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Fort De Soto Park

USA / Florida / Tierra Verde /
 beach, park, fortification

2005 winner of "Best Beach in America"

Fort De Soto was named March 24, 1900 in honor of Fernando De Soto, the Spanish explorer who, commissioned by the King of Spain to undertake the conquest of Florida, landed May 25, 1539, and after lengthy wanderings and bitter disappointments, died and was buried in the waters of the Mississippi.

Ft. De Soto County Park encompasses Mullet Key, as well as several smaller keys, mangrove islands, and bays. The historic Ft. De Soto, coupled with its sister to the south, Egmont Key's Ft. Dade, protected the backwaters of Egmont Channel, once considered the shallower back-entrance to Tampa Bay. Today, the forts continue to stand guard on either side of the main shipping channel.

Mullet Key boasts two long fishing piers including Bay Pier on the south, and Gulf Pier on the west. Near the fort, bait shops, a souvenier center, and snack bar are provided. Picnic pavilions, restrooms, and showers are provided near the main beaches as well.

San Christopher Key is home to the busy Ft. De Soto Campground. Many campsites are located directly on Mullet Key Bayou.

Near Bridge Foxtrot (Pinellas Bayway Structure "F") at the park's entrance, one of the west coast's largest public boat ramps provides access to the shallow backwaters and seagrass flats of lower Boca Ciega Bay. Dash passes can be purchased from the dispenser for $6.00, in order to park at the boat launching area.

Visitors should be aware of the toll plazas on the Pinellas Bayway. Coming east from St. Pete Beach there is a $0.50 toll before the intercoastal waterway. Coming west from mainland St. Petersburg, there is a $0.50 toll after Eckerd College. Coming south from Tierra Verde to Mullet Key there is a $0.50 toll before Bunces Pass. There are no tolls when exiting the park to St. Pete Beach or St. Petersburg.

Currently there is much pressure on county officials to avoid the privitization of park services and amenities, and the expansion of new facilities, on what is one of the Gulf's last remaining semi-natural areas. Write your board of county commissioners telling them to stop developing Ft. De Soto into a virtual amusement park!
Fort De Soto Park is at the far southern tip of the city of St. Petersburg, Florida. This park, operated by Pinellas County, is made up from five offshore keys, or islands: Madelaine Key, St. Jean Key, St. Christopher Key, Bonne Fortune Key and Mullet Key (which is the main island). Today all are connected by land to each other. The island group is accessible by toll road from the mainland.

The park is a 'gateway site' for the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Visit the park's website:
www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=27.615036~-82.734647&...
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   27°37'48"N   82°43'16"W

Comments

  • fg (guest)
    bring your dog to the dog beach!
This article was last modified 14 years ago