Exploring the Natural Beauty of Fort De Soto Park, Florida

Fort De Soto Park is a hidden gem located at the southern tip of Pinellas County, Florida. With its stunning beaches, natural habitats, and rich history, it’s a must-visit destination for nature lovers and history buffs alike.

The park gets its name from Fort De Soto, a military fort built in the late 1800s to protect Tampa Bay from potential invaders. The fort played a significant role in both the Spanish-American War and World War II before being decommissioned in the 1940s. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the fort, including the gun batteries and officers’ quarters.

The park is home to three miles of pristine, white-sand beaches. Whether you’re looking to swim, sunbathe, or take a stroll along the shore, Fort De Soto’s beaches offer something for everyone. North Beach, located near the fort, is a popular spot for families and has a playground, snack bar, and kayak rentals. East Beach is a great place to go shelling, and it’s also dog-friendly, with a designated area where pets can run and play off-leash. Finally, there’s the secluded, tranquil beach at the southern end of the park, known as Fort De Soto Beach. This beach is popular among locals and is a great place to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.

Fort De Soto Park is also home to a variety of natural habitats, including mangrove swamps, salt marshes, and seagrass beds. These habitats provide important breeding and feeding grounds for a diverse array of wildlife, including manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and shorebirds. The park offers several nature trails and birding opportunities, including the Arrowhead Nature Trail, which winds through a coastal hammock and offers views of the Gulf of Mexico.

For those looking to extend their stay, Fort De Soto Park offers camping options. The park has 238 campsites with electric and water hookups, as well as several primitive camping areas. The campsites are located in a wooded area and are just a short walk from the beach.

Fort De Soto Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty, history, and recreational opportunities. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, explore the park’s natural habitats, or learn about its rich history, there’s something for everyone at Fort De Soto. So next time you’re in Florida, be sure to add Fort De Soto Park to your list of must-visit destinations.

A $5 parking fee is collected at the entrance station approximately one mile into the park.

Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 3371

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri

Treasure Hunting: Discovering the Best Places to Find Sea Glass along the Gulf Coast of the United States

Although there are no beaches on the Gulf Coast that are specifically known for their sea glass, there are some locations where you can find a few scattered treasures along the shore. The Gulf Coast encompasses Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and I have personally visited almost every beach along this coast, from South Padre Island in Texas to Key West in Florida.

As someone who loves Florida, I can attest that it boasts some of the most stunning beaches in the United States. However, when it comes to sea glass hunting, Texas is the clear winner. That being said, you are unlikely to find any type of glass on the beautiful white sand beaches. Rather, your best bet is to search for spots with darker sand, some shell fragments, and a high population density or proximity to populated areas. If you follow my blog, you are likely aware of my affinity for Florida's beaches.

I am only able to find sea glass in four specific locations on a regular basis. While some of the pieces are beautifully polished, others are only slightly tumbled.

Bolivar Peninsula

High Island Beach, Old SH 87, High Island, TX 77623

Out of the entire peninsula, I have only been able to discover sea glass in this particular area. It's an excellent spot to uncover smooth glass in a range of colors.

High Island Beach

 310 Ocean Village Dr, Surfside Beach, TX 77541

Most of the glass is clear.

 Sea Rim State Park

19335 State Hwy 87, Sabine Pass, TX 77655

All colors, but very little

La Quinta Inn & Suites

7000 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597

Tons of brown glass

Wishing you luck on your sea glass hunting adventure!

   Sherri

Discovering Florida's Hidden Treasures: The Best Beaches to Find Shells in the Sunshine State

Florida is known for its stunning beaches and crystal clear waters, but did you know that it is also a great place for shell hunting? With over 1,350 miles of coastline, Florida has some of the most diverse and abundant collections of shells in the world. Whether you're a serious collector or just enjoy strolling along the beach, here are some of the best beaches in Florida to find shells

1. Fort De Soto Park

Located in Pinellas County, Fort De Soto Park has over seven miles of beaches with plenty of opportunities for shelling. This park is also known for its historic fort, fishing piers, and camping facilities. Get there early in the morning to find the best shells.

Address:

Fort De Soto Park

3500 Pinellas Bayway S.

Tierra Verde, FL 33715

2. Sand Key Park

Just a few miles south of Clearwater Beach, Sand Key Park has a wide beach and plenty of shells to discover. It also has a nature trail and playgrounds for families to enjoy.

Address:

Sand Key Park

1060 Gulf Blvd

 Clearwater, FL

3. Boca Grande 

Boca Grande is a small town on Gasparilla Island, located on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This quiet beach is a great spot to find rare shells, especially during low tide.

Address:

Port Boca Grande Lighthouse

880 Belcher Rd

 Boca Grande FL 33921

4. Tigertail Beach 

Located on Marco Island, Tigertail Beach is a popular spot for shelling. It also has a lagoon for swimming and kayaking, as well as a playground and picnic area.

 Address:

Tigertail Beach

430 Hernando Dr

 Marco Island, FL 34145

5. Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island is considered by many to be the "shelling capital" of the world. This Gulf Coast Island has over 15 miles of beaches and is home to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.

Address:

Sanibel Island

Periwinkle Way

Sanibel, FL 33957

6. St. Andrews State Park

Located in Panama City Beach, St. Andrews State Park has a beautiful beach with plenty of shells to collect. It also has a nature trail and fishing opportunities.

Address:

St. Andrews State Park

4607 State Park Ln

 Panama City Beach, FL 32408

7. St. George Island

St. George Island is a barrier island located in the Florida Panhandle. This quiet beach is a great spot for shelling, and you can also explore the nearby state park and lighthouse.

Address:

St George Island State Park

1900 E Gulf Beach Dr

 St George Island, FL 32328

8. T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, this state park has miles of white sandy beaches and is a popular spot for shelling. It also has camping facilities and hiking trails.

Address:

T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

8899 Cape San Blas Rd

 Port St Joe, FL 32456

9. Mexico Beach

Mexico Beach is a small town located on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This quiet beach is a great spot for shelling, especially after a storm.

Address:

Driftwood Inn

2105 US-98

 Mexico Beach, FL 32456

10. Cayo Costa Island

Cayo Costa Island is a barrier island located off the coast of southwest Florida. This secluded beach is a great spot to find rare shells, and you can also camp and hike on the island.

Physical Address:

4 Nautical Miles West of Pine Island (26.685789, -82.245381)

Cayo Costa, FL 33922

11. Honeymoon Island

Located near Dunedin, Honeymoon Island has a wide beach with plenty of shells to discover. It also has a nature trail and picnic areas for you to enjoy.

Address:

Honeymoon Island

1 Causeway Blvd

Dunedin, FL 3469

12. St Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States and has a beautiful beach with plenty of shells to collect. You can also explore the historic downtown area and nearby attractions.

Address:

Ocean Sands Beach Inn

3465 Coastal Hwy

 St. Augustine, FL 32084

13. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

Located in Palm Beach County, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park has a beautiful beach and plenty of shells to discover. It also has hiking trails and a nature center.

Address:

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr

 North Palm Beach, FL 33408

14. Little Talbot Island State Park

Located near Jacksonville, Little Talbot Island State Park has a wide beach and plenty of shells to collect. You can also explore the nearby nature trails and marshes.

Address:

Little Talbot Island State Park

12157 Heckscher Dr

 Jacksonville, FL 32226

15. Stump Pass Beach State Park

Located in Charlotte County, Stump Pass Beach State Park has a secluded beach and plenty of shells to discover. It also has hiking trails and fishing opportunities.

Address:

Stump Pass Beach State Park

900 Gulf Blvd

 Englewood, FL 34223

Happy Shelling!

       Sherri