Tampa Bay boasts what Dr. Beach himself once dubbed the “best beach in the nation.” Fort DeSoto Beach, located near St. Petersburg in Pinellas County, is a pristine beach featuring great birding opportunities, a pier, and the remnants of historic Fort DeSoto itself. If you haven’t been to Fort DeSoto Beach, you’re going to quickly find that this place probably isn’t like any other beach you’ve been to.
While most beaches, especially in Florida, have been overshadowed by nearby high-rises, enormous parking lots, restaurants and other touristy fanfare, Fort DeSoto Beach spreads its 1,100 acres of natural and historic beauty just off the southern shores of Pinellas County on five islands: Mullet Key, Bonne Fortune Key, Madelaine Key, Saint Christopher Key, and Saint Jean Key.
History of Fort DeSoto Beach
Though Fort DeSoto Beach and the surrounding park was dedicated to the public in 1963, the site has historical ties dating back much further. In 1539, famous Spanish explore Hernando DeSoto landed in southern Tampa Bay – an area then populated with Native Americans.
Seeing Civil War action in the 1860s, the area now known as Fort DeSoto again played center stage for the military in the late 1890s during the Spanish-American War. The mortar battery that you can visit today at Fort DeSoto was completed in 1900. Fort DeSoto was abandoned after World War I, but the park was secured by the United States government as a bombing range during World War II.
In 1948, Fort DeSoto was sold to Pinellas County, and plans were made to open the park for public recreation and enjoyment.
Exploring Fort DeSoto Beach
If you have an entire weekend, you can easily fill it simply walking on the beach, prowling the park, and letting your curiosity go wild admiring the flora, fauna, and historic structures found all over the islands. Throw in time for fishing off the pier, boating in the nearby waters, or planning a sunset picnic and your weekend at Fort DeSoto Beach suddenly becomes too short. Staying at the Fort DeSoto Campground means getting rest during your vacation won’t mean a long drive from the park to a motel.
If you’re a local, you’ll most likely enjoy going to Fort DeSoto during spring and fall weekdays, when most tourists aren’t anywhere near the Pinellas County beaches. If, however, you are going to be traveling to Fort DeSoto Beach during the summer tourist season, over the winter holidays, or during the months of January and February, when northerners are in the region for long-term vacations, you’ll probably find the mornings are the best time to go.
As it goes, the early bird really does catch the worm when trying to avoid the crowds of the tourist season.
Getting to Fort DeSoto Beach
If you’re staring at a map, you’re going to find Fort DeSoto Beach and the surrounding Fort DeSoto Park hanging off the very end of Pinellas County, just a few miles west of the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Getting to Fort DeSoto Beach is simple.
- Take Interstate 275 to Exit 17 (54th Avenue South or Highway 682) and then head west on the Pinellas Bayway.
- Make a left onto State Highway 679; you shouldn’t be able to miss the Highway 679/682 intersection – there’s a very large bank of traffic signals spanning the intersection.
- Head south on Highway 679 for 5 miles.
Have your change ready, because there’s a 35-cent toll to get to Fort DeSoto Park. However, you’ll be happy to find there is free parking and free admission at Fort DeSoto, though!
Park hours generally range from 7 AM to dusk. The piers are open 24 hours, though.
If you want to find out more info about Fort DeSoto Park or Fort DeSoto Beach, you’ll want to call the park’s office at (727) 893-9185.
Resources
Personal and firsthand knowledge and experience
The Official Fort DeSoto Park Homepage
Fort DeSoto Historical Guide
Fort DeSoto Park Campground
Fort DeSoto Beach @ Best-of-St-Pete-Beach
Dr. Beach’s Top 10 List on USA Today
