Fort De Soto Park
727 464 3000
COTD Team Member Review – Lisa
$
Open 7:00 – Check local times but usually a few hours after sunset.
If you are looking for a white sandy beach to relax on for the day but don’t fancy fighting the crowd at St Pete’s or Clearwater then head a little further south to a gem of a beach – Fort De Soto. Named America’s Top Beach for 2009 by Tripadvisor and, in 2005, “Dr. Beach” named Fort De Soto the nation’s No. 1 Beach.
It’s about an hour and a half / three quarters drive from the Disney area to the park but it’s worth the little extra drive to avoid the tourist trap that is St Pete’s. Pay the $5 parking / entrance fee to get into the park and you’ll find ample parking along the length of the keys that make up the park. You can spend time at various spots if you want and move parking places whenever you want.
With miles of serene, sandy shoreline, this much-loved county park covers five islands and 1,136 acres on the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. You can explore on land or water, and you must visit the Spanish-America War-era fort. Did we mention you can take your dog as well!
There are plenty of bathrooms and changing rooms dotted all over and bicycle and kayak hire is possible also.
This area is one of our favorite go to’s. It’s not much further than St’Petes but so much more relaxing and easier to park. The beaches are pristine and walking around the Fort offers a welcome break from the sun (and it’s FREE).
3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, Florida 33715