Explore Fort Desoto - Tidal Pools, Beaches and Trails - Bring a Friend!

Get ready for another great day trip to Fort Desoto. Three meetup groups will be attending.

Fort Desoto is one of the best beaches in Florida. To make it even more official, Fort De Soto was once named the “Best Beach in the entire United States” in 2005 by “Dr. Beach” Stephen Leatherman.

The water is clear, the sand is amazing, and there is a huge amount of parking. For $20 we can take a boat to Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge.

Some of us will be bringing bicycles. You also can rent bikes by the concession stand.

We will be setting up a large tent on the north beach. There are restrooms nearby. I will bring a large cooler. I recommend bringing in your own sandwiches and drinks to save money.

If anyone wants to carpool, I live by 41 & 72.

See you there!

Welcome to Edgemont Key State Park

Although this park is primarily a wildlife refuge, it can be a personal refuge - a place to relax and collect shells along secluded, pristine beaches.

Accessible only by boat, Egmont Key has a unique natural and cultural history, including a lighthouse that has stood since 1858. During the 19th century, the island served as a camp for captured Seminoles at the end of the Third Seminole War and was later occupied by the Union Navy during the Civil War. In 1898, as the Spanish-American War threatened, Fort Dade was built on the island and remained active until 1923.

In addition to touring the historic sites and trails, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, wildlife viewing and picnicking. Egmont Key is located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, southwest of Fort De Soto Beach.

Due to the remote nature of the island, there is no drinking water on the island and there are no stores. Please remember to bring water, food and sunscreen when you visit.