Camp Uzita at De Soto National Memorial

Camp Uzita (or Uçita) at De Soto National Memorial is a reconstruction of a Uzita Indian village that Hernando de Soto and his expeditionary force occupied when they first landed in the Tampa Bay area in May 1539. The Uzita had abandoned the village and the Spanish used it as their base camp. When De Soto departed in July to begin his journey into the interior of Florida, he left behind 100 men to guard the supplies. The camp was eventually abandoned in October when De Soto made his winter camp in Anhayca (near modern day Tallahassee) and ordered the men to join him. From that time on the entire group traveled together.

Camp Uzita at De Soto National Memorial

The camp now hosts 30-minute Living History demonstrations that are held Thursdays through Sundays at 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 2 PM starting in December and running through mid-April. During the summer the weather gets too hot for outdoor activities on a daily basis. Park Rangers and volunteers dressed in period costume demonstrate such things as blacksmithing, native crafts and cooking techniques, and how to use the weapons of the 16th century. Different topics are covered at each demonstration. At other times you can walk around the village and talk with the Rangers and volunteers and even try on authentic Spanish armor. Keep in mind that times can always change, so before making travel plans be sure to visit the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the De Soto National Memorial to get the latest schedule.

Living History talk and demonstration at Camp Uzita, De Soto National Memorial

Visitors can try on authentic armor at Camp Uzita, De Soto National Memorial

When I visited, I was the only person who showed up for a scheduled program, so I ended up talking one-on-one with the man giving the demonstration. I have no idea what he would have been talking about otherwise. Oddly enough, I had just come from a showing of the park movie at the Visitor Center where there must have been a dozen people in attendance, so it’s not like the park was empty. There were even a few people at the camp who walked around and left just before the scheduled program. Taking in one of the demonstrations seems to me to be the main reason for a visit to the park, so I don’t know why there was such a lack of interest. The program schedule is announced, and the Visitor Center and Camp Uzita are fairly close to each other.

Just outside the village is a replica of a typical Indian hut. Inside are a few graphics and an audio presentation that you can begin at any time by pressing the Play button.

Uzita Indian hut at De Soto National Memorial

Inside the Uzita Indian hut at De Soto National Memorial

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