Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Memorial Trail
| | De Soto National Memorial | |
Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 11, 2026
1. Memorial Trail Marker
Shaw's Point has witnessed thousands of years of human history. For most of that span, Indigenous communities thrived here. More recent uses include commercial fishing, a trading post, a refuge for escaped slaves, and this national memorial.
The point is also a natural place: a lush coastal forest that's home to hundreds of species. Watch for gopher tortoises in the uplands and fiddler crabs among the mangroves. Look for bald eagles soaring over the Manatee River, and dolphins swimming past the point.
Along the trail look for interpretive waysides. Some are marked with the imperial flag of Spain--these give highlights of the De Soto expedition and its aftermath. Others reveal stories of nature, culture, and history here at Shaw's Point.
De Soto National Memorial Trails
Length: 0.75 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent: 0 feet
Accessibility: All trails are accessible for wheelchairs and ECVs
Typical grade is 0%
Maximum grade is 0%
Typical cross slope is 0%
Maximum cross
this page online
Typical tread width is 5 feet
Minimum tread width is 3 feet
Terrain is natural earth with crushed shells
Know Before You Go
- The park is open until sunset, however, public parking ends and the entrance gate is locked at 5:00 p.m. Cars remaining in the lot after 5:00 p.m. will be locked in.
Trespassers will be prosecuted - Pets must be secured on a fixed 6 ft. leash. Please clean up and use mitts provided.
- Bicycles, E-bikes, and E-scooters are not allowed on any trail.
- No horses on trails.
- Please place trash in the trash cans.
- Drones are not permitted. Violators face legal action and fines. Report drone use to the nearest park ranger.
- No camping.
- No fires or fireworks.
- Alcohol is prohibited in the park.
- No metal detectors.
- Mooring, anchoring, or beaching of watercraft in the park is prohibited.
- For your safety please be careful while wading. Sharp shells and barnacles can cut your feet, rays can sting you, and strong currents in the river can catch you unaware.
- Be alert for cacti, fire ants, and poison ivy along the trail. Please stay on the developed trails.
- Be mindful of the weather; dangerous thunder and lightning storms can develop rapidly.
Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 11, 20262. Memorial Trail Marker - wide view - Due to the sensitive nature of our shoreline, collecting of any kind is prohibited. Driftwood is a very important part of the park's Coastal Management and Shoreline Protection.
Erected 2025 by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 27° 31.451′ N, 82° 38.632′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. It can be reached from 75th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8300 75th St NW, Bradenton FL 34209, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast and on Tampa Bay. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Landfall (a few steps from this marker); De Soto's Expedition (a few steps from this marker); Arrival (within shouting distance of this marker); A Stroke of Luck (within shouting distance of this marker); Hernando de Soto (within shouting distance of this marker); La Florida's Early Peoples (within shouting distance of this marker); Marking the Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Struggle and Resistance (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bradenton.
sectionhead>Another marker is no longer nearby. De Soto Trail Monument (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.
