If you’re looking for something to do on a sunny Florida day, I definitely recommend checking out Fort De Soto Park!

Fort De Soto is a Pinellas County Treasure. It costs $5 per vehicle to enter the park., and once you’re in, you’ll see that Fort De Soto has more than just a Beach, the park has it all.

Fort De Soto consists of 1,136 acres and is made up of five islands. It is located in Tierra Verde, Florida – a 15 minute drive from St. Pete Beach, 20 minute drive from Downtown St. Petersburg, and 50 minute drive from Downtown Tampa.

There is so much to do at Fort De Soto. There are campgrounds, fishing piers, paved and natural trails, sandy beaches including a dog beach which is one of the only places in the area where you can let your dog off the leash at the beach, ferries to Egmont Key & Shell Key, kayak and canoe rentals, bike rentals, Quartermaster Museum and a Historic Fort.

Watch video here.

A little bit of history… As part of Spanish-American War, The military fort was named Fort De Soto after Hernando De Soto the Spanish explorer in the year 1900. The Fort never saw combat, and in 1977, the Fort De Soto batteries were placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

We enjoyed visiting the historic fort, including the structure resting in the sand. We also had a blast kayaking down For De Soto’s Kayak Trail. There you can explore mangroves and encounter the park’s wildlife. Fort De Soto park is worth a visit!