Fort De Soto
Tierra Verde, Florida · Gulf Coast · White sand, shallow lagoons, wildlife, paddling and historic coastal parkland
Fort De Soto right now
NOAA station 42098 at the Egmont Channel Entrance is used as the nearby open-Gulf reference. Latest reading: 08/29/2026 02:00 UTC.
See more of Fort De Soto
These location-specific photos show the qualities behind the rating: open white-sand shoreline, Gulf water, sunsets and protected wildlife habitat.
Where it is
Fort De Soto
3500 Pinellas Bayway S
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
● Main scoring anchor: North Beach Swim Center
Directions →Beach-day essentials
Pinellas County maps outdoor showers at the beach swim centers.
Public restrooms are provided at North Beach and elsewhere in the park.
Wheelchair-accessible facilities and a 2,200-foot barrier-free nature trail are documented by the County.
North Beach has a food concession plus beach-chair and umbrella rentals.
North Beach includes a shallow protected lagoon; East Beach offers calmer Tampa Bay water.
The park has Pinellas County’s designated dog beach and separate fenced dog areas.
Parking and access
Parking is $6 per vehicle per day. Pinellas County provides pay stations throughout the park, including five along North Beach. Payment is cashless through kiosks, mobile parking apps or pay-by-text; app/text payments currently add a $0.35 convenience fee. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset.
Food at Fort De Soto
Fort De Soto is a nature-first park rather than a walkable restaurant district. The North Beach concession gives beachgoers a practical food option without leaving the park, while additional park concessions and shops serve other areas.
Activities and watersports
This is one of the strongest parts of Fort De Soto: swimming, paddling, biking, fishing, trails, wildlife, ferries, historic sites and a dog beach are all available within the park.
Before you go
Pinellas County’s August 24, 2026 update says the far end of the Bay Pier is closed for hurricane repairs. Most floating docks at the boat ramp are also out of service except one, with phased dock construction expected through October 2026. These projects affect pier/boat-ramp use more than the North Beach day-use experience, but visitors planning boating or fishing should check the latest County update before driving.