DE SOTO NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Bradenton, FL
Description
The mission of De Soto National Memorial is to preserve
the controversial story of this four year, four thousand
mile odyssey and interpret it's significance in American
history. Visitors can attend living history demonstrations,
try on a piece of armor, or walk the nature trail
through a Florida coastal landscape similar to the
one encountered by conquistadors almost five hundred
years ago.
Contact Information
P. O. Box 15390
Bradenton, FL 34280-5390
Visitor Information
(941) 792-0458
Fax
941-792-5094
Operating Hours & Seasons
Visitor Center is open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
closed New Year's, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.
Park grounds are open dawn to dusk. Parking lot gates
close at 5:00 p.m.
Getting There
Plane
Sarasota-Bradenton Airport (20 miles) Tampa International
Airport (50 miles)
Car
De Soto National Memorial is located at the northern
terminus of 75th Street North West, Bradenton, Florida.
Visitors can reach the park from I-75 or I-275.
From I-75 follow State Road 64 west (also Manatee
Avenue), for approximately twelve miles to 75th
Street West. Turn right (north) onto 75th Street
West, and proceed two and five-tenths miles to the
park entrance and the terminus of 75th Street.
From I-275 exit 1, follow US-19 into Bradenton.
Turn west onto State Road 64, for approximately
five miles to 75th Street West. Turn right (north)
onto 75th Street West, and proceed two and five-tenths
miles to the park entrance and the terminus of 75th
Street.
FACILITIES
VISITOR CENTERS
De Soto National Memorial Visitor Center
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Phone
941-792-0458
Location
Terminus of 75th Street West in Bradenton, Florida.
Closures
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day
Special Programs
In our Visitor Center Theater we show the twenty
one minute film entitled, "Hernando De Soto
in America", which is shown throughout the
day. This film depicts the four year, 4000 mile
journey of Soto and his men, throughout what is
now the southeastern United States. Other educational
films are available to groups with prior arrangement.
Contact the park for futher information.
Exhibits
The visitor center offers museum exhibits that relate
the story of the expedition and its impact upon
Native Americans and Florida. Included are 16th
century artifacts such as armor, weapons, examples
of indian pottery, and projectile points. Detailed
maps trace the route of the expedition, highlighting
significant incidents and features. An outdoor exhibit
on the north porch shows probable archaeological
sites associated with the four year trek.
Available Facilities
Bookstore, Restrooms, Payphone, Indoor Water Fountain,
Loaner Wheelchair, Outdoor Water Fountain, and Outdoor
Dog Fountain.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Winter is normally mild with occasional periods of
temperatures in the 30's and 40's. Summer is normally
hot and muggy with both temperature and humidity exceeding
90. Click the "more" link below to be redirected
to a site which features local weather conditions.
ACCESSIBILITY
Park facilities are wheelchair accessible. A standard
wheelchair is available for visitor use on a free
loan basis.
ENTRANCE FEES
Fees - Free!
Details
De Soto National Memorial is free to the public. Donations
are accepted and help support Park Operations.
ACTIVITIES
Interpretive Programs, Nature Walks
Livng History programs are conducted daily from mid-December
through mid-April. Rangers and Volunteers dressed
in period clothing present talks on a variety of historical
topics related to De Soto's Expedition & demonstrate
weapons/crafts. There is a ten table picnic area next
to the parking lot. Large Groups & Schools should
call ahead.
The Nature Trail winds along the shoreline and through
several Florida ecosystems; including a mangrove forest
like the one de Soto's men would have encountered
when they landed. Click on the "Nature Walks"
link on the left to download a trail map and guide.
Bicycling is not allowed. Dogs are permitted with
a hand held leash.
nps.gov
