Waves of Change – Effective October 1, 2009
There are new hours of operation for the Piers at Fort De Soto. The Gulf and Bay Piers will open at 7 a.m. and close at 11 p.m.
Please note that camping permits and shelter reservations for county parks can be made on-line. Annual county boat ramp permits may be obtained by calling the Parks office or by visiting one of three locations: Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde; Parks Office, 12520 125th St. N., Largo; and Belle Harbour Marina, 307 Anclote Road, Tarpon Springs. |
Spotlight
-- Fort De Soto Named America’s
Top Beach for 2009
Pristine Area Favorite Lauded as “Portrait
of Tranquility”
 Fort
De Soto Park was named America’s Top Beach
for the second consecutive year by TripAdvisor, the world's largest online travel
community.
Citing a “spectacular combination of
soft white sand, calm, clear water and a laid-back
atmosphere,” the popular online travel
network put the park’s North Beach at
the top of its annual best-of list, based on
TripAdvisor's Popularity Index.
This
marks the second time in three years the pristine
Pinellas County beach has received top honors
on an annual “best-of” list.
In 2005
Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr.
Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s
#1 Beach .
Beaches
are the number one recreational destination
for Americans. These sandy playgrounds that
line our coasts are the most extensive natural
parks in the country.
3500
Pinellas Bayway S.,
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Park Office- 727-893-9185
Campground Office- 727-893-9185
Automated Information Message: 727-582-2267
 location
map  gmap 
diagram
Fort De Soto park brochure
Fort De Soto park historic guide
campground
diagram
The
largest park within the Pinellas County Park
System, this park consists of 1,136 acres made
up of five interconnected islands. First opened
on December 21, 1962, when the state toll road
named the Pinellas Bayway was completed, this
park was dedicated May 11, 1963, in perpetuity
as a public park. Annual
park attendance averages more than 2.7 million
visitors.
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
1978. 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.
Renovation
and conversion of the East Beach concession
building to a picnic shelter was completed
in 1991. The new picnic shelter can easily
accommodate 200 visitors.
Complementing
the park's natural and historic features
are:
1.
Over 7 miles of waterfront, including almost
three miles of the finest white sand beach
in the United States.
2. An 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven
floating docks.
 3. A 238-site family camping area with facilities
including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity,
washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations,
modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a
camp store.
4.
Two large swim centers including a food concession
area located at the North Beach Swim Center.
5.
Two fishing piers--one on Tampa
Bay (500 feet long) and the other
on the Gulf (1,000 feet long).
Each pier has a food and bait concession.
6. Fourteen large group picnic shelters incorporating award-winning aesthetic
and functional design features.
7. Twenty storm-resistant public restroom buildings featured in several national
publications.
8. A snack bar/souvenir shop offering a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico.
9. A 6.8 mile, 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail connects the campground
with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort.
10. A 2.25-mile recreational canoe trail.
11. A 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. 12. Quartermaster
Museum
13. 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. download
brochure
14. A Dog Park
15. Youth camping area for organized youth groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,
Church groups, etc.
ATTENTION
PINELLAS COUNTY RESIDENTS
Ft.
De Soto campground is now taking camping
reservations for Pinellas County residents
outside the usual reservation window. Reservations
are taken seven (7) months in advance and
must be made in person at either Ft. De Soto
campground office or the Park and Recreation
Administration office. The
campsite must be occupied by the Pinellas
County resident making the reservation. For
verification of residency, a current Florida
Drivers license or Florida valid ID along
with a current utility bill will be required
at the time of reservation. For further information
call 582-2267 or 552-1862.
New rates with tax breakdowns campground
fees fo Ft. De Soto as of October 1, 2007:
| Tents,
Vans and Pop-ups |
(Sites
1-85) |
$30/night |
tax
Tourist Dev: $1.50
State: $2.10 |
Total
$33.60 |
| Other RV/Trailers |
(Sites 86- 236) |
$35/night |
tax
Tourist Dev: $1.75
State: $2.45 |
Total $39.20 |
Online
Campground Reservations
Virtual
Tour-
360° Views of Ft. De Soto
Park
 Gulf
Pier
North
Beach
Campground
Shelter
14
Pier
1
Boat
Ramp
Museum
Fort
Barrier
Free Trail
Dog Park
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.
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