Park Passport

De Soto National Memorial FL

Lat, Long: 27.52272613, -82.64335416

Designation: National Memorial

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.

Weather:

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.

Directions:

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.

For more details ›

Address/Contact:

8300 De Soto Memorial Hwy

Bradenton, US, 34209

Phone: 9417920458

Email: deso_interpretive_staff@nps.gov

Entrance Fees:

Reenactor Bill Boston on his horse Dixie in front of the De Soto Monument.De Soto Tim Burke greets on of the parks Junior RangersSunset at the Park