Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is located on the north and south sides of the mouth of Tampa Bay, Florida. When the original cantilevered Sunshine Skyway Bridge, carrying I-275 (US 19), partially collapsed in 1980, due to the collision of a freighter on one of its pilings, it was replaced by the current bridges. The approaches to the old bridge, however, were left in place and converted into the longest fishing pier in the world.
The most common activity on the pier is fishing. Common catches include snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, red snapper and flounder. Other pier activities include kayaking, swimming, and kite surfing.
Snacks, drinks, bait, and fishing supplies can be purchased on the pier, which has a fee for admission. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Skyway Fishing Pier SP
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/skyway-fishing-pier-state-park
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyway_Fishing_Pier_State_Park
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is located on the north and south sides of the mouth of Tampa Bay, Florida. When the original cantilevered Sunshine Skyway Bridge, carrying I-275 (US 19), partially collapsed in 1980, due to the collision of a freighter on one of its pilings, it was replaced by the current bridges. The approaches to the old bridge, however, were left in place and converted into the longest fishing pier in the world.
The most common activity on the pier is fishing. Common catches include snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, red snapper and flounder. Other pier activities include kayaking, swimming, and kite surfing.
Snacks, drinks, bait, and fishing supplies can be purchased on the pier, which has a fee for admission. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Recreation and Parks
History & Nature
The Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is located
to the north and south of the Sunshine Skyway
Bridge on Interstate 275 (US 19). Built over Tampa
Bay, the bridge connects St. Petersburg in Pinellas
County with Palmetto in Manatee County. The
original Sunshine Skyway Bridge was completed
and opened to the public in 1954. As the area
grew, so did the need for more roads, and in 1969
a similar structure was built parallel to it to make it
a four-lane bridge. During the years from 1954 to
1980, thousands of large ships and boats passed
underneath the bridge without any recorded
damage or loss of life. Then, during a violent
thunderstorm on May 9, 1980, a tragedy occurred.
The freighter Summit Venture collided with one of
the bridge’s western columns, causing 1200 feet
of bridge to collapse and killing 35 people.
In 1987, a new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was
constructed east of the old one and the center
spans of the old bridge were demolished. Rather
than removing all of the bridge it was decided to
use the remaining structures as a public fishing
pier. These were renovated and in 1994 became
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The pier provides
over four miles of fishing platform making it the
world’s longest fishing pier.
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
4905 34th Street South, #5000
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Phone: (727) 865-0668
FloridaStateParks.org
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Park Guidelines
Southwest
Florida
Skyway Fishing Pier
State Park
World’s longest fishing pier
Hours are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
An entrance fee is required. Additional user fees
may apply.
All plants, animals and park property are
protected.
The collection, destruction or disturbance of
plants, animals or park property is prohibited.
Pets are not permitted in this park.
Fireworks and alcoholic beverages are
prohibited.
Castnetting in designated areas only.
Dispose of fishing line properly. It can kill
wildlife.
Do not feed the birds.
A Florida fishing license may be required.
Vehicles weighing over 12 tons are not allowed
on the pier.
Florida’s state parks are committed to providing
equal access to all facilities and programs.
Should you need assistance to enable your
participation, please contact the bait shop.
Alternate format
available upon
request at any
Florida state park.
FLORIDA
State Parks
Created on 11/14
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Florida State Parks - “America’s First Three-Time Winner”
Real Fun in
Welcome to the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park,
where you can enjoy fishing from the longest
fishing pier in the world. View magnificent sunrises
and beautiful sunsets as the piers are open 24
hours a day all year round. Fishing supplies,
snacks, drinks and bait are all available on both
the north and south pier’s bait shops, where you
can also pick up a free copy of the latest fishing
regulations.
The Skyway Fishing Pier was once part of the
old Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The car lanes from
the former bridge still line the pier, so anglers
can drive to a spot that looks good, park and
unload their fishing gear. At night, the pier is lit so
anglers can see to rig a line, bait a hook and get
a good look at their catch. The light also attracts
many species of fish after sundown. Common
catches include snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea
bass, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia,
sheepshead, red snapper and pompano.
