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Fort De Soto Park

Photo: Pinellas County Parks / Courtesy of Pinellas County Parks · source

Beaches

Fort De Soto Park

Tierra Verde, FL · Tampa Bay

About

Fort De Soto Park covers five keys at the mouth of Tampa Bay, and the coastal guns of its 1898 fort are still mounted in the batteries, which you can walk through. Nearly three miles of white sand face the Gulf, with a separate stretch set aside for dogs. The Gulf Pier and the Bay Pier both sell bait and snacks. Ferries go out from the park to Egmont Key and Shell Key, both undeveloped, for shelling and snorkeling.

Highlights

Almost three miles of white-sand Gulf beach across 1,100-plus acresHistoric 1898 fort with mounted coastal guns you can exploreTwo fishing piers, the Gulf Pier and Bay Pier, each with bait and snacksFerries to undeveloped Egmont Key and Shell Key for shelling and snorkelingBeach dog park, paddling trails and the accessible Barrier-Free Nature Trail

Getting there

3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715

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