According to TripAdvisor.com the world’s leading online travel web site, and Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, better known as “Dr. Beach,” Fort DeSoto is a “spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, clear water and a laid-back atmosphere.”
This is the second consecutive year the park has won this prestigious national honor. What more could you ask for in a weekend boating destination? So make your plans, check the weather, be sure you have everything you need for a full day on the water and the beach, gas up your boat or drive over to Longboat Key’s Cannons Marina, Sarasota boat rental destination, and take one of their sturdy Grady White boats to the best and most accessible beaches in America.
Fort DeSoto Park encompasses over 1,100 acres, including five interconnected islands, over seven miles of waterfront, including nearly three miles of sugar-fine sandy beaches, an 800-foot boat launching facility and 11 floating docks. It’s custom-made for boaters and boating families.
They also have facilities for camping and picnics, including grills, water and electricity, restrooms, play areas and a well-stocked camp store. There are two sizable swim centers, the North one with a food concession area, as well as two fishing piers, a bait shop and a souvenir store. If you’re looking for exercise during your stay, a 6.8-mile recreation trail and two nature trails will provide fun and a great workout.
For more information on Fort DeSoto Park, contact the park office at 727-893-9185, or for an automated message, call 727-582-2267. Now get out on the water and have some boating  fun.