BEACHES VisitSPC.com/Beaches Fort De Soto VisitSPC.com/FortDeSoto • A 7-mile-long keychain of estuaries, pine-shaded recreation, and undeveloped beaches, Fort De Soto Park leaves visitors with memories to cherish for a lifetime. Start your day there by taking in a view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at the park’s East Beach . At the confluence of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the area’s crosscurrents make it a popular spot for kiteboarders . A few yards away from the Bay Pier, Fort De Soto’s Dog Beach invites a scenic romp with your best buddies. By the Gulf Pier , you’ll find the park’s Historic Fort . The bastion got its name from Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, erected in 1900 under threat of the Spanish-American War. No shots were fired, but you can see some of its artillery and learn about the fort’s history at the Quartermaster Storehouse Museum . Follow up with a shady stroll at the Arrowhead Picnic & Fishing Area . The pinnacle of Fort De Soto is its North Beach , where pine-shaded picnic areas give way to white-sandy beaches with glistening tide pools. Shoreline mangroves and jagged driftwood add an extra pow of natural beauty. Rent kayaks from the Topwater Kayak Outpost and row past the Soldier Hole cove into the Gulf. Rent seated two-person cycles or traditional two-wheelers and ride the paved, 6.5-mile Fort De Soto Island Park Trail . Last but not least, Fort De Soto offers waterfront campsites beloved by outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Reserve these coveted spots early! 34 AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
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