Hi looking for info on Ft. Desoto, can you tell me if there is enough things to do at the campground and surrounding area for kids for a full week? Also we are reserved for site 188, it appears to be a waterfront site, anyone familiar with that site and could tell me if there is water access or can the kids fish from the site? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks

It depends what your kids want to do and how far you deem the surrounding area to be. Without driving off the island, there's beaches and water activities, hiking, biking, and some historical museums. There are of course many things to do in the Tampa/St Petersburg area, but it's a bit of a drive to get off the islands and into the cities—on the order of eight or ten miles.You can get a campground map online here (pdf file). Site 101 abuts a seawall, so you're on the water but not the beach.It is a lovely park and campground, in my opinion. I camped there with some good friends maybe a decade ago and remember the times fondly.

We were there last month, and I recall seeing people fishing from the campground. You can also keep kayaks at your site and launch from there. There is a watersports concession in the park with bait for sale, kayak and bike rentals - google water sports rental Ft. DeSoto and you'll find it. They have a store inside the campground just past the entrance.It's a big park. The campground has a sea wall around it and it is not a swim area. You drive or bike to swim from the beautiful sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico. I think there is a fishing pier over there, too. There are boat trips to an offshore island.The kids will probably enjoy the old fort with cells and places to climb up. There's also an old Quartermaster Museum. You can see some interesting wading birds, often strolling through your own site.You know your children best - I would have loved it as a kid just for the beach alone, but there aren't game arcades, movies, amusement park rides, etc. there or close by.

Here is GOOGLE VIEW of FORT DE SOTO PARK...Sure looks like a great place to camp for a week to me...FORT DE-SOTO PARKMouse click on the views that catches your eye for more info...Roy Ken

Here is GOOGLE VIEW of FORT DE SOTO PARK...Sure looks like a great place to camp for a week to me...FORT DE-SOTO PARKMouse click on the views that catches your eye for more info...You can also do a GOOGLE MAP SEARCH EARTH VIEW and probably get a great SATELLITE VIEW of the camp site. Will give you a good idea what the sea wall will look like...Roy Ken

also right near there they have a small hydro plane type boat ride where two people to a boat control a 1 hour trip around the area there and is navigated by a lead boat that narrates by speakers in each boat about what you are seeing as you cruise along. Great fun lille ride. Think it is about $64 a boat for fee's.

Ft. Desoto | Good Sam Community

KO
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Ft. Desoto is a great stay. I have staryed there several times. I usually stay for about 10 days. If you have dogs - it is one of the best dog runs I have ever been too! They can run and play in water on the beach.

Many weekends have races (bike/runner). Beaches are nice. There is a somewhat small but convient store in campground. I have a kayak and take it as it is great paddling.

Enjoy.
Mich_F
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
NoVa RT wrote:
One question, is the beach accessible within the campground? Like via bikes or do we need to pack up and drive over?

North Beach is further from the campground, maybe not impossible to bike, but I don't recall seeing anyone do it. We drove.

I've done it. :B
I didn't know how far it was.
I just noticed on the link to the campground, that it's about 1 mile to the east beach and 5 miles to the north beach.
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
One question, is the beach accessible within the campground? Like via bikes or do we need to pack up and drive over?

North Beach is further from the campground, maybe not impossible to bike, but I don't recall seeing anyone do it. We drove.
Bears_Den
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
Just keep an eye out for the raccoons they are very friendly but I wouldn't want to be bitten by one. Could ruin your trip. The fishing pier along the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a favorite place and not too far of a drive. Enjoy!!!
Mich_F
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
petestulipbug wrote:
Thank you so much to everyone for your replies. One question, is the beach accessible within the campground? Like via bikes or do we need to pack up and drive over? Thanks again!

The beaches are outside the campground, but within the park. You can ride a bike along the nice bike trail to the beach,pier,fort area. For those with a boat, there is a boat ramp/launch area, also within the park, which is the largest I've seen anywhere (and I'm pretty old :B).
petestulipbug
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
Also, wanted to add, we will be there next week!
petestulipbug
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
Thank you so much to everyone for your replies. One question, is the beach accessible within the campground? Like via bikes or do we need to pack up and drive over? Thanks again!
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Mar 15, 2015
The North Beach is fantastic - warm water & soft, white sand. The other beach was somewhat "seaweedy" when we were there. If you're there during the baseball season, Rays tickets are generally available, they don't draw that well. Tropicana Field may not be the perfect stadium, but you don't have to worry about a rainout. Bring lots of quarters for all the tolls going in & out of the park.
bobjogone
Explorer
Mar 15, 2015
Ferry ride to egmont key national wildlife refuge
Bike trails
Tachdriver
Explorer
Mar 14, 2015
You did not say when you will be going, I will be there in June.

They do have great beaches on the west side of the park, a kayak rental for the brackish water area where you can see manatees and dolphins. I am not sure what activities your children like to do but when I was a kid the beach had all my interest.

As someone mentioned earlier there are other sights to see in St. Pete and Clearwater including an aquarium in Clearwater. The St. Pete Pier is popular, there are boat excursion to the key/island off shore, all within a reasonable drive.

There are many families that stay in that campground in the park with children, you will be in good company.

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