North Beach At Fort DeSoto Park - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Fort De Soto Park is the perfect location for a variety of outdoor activities. Not only does the park provide picnicking areas and playgrounds, but it also has miles of trails for hiking, biking, and kayaking. Visitors to the 1,136-acre coastal paradise can relax along seven miles of white sand beaches or explore the shores by swimming or fishing from two large piers. Traveling further inland reveals freshwater ponds and salt marshes filled with birds and other local wildlife.

Fort De Soto Park is a tropical paradise to explore with numerous attractions. Spanning over 1,050 acres, the park offers miles of picturesque shoreline perfect for swimming around the artificial islands and fishing off the piers. Visitors can also go kayaking or canoeing around the estuaries. Other great activities include camping, canoe races, bird watching tours and history discovery runs.

Egmont Key Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located in Hillsborough County. Its construction was completed in 1858 and it has been under National Park Service protection since in 1998. The lighthouse stands at an impressive 71 feet tall and provides a unique ambiance to the beaches of the area, where locals and tourists explore its ruins for a glimpse into the past. Even after its decommissioning in 1958, this Lighthouse continues to serve as an iconic symbol of Hillsborough.

Located on Egmont Key, at the mouth of Tampa Bay, it can only be reached by boat or ferry. The Egmont Key Lighthouse and the ruins of Fort Dade, a Spanish–American War era fort, are located in the park. The entire 328 acres (133 ha) island is actually part of Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge.

Pass-a-Grille Beach is the ultimate beach destination. Located at the far south end of St. Pete Beach, this serene and picturesque spot has something for each and every beachgoer. The crystal blue waters, gentle waves, and soft white sands combine to make this 8-mile gulf-side paradise perfect for swimming, sunning, shelling, and simply taking a romantic stroll. For those wanting to dip their toes in other activities, the nearby shops offer all kinds of souvenirs, crafts and more.

This is a popular fishing spot for anglers of all ages. With 4,000 feet of elevated pier stretching over Tampa Bay, visitors can expect to be able to take dramatic photos of sunrises and sunsets in addition to catching some fish as they explore the area. The waters here are rich in snook, tarpon, mackerel, redfish and other species. Amenities at the park include picnic tables and restrooms but no motorized boats or swimming are allowed.