DeSoto National Memorial Park
add photosPark grounds are open dawn to dusk, but the parking lot gates close at 5:00 p.m. Vehicles left within the parking lot after 5:00 p.m. will remain there overnight and may be ticketed. There is no overnight camping in the park.
Park is closed for New Years Day, Thanksgiving, & Christmas.
5 Reviews for DeSoto National Memorial Park
25
50 families found this helpful
"Beautiful Beaches!"
Ft Desoto Park is a beautiful place to spend the day. Very calm waves wont knock the kids about, but they are small enough to be fun. Plenty of shells to find, but not so many you can't walk. The water is clean & fresh and the sand is white. My kids also enjoyed exploring the nearby fort and walking down the pier.
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It's helpful1 family found this helpful
"Huge beautiful beaches!!!"
Fort DeSoto National Park is a beautiful place to visit. Picnic tables and grills are out there. Gets pretty busy on the weekends and especially during the summer months. Can pack up some coolers and spend the whole day out there. There is an actual Fort that you can walk through to learn about Tampa history. Fun for all ages and great place for the beach lovers. Not alot of shade so pack some sunscreen. Sand is clean and white.
Highly recommended for everyone!!!
0 families found this helpful
"Love this place!"
My family is actually gearing up to camp here tonight! The forts are great to explore, the camping is cool, and the beaches are pristine. If you want to visit a beautiful, historical part of Pinellas, Ft. DeSoto is IT! This is honestly one of the best destinations in FL.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
Hernando DeSoto is the local trademark historical figure. He supposedly first came ashore at the mouth of the Manatee River, where the United States has established its out-of-the-way DeSoto National Memorial Park. Displays, a re-created Indian village, an audio-narrated interpretive trail, and in-season living history guides recall the life and times of the sixteenth-century explorer and unfettered Florida.
2 families found this helpful
"Laid-back Encounter with Nature and History"
If you're looking for something distinct from the Florida amusement park chaos, Desoto Park can offer a fun half-day (or more if you pack a meal). The small visitor's center offers a couple of exhibits (conquistador's suit of armor!) and a film about Desoto. We found eager Park Rangers who gave our kids a simple quiz sheet to answer about the history and the nature surrounding, after which each kid got a Junior Ranger Badge and felt super-special. I've never been there on a day when they were doing demonstrations at the Indian Village, but they do have a schedule for that. The nature walk is as leisurely as you'd like it to be, with explanatory plaques along the way to read or ignore as you prefer. There are various points where the trail gets to small beach areas and kids (and dogs) can wade or swim. Some have benches for adults who want a rest, too. Be sure to bring a drink for each person (and sunscreen), as the Florida sun is usually quite hot, even in the shade. I'd also advise swimsuits, towels, and a picnic lunch, which you can leave in the car for later.
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