De Soto National Memorial
8300 De Soto Memorial Hwy
Bradenton, FL
Type
Park
Lens
Landmarks
About this place
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.
Website
National Park Service information
Hours
De Soto National Memorial
- Monday
- 9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Tuesday
- 9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Wednesday
- 9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Thursday
- 9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Friday
- 9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Saturday
- 9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Sunday
- 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.
De Soto National Memorial Entrance Gate and Parking Lot Hours
- Monday
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tuesday
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Wednesday
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Thursday
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Friday
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Saturday
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sunday
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
De Soto National Memorial is open seven days a week with exceptions of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. The park will also be closed during periods of severe weather like tropical storms and hurricanes.
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.
Official directionsWeather & Seasonal Notes
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.
Activities
Courtesy of the National Park Service
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