildlife and quiet beaches, with no lifeguards and no crowds.
At a Glance
- Parking
- Free lot
- Lifeguards
- None
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Fishing
- Bay shore
- Food
- None
- Kayak rentals
- Vendors on site
- Wheelchairs
- Not on county list
01 · Location
Location
Ted Sperling Park at South Lido is at 2201 Benjamin Franklin Drive, at the south end of Lido Key where the road dead-ends into the park. It is about 15 minutes from downtown Sarasota. Follow Ben Franklin Drive past Lido Beach and St. Armands Circle to the very end.
02 · Parking
Parking
- Free parking in the county lot at the park entrance.
- A small additional lot near the kayak launch and a trailer drop area for paddlers.
- The lot fills on weekends and holidays. Weekday mornings are the reliable window.
- County lot hours are about 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with no overnight parking.
03 · Facilities
Facilities
- Restrooms and outdoor showers
- Picnic tables, shaded areas and barbecue grills
- Playground and volleyball court
- Unpaved nature trails through the mangroves
- Beach access on both the bay side and the Gulf side
- Kayak and paddleboard rental vendors operating on site
04 · Accessibility
Accessibility
South Lido is not on Sarasota County's free beach wheelchair list, and no sand access mat is confirmed here. Trails are unpaved and sandy in places. For a fully accessible beach day with free wheelchairs, use Siesta Beach, Lido Beach, Nokomis Beach or North Jetty Park.
05 · Dogs & Pets
Dogs & Pets
Dogs are not allowed at South Lido Park, which Sarasota County lists as a no-pets facility. The nearest legal off-leash dog beach is Brohard Paw Park in Venice, about 30 minutes south, and Ken Thompson Park allows leashed dogs on the bayfront closer in. See the pet-friendly guide.
06 · Food & Drink
Food & Drink
No concession at the park, so pack a picnic and use the tables and grills. St. Armands Circle is about five minutes back up the road for cafes, delis and sit-down restaurants; the dining guide covers the scene.
07 · Chairs & Umbrellas
Chairs & Umbrellas
No beach-chair concession here. Bring your own seating. What you can rent on site is a kayak or paddleboard from the vendor at the launch.
08 · Water & Activities
Water & Activities
- Kayaking and paddleboarding through the mangrove-lined south end of the island, with rentals and tours offered by on-site vendors.
- Nature walks on the unpaved trails and wildlife spotting: birds, dolphins and rays pass right by the point.
- Quiet swimming, mostly on the bay side where the water stays calm; the Gulf side is unguarded surf, so swim with care.
- Shore fishing along the bay edge (a Florida saltwater license is required for most anglers 16 and older).
- No lifeguards anywhere in the park. Check the county flag system and currents before entering the water.
09 · Best For
Best For
10 · Important Rules
Important Rules
- No dogs or other pets in the park.
- Glass containers are prohibited on Sarasota County beaches.
- Grilling only in the provided grills; no open fires.
- Stay on the trails through the mangrove and dune areas; the vegetation is protected shorebird and turtle habitat.
- The point is a nesting and resting area for shorebirds and sea turtles: keep your distance, keep dogs out, and never approach nests.
Plan your South Lido day
Official Sarasota County park page and directions.