What's so great about Fort DeSoto Park beaches, you might ask? It's a combination of features that make this 1,136-acre, Pinellas County park's beaches so attractive to so many beach-lovers. The park, which comprises five interconnected islands, is located within a 20 minute drive of downtown St. Petersburg, and within 10 minutes or so of St. Pete Beach, so it is easy to get to by car.

The park offers a very popular campground with many shaded waterfront campsites. One TripAdvisor contributor with the username “jessieblue” wrote this about the campground: “You can choose the perfect waterfront campsite online surrounded by trees and blooming hibiscus, for just $25 a night. I've watched dolphins at sunrise and spotted manatees munching lazily on greens while on a bike ride around a cove.”

The Topwater Kayak Outpost rents canoes and kayaks for use in the park. There is plenty of quiet backwater for gliding quietly between mangrove-lined shores in search of wading birds, dolphins, and manatees. The staff at the Outpost is very friendly and will help you choose a kayak or canoe and get you started on your adventure. We enjoyed a half-day of kayaking and paddled all the way to the campground where we beached the kayak and took a walking tour of the shady campsites.

Fort DeSoto Park's two modern fishing piers extend into deeper water: one stretches into Tampa Bay, the other into the Gulf of Mexico. These piers are great for a relaxing walk, or for going on a serious fishing expedition. (Be sure to look for my upcoming article about southwest Florida piers, right here on VISITFLORID.com.) The piers are also a great spot to watch the huge ships that sail in and out of Tampa Bay. If you are on the smaller Bay Pier, you can watch the ships pass beneath the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. From the Gulf Pier, you can get a really close view of the ships as they navigate the deep Egmont Channel on their way to the Gulf.

My favorite scenic view in the park is right on top of the 100-plus year old Fort DeSoto. I love to climb the concrete steps through the thick vegetation to the highest elevation on the island. From there I can enjoy a peaceful view of the half-moon curve of the beach as it stretches to the north, and enjoy a birds-eye view of the Gulf Pier. There always seems to be a nice breeze on top of the Fort. And did I mention the cannons? Yep, the fort has real cannons too. And squirrels and raccoons too.

Another great thing about the park is the wide sidewalks that will take you all over the park. It's a pretty big park, so why not rent a bike at the concession and leave your car parked. Bike all over the park, or even bring your roller blades.

I've saved the best for last. Several miles of white sand beaches provide all the white sand you could want. There are essentially four main beach areas in the park. Because the main island in the park, Mullet Key, is sort of in the shape of an arrow pointing southwest, part of the beaches are facing Tampa Bay, and the rest are facing the Gulf of Mexico. East beach, with it's large shaded playground and picnic pavilions and facilities is just a short distance from the park's main entrance.

About half-a-mile away is the Bay Pier and Paws Park, where you can bring your dog to enjoy a fenced playground and the beach.

On the Gulf side is a long, wide beach with expansive areas of sea oats, grasses, and beach vegetation. This beach starts at the Gulf Pier and curves gently northward for several miles. Climb to the top of the fort for the best view of this beach.

Furthest north on Mullet Key is North Beach. This is the main beach for swimming. A huge paved parking lot, shaded picnic pavilions, some forested areas, and a concession serve a large white sand beach. The water is calm, clear, and quite shallow. You can walk north on the beach all the way to Bunces Pass and look across toward Shell Key. No doubt you will see some dolphins, and perhaps a manatee. You will surely return with a handful of shells and other treasures you've picked up. North Beach is the place to bring the kids for a swim.

With all these things in one park, it's no surprise that Fort DeSoto Park beaches are consistently rated as the Nation's top beaches.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your visit:

• This is a popular park, especially on weekends and holidays, and traffic can slow things down. Enjoy the park on a weekday, or arrive early on weekends and holidays.
• If you plan to camp, you'll need to make reservations months in advance.
• There are food concessions in the park with a limited menu. Bring a cooler with some healthy food, snacks, and cold beverages. Tierra Verde, the nearest community, has a few restaurants, but for the widest selection of nearby restaurants with convenient hours, it is easier just to drive another 10 minutes to St. Pete Beach.
• If you are vacationing on St. Pete Beach, you will need a car to get to Fort DeSoto. The Trolley does not stop there and it is too far to walk or to bike, unless you are a really serious bicyclist. If you take a cab, visit the park early on a weekday to avoid being stuck in traffic with the cab's meter running for a long time. Better to rent a car. It's worth the extra effort.
• If you want to swim, North Beach is the place to go. Other parts of the park sometimes have strong currents and there are signs posted that swimming is not advised.