Bay Pines National Cemetery

Bay Pines National Cemetery is a military cemetery spanning roughly 27 acres in Pinellas County, Florida, with 42 symmetrical sections for veteran and family burials. The grounds are organized and accessible, allowing visitors to move through different areas and locate specific grave sites.

The cemetery opened on March 15, 1933, to serve military personnel from Bay Pines hospital, receiving its first burial on April 25 of that year. These early decades saw it grow into an important burial ground for local veterans and their families.

The pink Etowah marble monument at the entrance has honored the deceased since 1937, while a granite World War I memorial bench sits nearby. These monuments create a place where visitors reflect on the service and sacrifice of those laid to rest.

The office is staffed Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, while the grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Plan your visit on a weekday if you need help locating specific graves or have questions about the cemetery.

In 1984, the grounds underwent major redesign with hedges removed between sections to create additional burial space after reaching full capacity in 1964. This adaptation reflected how the site continued to serve growing numbers of veterans and families through strategic expansion.