An Ultimate Guide to Fort De Soto Park

Sitting on the beach with about a million other Memorial Day seaside visitors at Fort De Soto Park, I absorbed the abundance of natural beauty as far as my eye could see. With miles of serene, white sandy shoreline, this county park covers five islands and 1,136 acres on the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Explore on land or water, visit a Spanish-America War-era fort, splash with your pups at the water’s edge, or lounge under a rainbow of beach umbrellas on sun-soaked beaches. 

The Historic Fort

After the United States entered the Spanish-American War, Tampa citizens demanded increased coastal defenses. The post was active from 1898 to 1910. The post featured 29 post buildings including barracks, a hospital, a mess hall, and a stable. The fort was constructed with both concrete and shells, along with stone.

Climb to the top of the fort, where cannons point at Tampa Bay, and sweeping views extend beyond the park. You can also visit the small Quartermaster Museum within the park. The park’s favorites are the two mortar batteries that defended the fort.

Beaches & Piers

Four beaches are within Fort De Soto Park; East Beach, Dog Beach, Gulf Pier Beach, and North Beach. The beaches are absolutely gorgeous and mostly unspoiled. You won’t see any Hilton high-rise hotels here. Instead, you will see a backdrop of preserved nature. In addition, two fishing piers are inside the park and are appropriately called Gulf Pier and Bay Pier

Bay Pier

At Bay Pier, you can see the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The Bay Pier is also where a ferry will take you to Egmont Key.

Dog Beach

Fort De Soto Park is one of the only places on the Gulf Coast where you can let your dog play off-leash at the beach. There’s plenty of room for them to run, splash, or even get on the board looking for that perfect wave.

Gulf Pier Beach

The tidal pool on Gulf Pier Beach is popular for families with young kids to splash around in. The white powdery sand beach contrasts the calm turquoise waters and provides refuge to the loggerhead sea turtle, which nests between April and September. Sand dollars and seashells often wash up on the beaches and provide a treasure to take home to remember your trip. Yep!, you could say this is paradise.

Gulf Pier

If you are more into fishing than flipping your fillet sunbathing, there are two fishing piers within the park; the Gulf Pier, and the Bay Pier. Both piers have food and bait; concessions are open from 7 am to sunset. The pelicans that hang out there will entertain you as you wait for a bite. During my visit, I saw two dolphins swimming around the pier.

Camping

There are 238 camping spots available at Fort De Soto Park and all have water, electricity, charcoal grills, and picnic tables. I was able to ride through to take a look and could not believe that camp spots on the water were vacant. I should have brought my tent. It is easily one of the most beautiful camping spots in Florida. Fort De Soto Campground does take reservations in advance and tends to sell out quickly.

Birding

Ft DeSoto Park is also the home to many migratory and nonmigratory birds. Tricolored herons, pelicans, white ibis, and snowy white egrets are often seen in the park.

Kayaking 

The best way to spot Florida manatees, wading birds, dolphins, sea turtles, and stingrays is to rent a canoe or kayak at the park and explore the tidal waters, which teem with wildlife. Canoes and kayaks are also available for rent by the hour or the day. Guided tours are a good option for first-timers and those who want to learn interesting facts about their surroundings.

Nature Trails

The Barrier-Free Nature Trail is a trail that allows all visitors, regardless of their physical abilities, to enjoy the beauty of Fort De Soto. This short loop has a graded path and touch-activated interpretive speakers, each marked with a concrete step to alert the visually impaired. Here visitors can experience the beauty of nature through touch, smell, sight, or sound.

The Fort Desoto Island Park Trail is a 7-mile paved path running the entirety of the offshore key allowing you to take in the native flora and fauna of the area. This is a popular trail for birding, road biking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of the day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. The paved trail connects North Beach, East Beach, and the camping area.

Conclusion

Whether you are enjoying the beach, exploring old forts, or kayaking out on the water, there is an activity here for everyone. Fort De Soto is a true gem of the west-central Florida coast and worth visiting should you find yourself in the St. Petersburg area.

Fort Desoto Park: 3500 Pinellas Bayway South Tierra Verde, Florida 33715

If you are looking for more outdoor adventure, Myakka River State Park is one of the biggest state parks in Florida. It sits just east of Sarasota, so it’ll take about an hour or so from Fort Desoto Park. There’s also a ton of wildlife, including gators, which you can often see from the bridges on the main road.