Relaxing Fort DeSoto Beach Hike

This is a social beach hike at its most beautiful. This beach was named the best beach in America in 2005.. We will start at the east end of the park At the East Beach Parking Lot. From there we will hike along the beach westbound toward the Fort along beautiful Tampa Bay turning at the second pier northbound and up along the Gulf. We can all stop at the snack bar where we can get snacks or ice cream. Perhaps folks will want to hike out to the end of a pier and back or play with a dog as we walk through the beach dog park. Bathrooms and fountains are all along this hike too. Once past the pier and northbound we can stop and tour the Fort, where the only remaining Mortars from the Spanish American War era were recently restored and/or climb across the top of the fort for nice Gulf views. Once past the Fort we continue north along the beach cutting around a dense wooded area by briefly going inland, along the bike trial and back to the beach again. Expect to see abundant bird life and perhaps a racoon or two. I plan to hike toward the North Beach and turn around, about 8-9 miles roundtrip from the start but if the group decides a shorter length, that is fine.

Though I scheduled this hike for 3.5 hours, anyone can make this an all-day hike by stopping at multiple areas for food or snacks, bathrooms, water fountains, etc. or return to your car earlier, just follow the beach (please let someone know if you leave early). I hope to maintain this as a group event until its conclusion. Everyone is expected to have a slackpack with water, water shoes (for shallow water walking) or sandals for the any asphalt walking, snacks if you want and sunscreen. While there is a dog section of the beach, this is a no dog hike. Afterward we can all go over to Billy’s Stone Crab for Lunch. There is a $6 charge to enter Fort DeSoto. Thanks.