Conservation Resources
Administration
12520 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33774
(727) 582-2100
Contact Us - gmap
Fort De Soto Park
3500
Pinellas Bayway S.,
Tierra Verde, FL 33715 - gmap 
Park diagram, amenities, restroom info 
- Road Closures
Park Office (727) 552-1862
Campground Office (727) 893-9185
Automated Information Message: (727) 582-2267
| Pay booth collects the daily parking fees of $5. Annual parking passes available. If you have a valid Disabled Parking Permit/Tag, you are not required to pay the daily or annual fee. A fee is not collected from persons entering the park on foot or by bicycle. |
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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 for 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, wild life 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 have been documented over 60 years by ornithologist (examples of some of the birds found at Fort De Soto- send in your photos) 
. New species are being 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 Trip Advisor, the world's largest online travel community. In 2005, “Dr. Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s #1 Beach.
Annual park attendance averages more than 2.7 million visitors.
Amenities:
- Historic fort guide
- Over 7 miles of waterfront, includes almost
three miles of beautiful white sandy beach.
- 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks. see boat ramp permit
- Camping - 238-site family camping area with facilities
- Primitive youth camping area for organized youth groups
- 15 picnic shelters -reserve shelters online
- Restrooms - 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
- A lifeguard is on duty 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily on a seasonal basis from March to September
- Two fishing piers-each pier has a food and bait concession - Gulf & Bay Pier Hours: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.- Help for Hooked Birds
- Ferry service to Egmont Key
- Concession/snack bar/souvenir shop
Restroom UpdateAs an additional cost-saving measure, some restrooms in county parks are closed weekdays. However, facilities near most popular user areas remain open during all hours of park operation. All restrooms in county parks will be open on weekends. See park diagram for details Virtual Tour - 360° Views of Ft. De Soto Park
Gulf
Pier
North
Beach
Campground
Shelter
14
Pier
1
Boat
Ramp
Museum
Fort
Barrier Free Trail
Dog Park - 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 - 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 - view dog park- (beach entrance is at the far southwest corner of dog park, not shown). Please review dog park rules.
In the News:
- Annual Beach Parking Permit: Permit includes vehicle parking at Fort De Soto Park, Sand Key Park, Howard Park Beach and Causeway. This permit is not valid at county boat ramp locations.
Road Closures: Roads will be open by 9 a.m.
5/18/13 7/27/13 |
YMCA Leaders' 5 K Multirace Triathlon Series |
History:
The islands that are now know as Fort De Soto Park are Mullet,(fort site), St. Christopher, St. Jean, Madelaine and Bonne Fortune keys. The earliest known inhabitants of the Tampa Bay area were the Tocobaga Indians, who disappeared within eighty years of the arrival of Spanish explorers in the early 1500's. Fort De Soto Historic Guide
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 1978. 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.
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