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National Memorial

De Soto National Memorial

  • Southeast

Plan a De Soto trip

About De Soto

In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting their homelands. De Soto’s quest for glory and gold would be a four year, four thousand mile odyssey of intrigue, warfare, disease, and discovery that would form the history of the United States.

From the National Park Service.

Region
Southeast
State
Florida
Designation
National Memorial
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to De Soto.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Mon
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tue
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wed
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thu
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Fri
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sat
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sun
9:00AM - 4:30PM

De Soto National Memorial is open with a Visitor Contact Tent. The park's Visitor Center remains closed due to Hurricane damage. The park cannot offer the movie at this time. Trails are awaiting rehabilitation and access is limited for those who need mobility assistance. There are portable restroom facilities and handwashing stations on site for visitor use.

Weather and when to go

Summers avg. Temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 80-90% Late afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common usually lasting only 10-20 minutes. Winters are mild and dry with lows reaching on average 60 degrees.

Getting there

Driving Directions: From I-75 Take exit 220 SR 64/Manatee Ave, Gulf Beaches exit. Travel west on SR 64 for approximately 12 miles to 75th St. W. Turn right onto 75th St. W. travel north approximately 2 miles to the northern terminus 75th St. W. turns into De Soto Memorial Hwy and dead ends into the park.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
8300 De Soto Memorial Hwy, Bradenton, FL 34209
Official site
nps.gov/deso

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for De Soto

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

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What to pack for De Soto

Gear & Essentials

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The basics

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For this trip

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