Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto Park 3500 Pinellas Bayway SouthTierra Verde, Florida 33715 United States
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Storm Closure Update (Nov. 19, 2024)
While we make progress in our recovery efforts at the Fort Desoto Park and Campground, there is a high probability that campground sites may not yet be suitable for occupancy during next week’s Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We will advise with further details as more information is known. However, if you need to cancel an upcoming reservation, please contact us at 727-582-2100, and a representative will be happy to assist you.
Whether you are sitting on the beach or kayaking near the still water’s edge at Fort De Soto, you find yourself absorbed in the abundance of natural beauty as far as the eye can see. The complexity of the ecology is not immediately apparent, but the park offers the greatest diversity of systems just about anywhere. Emerging from the wealth of bird life, sea life, wildlife and plant life is the majestic tapestry called Fort De Soto.
The largest park within the Pinellas County Park System, Fort De Soto park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands (keys). These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods and scores of native plants. Each of these species plays a vital role in the preservation and protection of the natural environment.
Another amazing example of the importance of the park’s natural ecosystems is the more than 328 species of birds that ornithologists have documents over a 60-year span. New species are added every year. The beach also provides refuge to the loggerhead sea turtle, which nests between April and September.
Fort De Soto was named America’s Top Beach for 2009 by Tripadvisor, the world’s largest online travel community. In 2005, “Dr. Beach” named Fort De Soto the nation’s No. 1 Beach.
Fort De Soto named among the top 10 best dog-friendly beaches in America (2024).
Fort De Soto named among the top 10 beaches in 2024 by Dr. Beach.
Annual park attendance averages more than 2.7 million visitors.
Parking at Fort De Soto
Patrons can pay the County’s $5 parking fee using either the mobile parking apps, pay-by-text, existing parking terminals or annual pass. Please note: If you are using the app or pay-by-text option, there is a $0.35 convenience fee for submitting your payment using the app or pay-by-text option. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted.
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Amenities
- Historic fort guide
- Over 7 miles of waterfront, includes almost three miles of beautiful white sandy beach.
- Beach Wheelchairs – There are five first come, first serve beach wheelchairs available for use at Fort De Soto Park. To request a wheelchair, call (727) 582-2100, Monday – Friday from 8-5 p.m. Requests for wheelchairs during the weekend should be directed to either the gift shop or the campground office.
- 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks.
- Camping – 236-site family camping area with facilities. For information about camping reservations, cancellations, fees, facilities and rules, please visit our Camping Information page.
- Diagram
- Primitive youth camping area for organized youth groups
- 15 picnic shelters
- Rest rooms – diagram with locations
- Playgrounds
- Multipurpose trail – seven miles of paved trail connecting North Beach, East Beach, the boat ramp and the camping area. No motorized vehicles allowed.
- Two large swim centers including a food concession area located at the North Beach Swim Center.
- Two fishing piers – Gulf pier has food and bait concession – Gulf & Bay Pier Hours: 7 a.m. – sunset.
- Fishing license is required throughout the park, including fishing piers.
- Ferry service to Egmont Key
- Ferry service to Shell Key
- Concession/snack bar/souvenir shop
- Quartermaster Museum
- 6.8 mile, 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail connects the campground with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort.
- 2.25-mile recreational canoe trail.
- 1-mile nature trail in the Arrowhead Picnic area, and a 3/4 mile nature trail in the Soldiers’ Hole area provides a glimpse of some the native fauna and flora.
- 2,200 foot Barrier-Free Nature Trail is a self-guided interpretive trail providing access to nature for all visitors to Fort De Soto Park, regardless of their physical abilities.
- Dog park – Please review dog park rules. Fort De Soto has the only dog park where dogs are allowed on the beach in a designated area. There are also 2 fenced-in areas near the beach for large and small dogs with water stations (beach entrance is at the far southwest corner of dog park).
Hours
Open 7 days a week, 7 a.m. to sunset
Road Closures
Upcoming Road Closures Due to Permitted Special Events
*All roads will be open by 9 a.m.
| Date | Event Name | Event Organizer |
| 9/15/2024 | Fort De Soto Distance Classic | Junction 311 Florida LLC |
| 9/29/2024 | Fort De Soto Triathlon 4 | Integrity Multisports Inc. |
| 10/13/2024 | Halloween Distance Classic | Junction 311 Florida LLC |
| 10/27/2024 | Game on! Suncoast Triathlon | Game On Race Events |
History
The park property was first purchased from the federal government in 1938 for $12,500. In 1941 the property was sold back to the federal government for $18,404 to be used as a gunnery and bombing range during World War II. The property was repurchased from the United States in 1948 for $26,500.
The 12-inch mortar battery, located at the fort for which the park was named, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Adding to the historical interest at Fort De Soto, two British breech-loading, rapid-fire rifles of 1890 vintage were installed in March 1982. Markers showing the original building locations and a Quartermaster Storehouse Museum add to the park’s historic interest.