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The Fort Desoto Island Park Trail is a paved path running the entirety of the offshore key for 6.6 miles.
About the Route
Lying southwest of St. Petersburg, visitors to the Fort Desoto Island Park Trail, visitors to the island will notice remnants of the former military fort on the island and have access to two piers, beaches, picnic areas, camping areas, bicycling trails, a kayak trail, and a ferry to Egmont Key State Park. Bike rentals are available on site and fishing is permitted. Visitors to the island will also enjoy the Tampa Bay overlooks all along the trail.
The trail is also known as a gateway site for the Great Florida Birding Trail, a collection of more than 500 locations in the U.S. state of Florida where the state's bird habitats are protected.
The Fort Desoto Island Park Trail runs throughout Fort Desoto Park.
Parking is available at:
Some of these parking options do not have official addresses so please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Excellent trail to bike ride, exercise and see nature at the same time. We had a wonderful day!! Taking care of our health, body and mind. I love it!!
Very much enjoyed riding this trail in Fort Desoto Park. Things to see along the way. Beautiful cooler day in early October.
About 13 miles if you start at 1 end and go to the other. Nice paths. A couple of places to stop for water. Costs $5 to park which you pay by an app. Also paths go north out of the park for a longer ride with great views of the Gulf and the water in the area.
We bought new electric bikes while vacationing in Palmetto, FL. It was a very nice long trail to try them out. Can’t wait to go back.
I love this trail! Just be sure to bring sunscreen. Not much in the way of shade but it’s a great run.
I have been going to this trail for years. A while back, it was free to enter the park other than a small toll to get there ($0.35). I started parking at the baseball facility a couple of miles before the park entrance and rode my bike in for free. The path into the park is as good as the path in the park and adds some mileage to the ride.
Title says it all. Note it gets very hot out there. Not much cover on trail.
A beautiful course and opportunity to learn some history while enjoying the great sights along the Gulf and intercoastal waters.
Went on a great bike ride today she enjoyed herself and soda die
This was a nice Saturday afternoon ride. We started in front of the park headquarters and ended up riding both directions and a little the second time around to get 14 miles. It was easy going for casual riders, but the walkers and 4-wheeled pedal cars would make it frustrating for any speedsters. We appreciated the convenient restrooms. Although we did not visit them, an historic fort, piers, and beaches were all a stone’s throw from the trail.
love this trail for many reasons
This is a great park with a well-maintained trail. Not on the road which I appreciate. Beach is just steps away throughout the trail. Beautiful. Note: $5 parking fee, but hundred of parking spots all over the park.
If you want to ride on the Gulf to a secluded beach this is the park. All paved but a little short distance wise. A beautiful scenic trail and not too many people if you go off season. $5 to get in the park but they do a good job on the trail
Have done 3 times this Feb. Vacationing on Pinellas Bayway S, so was able to just ride down to & thru the park. Makes for a nice 15 mi ride.
Nearly 10 miles of trails on Fort Desoto Island. The main trail is 7miles along the beach, and then there is a 3mi trail on the causeway. The trail is wide and well maintained. Lots of parking, facilities and beach access. Only issue is that there is very little shade on the trail, so it may not be comfortable on a hot day.
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