Fort De Soto Park Camping
One of the most beautiful Florida campgrounds that we have stayed in is located at Fort De Soto Park Campground in Tierra Verde. It is the largest park in the Pinellas County Park System, and is located on Mullet Key, one of five offshore keys southwest of St. Petersburg. The park boasts over 7 miles of waterfront, including nearly three miles of gorgeous beach. It would be a treat just to visit for the day, but camping overnight in these beautiful surroundings is the icing on the cake!
History of Fort De Soto
Besides all of its natural beauty, Fort De Soto Park also has a very interesting history.
This key was originally inhabited by the Tocobaga Native Americans, and then the Spanish explorers came in the 1500’s. First Narvaez and ten years later, Hernando De Soto, the park’s namesake.
Much later, the Union Army stationed troops here during the Civil War to aid in the naval blockade of Tampa Bay. It was also used as a quarantine station during the 1800’s to inspect those travelers aboard ships coming from foreign ports.
To protect Tampa Bay from invasion during the Spanish American war, a fort was constructed and active from 1898 to 1910.
During World War II, Fort De Soto was used as a bombing range by the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Finally, Fort De Soto became a county park for public use in 1962.
On site is a Quartermaster Storehouse Museum where you can learn so much more about the fascinating history of this area. Also, you can see up close and personal, the 12-inch mortar battery, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
A Day at the Beach
Oh my gosh – what a gorgeous place!
Upon our arrival to Fort De Soto, we were much too early for our 1:00 check in at the campground, so we decided to check out the fort first. We noted the 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail that connects the campground to the fort and beaches. So many people were enjoying it with their bicycles, and once again we thought how nice it would be to have bikes. Maybe in the future that will happen, but for this day, we were happy and satisfied to have our home on wheels with us.
The fort area and museum were very interesting, and we would highly recommend a visit.
Once we were done soaking up history, we were more than ready to soak up some sun.
We were told that from the East Beach, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was visible, so we drove a very short distance, and there it was! As we walked along the beach, we got our photos of the bridge, then drove back up to visit the North Beach.
Although the East Beach is scenic, the North Beach blows it out of the ocean!
White powder-sugar sand, plenty of shells, picnic pavilions, beautiful gulf waters, and a great concession area with food, restrooms, and souvenirs. It’s paradise!
We spent the whole afternoon walking the beach and sitting in our chairs watching the waves rolling in.
The best part of this day, was that it didn’t have to end here. We were staying the night!
Spending the night in Paradise
Fort De Soto Campground has 238 sites, but it is extremely popular and therefore, hard to get a reservation. Fortunately, we were able to get one night only.
Site 98, with water and electric, was our spot in the pet-friendly loop. We don’t have a pet, but it was literally the only site available when I checked online months ago. I’ve since found out that Florida residents can make online reservations 7 months in advance, and non-residents can make them 6 months in advance. And they fill up almost immediately.
The site was beautiful. Very private with lots of vegetation. I strolled around and noted that for next time, a water-front site would be even more awesome!
After dinner, we were treated to a stunning sunset that we could see through the palm trees. A perfect ending to a perfect day.
Just Another Day in Paradise
Check out time was 11:00, so after breakfast and a walk around our campground loop, we started packing up. Our neighbors across the street had already left, and I noticed a squirrel sitting on top of their water hook-up bending down to get a drink from the drips. Smart little guy!
We couldn’t resist going back to North Beach before moving on. So, after disconnecting from our site, we headed back to the beach. How wonderful it was to be minutes away! After combing the beach for shells, I walked out to the end of the pier. What a treat that was!
Before leaving, we made a return trip to the fort area. Walt is a veteran of the U.S. Army, and was boots-on-the-ground in Vietnam. He was in the 4.2” Mortar Platoon, so he was very interested in the unique mortar battery at Fort De Soto. When it was completed in 1900, it was a new design used to house the 12” mortars. The battery had thick walls and ceilings and was camouflaged with a massive amount of dirt. Each gun had a 12-man crew to load and aim it. I can’t even imagine the sound of it being fired and the immense power behind it.
It was a day well-spent, but it was time to move farther south to our next destination. But first, some lunch. Once again, I felt like pinching myself. To have such a magnificent morning on the beach and then be able to prepare and eat our lunch in our own little home with a view of the ocean out the window. Pretty picture-perfect.
Camping at its Best!
Fort De Soto Campground has become one of my favorites. It’s so beautiful, and well-maintained. And so much to do! We only scratched the surface on our first visit.
If you kayak or canoe, there are rentals here, as well as some campsites where you can launch right from your site. There are also two fishing piers.
Dogs are welcome at the two fenced-in dog parks near the beach, and are allowed in designated areas on the beach.
The paved trail is over six miles long, and runs from the campground to both the East and North beaches – a cycler’s dream.
Sunsets over the gulf are spectacular!
Our fee for one night’s stay in January 2022, was only $ 43.51 total. If you are staying at the campground, the $5 parking fee at the beach is waived. There is no admission fee for the fort or museum.
Two days and one night in paradise for $43 – what more can I say?
So amazing to see and read all this!
Really felt like we were there too !!!
Beautiful description and photos!!!
Thanks so much for sharing ❤️
We so enjoyed your trip! 🎉