We always include Fort De Soto Park in our triips to Florida. It doesn't get much better! Although, Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida is also wonderful. more

What a gorgeous park! There were dolphins playing right off shore and around the pier where people were fishing. The beaches are beautiful and uncrowded, a welcome relief after Clearwater Beach, which is nice, but wow! so unbelievably crowded. more

We loved North Beach! The sand was white...the water was clean. It is the best beach in FL we have ever seen. The bathrooms are close to the beach, also BBQ grills and picnic tables. The park also offers fishing, kayak rentals and bicycle rentals. We would pick Fort De Soto over Caladesi Island any day. more

Seriously, I used to live in Tampa Bay up till June of 01. Fort DeSoto has always been my favorite place to go. I remember when the sand bar barely broke the surface at low tide. The most protected swimming area is the lagoon, but between the lagoon and the main picnic/parking area, there is or at least used to... more

If one is looking to camp or park an RV near the Tampa area, this is the place! Hiking and biking trails, canoe/kayak rentals, pristine White Sand Beach, covered in seas shells and sand dollars. The campsites are comfortable, with water and restrooms (cold showers), lined with palm trees. Many of the sites sit right on the water. more

My husband and I go to Ft. De Soto's North Beach whenever we are in the area because it's so beautiful! This last week we managed 4 good beach days there. My husband actually went swimming once (the temps were in the low 80s). But it's a great beach even if you only sit and read, enjoy the view, or... more

Several things to report: 1. It's free to get in after you've paid the minimal road toll 2. The beaches are as beautiful as everyone says. We walked out really far in very shallow, clear water and saw tons of beautiful shells, sand dollars, small fish, and even a sea urchin. 3. If you hope to fish on the pier,... more

My first visit to this beach was in the off season, and while there were definitely others there, we each had so much room to ourselves it was amazing. I asked a park ranger how much busier it gets, and she told me that even during the peak weeks and months, the park is just so big that it never... more

When we first found this place it was on accident (we were lost) and we thought it was our own little secret!!! Not so,but it is still uncommercial, clean and just beautiiful!!!!!! Rent a Kayak and you might catch a glimpse of a mannattee or two. I disagree with a previous person, the beaches on the Gulf of Florida, especially... more