Looking for the perfect beachside camping experience in Florida? Fort De Soto Park offers stunning waterfront campsites, pristine beaches, and exciting outdoor activities. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a first-timer, this guide will help you plan an unforgettable trip!
We discovered a fabulous campground near a beach on the gulf!
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When neighbors told us about Fort De Soto Park, it sounded too good to be true!
It took us a while to get a reservation there.
Luckily, it just so happened to be right after our middle son’s college graduation!
What a great place to celebrate!
I’m so excited to tell you about our camping trip at beautiful Fort De Soto Park and Campground!
The Details of Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto Park is made up of five interconnected islands or keys that cover 1,136 acres!
There are tons of things to do in the park.
Enjoy the East or North Beach, two fishing piers, playgrounds, snack bars, a historic fort and museum, hiking on nature trails, and a fabulous campground!
Location
3500 Pinellas Bayway South Tierra Verde, FL 33715 Phone: 727-582-2100
RATES
Day use
Anyone can go to Fort De Soto Park for the day, but you must pay a $6 parking fee.
If you are staying in the campground, you do not have to pay the fee.
Tolls
We were surprised at the number of toll booths in the area.
To access the park and campground, you must pay a $1 toll to cross the bridge into Tierra Verde.
Similarly, to enter St Pete, you must pay a 75-cent toll on the Pinellas Byway.
Camping
Rates plus tax per night ranged from $45.77 to $53.68 at the time this post was written.
To get a map of the entire park click here.
The campground
Facilities
You can choose from 236 campsites equipped with water, electric hook-ups (30-50 amp), a picnic table, and a charcoal grill.
The campground is divided into three different areas.
If you bring a pet, they are allowed in Area 2, on sites 86-164 only!
Reservations
It is very hard to get a reservation for sites with a water view.
Even non-water view sites are hard to come by, especially on the weekends.
Be prepared to book at least seven months in advance, unless you can camp on weekdays.
Why we love Fort De Soto
Great Campsites
We love the campsites at Fort De Soto.
Although they are close in proximity to each other, the landscaping makes them feel more private.
Lots of palms and trees divide the sites.
Our site was very long and flat, which made the set-up very simple! It was very shady and had a tropical feel.
We were at campsite 157.
Our site was on the interior side, so we didn’t have a view of the water.
Well, not much water.
We did have this tiny bit of water to look at!
This is campsite # 149.
It was across the street from us, and you can see the water through the trees.
It’s so pretty, calm, and relaxing!
Here’s a view of the sun setting from campsite #149! Isn’t it gorgeous!
Clean Bath House
For a campground to get our seal of approval, it has to have a clean bathhouse.
Our camper has a tiny bathroom, which makes it very difficult to take a shower!
We prefer to shower at the bathhouse!
Fortunately, they clean the facilities every day!
I found the bathhouse’s round shape architecturally interesting!
It is not air-conditioned, but it was not very hot, even though the temperature was in the high 80s each day.
There is a washer and dryer at every bathhouse.
Outside the restrooms, they provide free plastic bags to dispose of dog doo, woohoo!!
Fun Things To Do at Fort De Soto
the beach
The main reason we went to Fort De Soto was to enjoy the beach and relax!
We loved that the beach was a short drive from our camper!
There are actually 3 miles of beautiful, white sandy beach.
So the first thing we did was to decide where to set up our umbrella and chairs!
We had to choose between the East and North Beach!
Here’s a little information on each!
East beach
The East Beach sits in front of the historic fort.
Although the beach is not very wide in this area, several wooden walkways make it easy to access!
This area is great if you have a lot of items to carry and don’t want to drag them through the soft sand.
It is also great if someone in your group needs a handicap-accessible way to get to the beach.
North beach
The North beach is much wider and has interesting waterways to splash around in.
Both beaches have nice restrooms, snack bars, and souvenir shops.
We decided to put our umbrella and chairs on the North beach.
Here’s our little piece of heaven!!
Poor Rich had to drag our cute little red wagon all the way across that soft sand.
Oh well, it was worth it, and he has more muscles now!
Explore the fort
This is the view from the top of Fort De Soto.
It is camouflaged with sand and brush, so you can’t even tell it’s there from the beachside.
If you’d like info on the Fort click here.
Birding
Our youngest son has become a bird enthusiast!
Needless to say, he was very excited because Fort De Soto is a bird-watchers paradise.
Over 328 species of birds have been documented here, and he couldn’t wait to add a few new birds to his list!
Here are a few of his favorite birds that he spotted!
TAKE EXCURSION TO OUTBACK KEY AND SHELL KEY
Now I’m going to turn the post over to Rich, so he can tell you about the excursion he and our youngest took to look for birds and shells!
The ferry to Shell Key
For $35 per person (at the time this post was written), you can take a ferry ride with Hubbard’s Marina, over to Shell Key.
Book online here and find info on drop-off and pickup times.
There is a bonus if you take the early ferry to Shell Key.
They actually make a stop at Outback Key first.
You can disembark there and head to Shell Key later.
They recommended spending 2 hours on Outback Key and then boarding the next ferry to Shell Key for the remainder of your time.
We took their recommendation, and it was great.
Outback Key is actually a sand bar that’s connected to the northernmost end of North Beach.
Although it is not officially part of Fort De Soto Park, many people pull up their boats to enjoy this thin strip of beach.
Beware, there are no bathrooms at either key.
However, there is one bathroom on the ferry for emergencies.
The ferry has a few snacks and beverages for sale, as well as bags for collecting shells.
Find Shells, Birds, and Other Creatures
Shell Key and Outback Key are absolutely beautiful.
There are also lots of shells to find.
The best shell I found was occupied, so I put it back.
Well, hello there, Mr. Hermit Crab.
There are lots of other creatures, too, especially a variety of crabs.
They are easy to see in the clear water and fun to catch and observe.
Bring a net, but be careful not to harm them and let them go later.
Many birds can be observed.
This is one of the only places to see the Oystercatcher with the orange bill shown above.
Hubbard’s Marina also offers a Dolphin Boat tour, but we saw many dolphins on our way back to the marina.
The captain stopped the boat several times to let us take pictures and watch these beautiful creatures.
I highly recommend taking this little side excursion during your stay at Fort De Soto.
our celebration
We had a fabulous time camping at Fort De Soto and can’t wait to go back again!
Oh yes, and I can’t forget to show you these special pictures of our newest college graduate in the family!!
He chose to stay in Florida to finish school online, so he did not walk during the ceremony.
Since he didn’t get a cap and gown, we bought a special cap to commemorate the occasion!!
We are so proud of him!!!
Here he is, wearing the red and black of Miami University!
In Conclusion
Camping at Fort De Soto is an unforgettable experience, offering the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty.
Whether you’re soaking up the sun on the pristine beaches, exploring the historic fort, or taking a boat excursion, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
With well-maintained campsites and breathtaking surroundings, it’s no wonder this park is a favorite among campers.
If you’re planning a trip, be sure to book early and come prepared for an incredible outdoor getaway!
Have you camped at Fort De Soto before?
I’d love to hear about your experience!
Share your favorite campsite, activities, or tips in the comments below!
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Blessings, Donna and Rich
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**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
What a cool place to camp and visit! You make it look and sound so inviting!
Thanks Kathy! It was a wonderful place and we did have a great time!