The pier is also a fine place to see a variety of
birds including pelicans, herons, seagulls, terns,
and ducks. Please, do not feed or tempt the birds
with fishing bait. Doing so encourages them to
look for and eat fishing bait rather than catching
their own food. Pier managers often have to net
birds that have become hooked and injured by
trying to eat bait from a line. These birds must
then be sent to a bird sanctuary hospital for
medical attention or rehabilitation. Please enjoy
the birds from a distance.
Directions
The Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
is located on the north and south
sides of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
on I-275 (U.S. 19).
Camping and Cabins Guide
Florida State Parks
FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks
Welcome
When the setting sun paints the evening sky, where will you make
your bed? Florida’s state parks offer you a variety of overnight
accommodations.
At a Florida state park, the day’s work is play, a walk on the beach, a hike
through the woods, a swim, a bike ride. All you need is a fishing rod, a
kayak, a book and a friend.
What do you want to see when the sun rises on the new day?
Choose a wooded campsite within walking distance of white sandy
beaches or camp along the banks of a quietly moving river. Bring your
boat or canoe, or fishing tackle and a rod, for a relaxing time with family
and friends.
Explore nature on the hiking trails, while at the same time leaving stress
of the busy world behind. Attend a festival, a reenactment or simply
do nothing.
We are committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for all
visitors at Florida state parks, including campgrounds and cabins.
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Family Camping
Florida’s state parks offer more than 50 campgrounds statewide for tents,
campers and RVs. Most campsites include water, electricity, a grill and
picnic table. Centralized showers, restrooms and a dump station are
also available.
• One responsible person, 18 or older, must be present on each campsite
or cabin.
• Camping fees vary from park to park and include a maximum of eight
people per site, not including children under 6 years old.
• Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 p.m. You are welcome to stay
in the park through the end of the day.
• Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Campsites are limited to two vehicles. Selected campsites may
only allow one vehicle.
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Cabins
From modern to rustic, state park cabins provide overnight accommodations
in a variety of settings—near beaches, rivers and lakes or peaceful wooded
communities. Cabin styles vary from fully equipped modern cabins to
hand-hewn, lumber or palm-log retreats. Cabin amenities may include a
kitchen, fireplace and screened porch, complete with rocking chairs and
porch swings.
• Cabins may be reserved for one night during the week, Monday–Thursday,
or a minimum of two nights on weekends and holidays, Friday and
Saturday, departing Sunday, or Saturday and Sunday, departing Monday.
Some exceptions apply.
• Cabins can accommodate either four or six visitors.
• Check-in time is 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m.
• Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
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• Pets are not permitted in cabins or cabin areas.
• Staff may assess cabin renters a damage fee if necessary to clean-up or
repair any damage beyond ordinary cleaning, wear and tear. Fees may
also be charged for lost/stolen items.
Group, Primitive, Equestrian and Boat
Many parks offer areas for youth and group camping. Backpackers may
wish to hike to secluded areas for primitive camping. More than 15 state
parks offer campsites and other amenities for equestrians and their horses.
Owners of horses visiting state parks must provide proof of a negative
Coggins test. Call the park to discuss availability, facilities, rules and fees.
Five state parks provide boat slips with water and electricity. Boaters
have access to the state park’s restrooms, showers, pump-outs and other
amenities. Boaters can also anchor overnight at Bill Baggs Cape Florida
State Park and at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
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Camping with Pets and Service Animals
Pets are welcome at most Florida State Parks. Some campgrounds have
designated sites for pets. All pets must be confined, leashed or otherwise
under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes may not exceed
six feet in length. Pets must be well behaved. Owners must pick up after
their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles.
Pets are not permitted on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas,
cabins, park buildings or concession facilities. Individual parks may have
specific areas prohibiting pets.
Service animals in a working capacity are allowed in all public areas of state
parks when accompanied by a visitor with a disability.
Service animals should be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless such a
device interferes with the service animal’s work or the visitor’s disability
prevents the use of these devices.
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Reservations
Campsite and cabin reservations may be made from one day to 11 months
in advance by calling (800) 326-3521, (866) I CAMP FL or TDD
(888) 433-0287 or by visiting FloridaStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com.
Call the park directly to reserve group or primitive campsites.
Prices per night:
Campsites $16 to $42
Cabins
$30 to $160
Visitors pay a reservation fee of $6.70
*Prices subject to change.
A 50 percent discount on base campsite fees is available to Florida citizens
who are 65 years old or older, or Florida c