Fort De Soto Park
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This beauty of a park on Mullet Key south of Saint Petersburg features options for swimming, camping, fishing, kayak rentals, food purchase, and has ferry service to both Egmont Key and Shell Key. Helpful signs point the way and there is plenty of parking. Amenities include large picnic shelters, a playground, a boat ramp, several miles of trails, and a dog park.
On the southern edge of the island near the dog park is the extensive dog beach where all species can play in the sand and sea together. Places like this are important and this one is worth the visit.
To the west of this is the ruins of Fort de Soto. The fort originally consisted of twenty-nine buildings, which are now collapsed, some of them into the sea. It was built shortly after the Spanish-American war in anticipation of future wars, but was never used. The guns are hidden behind a hill and the operators could not see what they were aiming at. Instead, artillery spotters in towers had to telephone the information to them. They must have had to do some very fast trigonometry. Visit the Quartermaster museum while you are there.
On the southern edge of the island near the dog park is the extensive dog beach where all species can play in the sand and sea together. Places like this are important and this one is worth the visit.
To the west of this is the ruins of Fort de Soto. The fort originally consisted of twenty-nine buildings, which are now collapsed, some of them into the sea. It was built shortly after the Spanish-American war in anticipation of future wars, but was never used. The guns are hidden behind a hill and the operators could not see what they were aiming at. Instead, artillery spotters in towers had to telephone the information to them. They must have had to do some very fast trigonometry. Visit the Quartermaster museum while you are there.
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Next to the fort is another beach where swimming is not allowed. This is a favorite spot of sandpipers and pelicans. There is a pier for fishing, or you can just sit and watch the waves.
On the western tip of the island is the north beach. It is a gigantic world of bright, white sand. Be prepared to wade through a narrow inlet at high tide to get from the picnic table area to the main beach beyond.
On the western tip of the island is the north beach. It is a gigantic world of bright, white sand. Be prepared to wade through a narrow inlet at high tide to get from the picnic table area to the main beach beyond.
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Also be prepared to pass through multiple toll booths in the area depending which way you come. They will also charge five dollars at the gate. Find a PDF map at the website.
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3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL
Visit Website
3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL