Tierra Verde

One of the more famous spots in Tierra Verde is the Fort De Soto Park. Fort DeSoto Park is located off the Pinellas Bayway S (State Road 679) at the southmost end of Tierra Verde, FL. Ft. DeSoto was created in 1963 and is named for the Spanish Explorer Hernando de Soto who explored and conquered the native populations in the area of western Florida, the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and through central and South America. The Park covers over 1,100 acres and is the largest park run by Pinellas County. Made up of 5 Keys: St. Christopher Key, Madelaine Key, Bonne Fortune Key, St. Jean key and Mullet Key, the largest of the islands and where many of the attractions in Ft. DeSoto park are located. Ft. DeSoto is a County Park, managed and operated by Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources.

Ft. DeSoto Beaches are considered some of the top beaches in the U.S. Other attractions on the island include fishing, two piers, trails for hiking, cycling and kayaking, the ferry to Egmont Key State Park and Shell Key, beaches, picnics, 800’ boat launch, camping, playgrounds, dog parks, the Quartermasters Museum and much more. The Ft. De Soto historical batteries have been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.

The entrance to the park is completed by crossing over Bunces Pass Bridge, at the end of the Pinellas Bayway, and coming on to Madelaine key.