Fort De Soto Park

Fort De Soto Park 3500 Pinellas Bayway South
Tierra Verde, Florida 33715 United States
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ATTENTION PET OWNERS  

Canine Distemper Alert

County officials have confirmed Canine Distemper in Fort De Soto Park. If you notice an animal that appears sick or is acting strange, please call (727) 582-2100.

  • What is canine distemper?

Canine distemper is a contagious and dangerous disease that attacks the breathing, digestion and nervous systems of certain animals. Raccoons and dogs are more likely to get this disease than other animals. The disease is airborne, so animals can get the disease through close contact with infected people or animals. 

  • What are the symptoms of canine distemper?

The symptoms of distemper include fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, loss of  appetite and discharge from the eyes and nose. 

  • Is canine distemper fatal to dogs?

 Sadly, about one in two infected dogs die from this airborne disease. Dogs that are vaccinated for canine distemper have a higher chance of survival.   

  • Can people get canine distemper?

The virus does not cause illness or symptoms in people. However, humans can carry canine distemper, possibly passing the disease to pets and wildlife. 

Reminder, please do not interact with park wildlife.

 

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.

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 cent convenience fee for submitting your payment using the app or pay-by-text option. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted.

Photos

People enjoy blue skies at the beach

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.
  • Camping – 238-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 – each pier has a 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).
A photograph of three white dogs and one black dog playing in the water at the Fort De Soto dog beach.

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.

DateEvent NameEvent Organizer
04/06/2024Escape from Fort DeSoto TriathlonThunderbolt Multisports
04/20/2024Salty Sands Rotary RunThe Rotary Club of St Petersburg

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.