De Soto National Memorial Junior Ranger

De Soto National Memorial, 5 miles (8 km) west of Bradenton, Florida, commemorates the 1539 landing of Hernando de Soto and the first extensive organized exploration by Europeans of what is now the southern United States. 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.

Visitors can obtain the Junior Ranger activity booklet from the Visitor Center between 9-5 daily. To earn a free Junior Ranger Badge, kids have to complete six activites as well as a park map activity. Kids get a free book with a pencil and compass to help them complete the activities. We also have "official" Junior Ranger hats available in our bookstore.