Egmont Channel Range Rear Lighthouse

Significant events: Destroyed by Hurricane Irma (2017)

Structure: The Egmont Channel Range Rear guides vessels into Tampa Bay, positioned roughly 200 meters off the inviting shores of Fort DeSoto County Park. This vital navigational aid marks the main approach for ships navigating the bustling waters of the Gulf of Mexico towards one of Florida's busiest ports. The current light, which became active around 2021, replaced an earlier structure that met a dramatic end. Originally, a prominent 36-meter square cylindrical skeletal tower stood here, providing its guiding light for years. However, the powerful forces of Hurricane Irma in September 2017 proved too much, utterly destroying the original tower and leaving only its supporting platform behind. Today, the new light continues its crucial work, visible from the popular Fort DeSoto beaches, offering a glimpse into the maritime world. While the tower itself remains closed to the public, the surrounding park site is open, allowing visitors to appreciate its role in safeguarding maritime traffic.