Fort De Soto's North Beach in Florida
Camp, Boat, Fish, Swim at Beautiful Ocean Park Near Tampa Bay
Apr 6, 2009
Beaches are the #1 recreational destination for Americans, and Florida offers some of the best! The three-mile North Beach at Fort De Soto Park was named America’s Top Beach by TripAdvisor in 2008, and by "Dr. Beach" (S.P. Leatherman of Florida International University) in 2005.
North Beach is a white-sand beach (gypsum and quartz) and is the largest beach at the park. Shaded picnic shelters, restrooms, showers, concession stand, and ample parking, plus golden sun, azure-blue skies, white sand, sparkling water – Fort De Soto has them all.
A Great Florida Beach and More
Fort De Soto Park has everything for fun in the sun – visitors say it’s “awesome”! The park is open every day and sees nearly three million visitors each year.
- swimming and sunbathing
- camping
- boating (launching facilities with 11 floating docks)
- fishing (two fishing piers; one on the Gulf and one on the Bay)
- canoeing and kayaking (2-mile trail)
- hiking and biking (7 miles of multi-use trails)
- nature trails (several short ones)
- barrier-free boardwalk
- bird watching (have your camera ready)
- Paw Playground (a beach for dogs!)
- Quartermaster Storehouse Museum (open everyday, free admission)
- Fort De Soto (original fortification dates from 1898)
- ferry to Egmont Key (an island wildlife refuge)
Fort De Soto Park is in Tierra Verde, south of the St. Petersburg-Clearwater-Tampa area. It’s located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, a short distance off Interstate 275.
Fort De Soto Park is a treasure nestled in sparkling Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Five interconnected islands (“keys”) comprise the park, so visitors are never far from the ocean: Madelaine Key, St. Jean Key, St. Christopher Key, Bonne Fortune Key, and Mullet Key (the largest of the five). The five keys total about 1136 acres. The park is operated by Pinellas County and is one of the largest county parks in Florida.
Florida Camping Made Easy
The full-service campground at Fort De Soto offers over 230 sites and accommodates tents, truck/van campers, popups, and RVs. Pets are allowed. During its busy season (January – April), campers are limited to a maximum stay of 14 nights. Check-in is 1:00pm and check-out is 11:00am. The campground has shower and laundry facilities, water and electrical hook-ups, a small convenience store, and a children’s play area.
It’s easy to reserve online, or call 727-582-2267.
A Slice of History: Fort De Soto
Even though the park only opened its doors in 1962, the fort dates back to the 19th century. Construction of the fort began in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. However, the fort was never the scene of any battles. Fort De Soto’s gun batteries are on the National Register of Historic Places. Portions of the fortifications have been reconstructed based on archival documents, photos, drawings, etc. Visitors to the Quartermaster Storehouse Museum will find a wealth of information on the fort as well as the living conditions of the soldiers posted there.
Planning Your Florida Vacation
Florida is a vibrant vacation destination. Beaches, film festivals, paddling adventures, Disney World, biking, birding – the list goes on and on. If you need help in planning what to see, where to stay, and how to get there, be sure to check VisitFlorida online for expert assistance.
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