Fort DeSoto's 1136-acres of unspoiled wilderness is unquestionably one of Florida’s premier beach parks – with the accolades to prove it. It includes 7 miles of beaches, two fishing piers and an extensive nature trail hopping over five interconnected islands. Of its two swimming areas, the long, silky stretch of North Beach is the best. It’s accessed by huge parking lots and offers grassy picnic areas, a cafe and gift store (open from 10am to 4pm weekdays and to 5pm weekends). The cafe oragnises bike ($10 per hour) and kayak ($23 per hour) rentals. East Beach , meanwhile, is smaller and coarser, and consequently less crowded.
The fort after which the park is named, and which dates from the 1898 Spanish American war, is in the southwest corner of Mullet Key, which was once inhabited by Tocobaga Native Americans. Union troops were later stationed here and on uninhabited Egmont Key during the Civil War. You can visit Egmont’s ruined Fort Dade by ferry from the park. Once there you can explore the fort and abandoned houses, say hello to the protected gopher tortoises, and go shelling and snorkeling (equipment hire $5) off the beach.
Fort DeSoto Park is signed off US 682/Pinellas Bayway (exit 17 off I-275). Parking costs $5.
