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| Gulf Pier | Beaches | Camping area | recreation trail | Spanish American War Re-enactment |
Note: Highly intensive graphic pages, especially the Sunset and Wildlife pages, could be slow to load. |
Ft. DeSoto Park is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay in Pinellas County Florida, which also includes the cities of St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. The park is accessed through St. Petersburg and Terra Verde, on the Pinellas Bayway (State Highway 679). Five separate islands (or keys) (St. Christopher, St. Jean, Madeline, Bonne Fortune and the main island Mullet Key) combine to form the park. Ft. DeSoto park totals 900 acres and has seven miles of beach frontage. The park includes the following attractions: |
1000 foot Gulf Pier and the 500 foot Bay Pier for fishing - both piers have bait, tackle and food concessions. |
Arrowhead Picnic Area with picnic tables and grills available. The Nature trail is also in this area. |
Historic Fort DeSoto built in 1898, during the Spanish American War. In June 1998 there was a centennial Re-enactment showing life at Ft. DeSoto during the Spanish American War. |
Gift shop at the fort - which includes a snack bar. |
800 foot boat ramp with parking. |
Camping area - 235 sites, water and electrical hook-up, picnic table and charcoal grill. The campground also includes a camp store, dump stations, restroom/shower facilities, and laundry facilities. The campground is on St. Christopher and St. Jean keys. No reservations can be made by phone or mail, only in person and no more than 30 days in advance. Call (813) 866-2662 for further information. |
Beaches - North Beach by the Gulf, and East Beach on Tampa Bay ... during the swimming season lifeguards are on duty in the designated swimming areas. |
Picnic areas at both North Beach and East Beach. |
Paved recreation trail - for bikes and skates - or just for a walk. |
Canoe Trail - 2.25 mile self-guided. |
Park Headquarters phone - (813) 866-2484. |
