Everything you should know about Dry Tortugas National Park

Aquamarine waters, a kaleidoscope of corals, undeveloped sandy beaches, and a 19th-century fort beckon visitors to one of the most remote national parks in the United States. Seventy miles (114 km) west of Key West, Florida, a cluster of seven small islands constitutes Dry Tortugas National Park. Only accessible by ferry, seaplane, or private charter, these remote islands offer world-class snorkeling, rare birdwatching, and secluded camping. 

Florida’s Coral Reef, the world’s third-largest, cradles these keys, originally named for their abundant tortugas (turtles) by Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León in 1513. Later, sailors tacked “dry” onto the name to signal a lack of drinkable water. However, 99 percent of this national park is submerged off the coast of Florida, making it a watery wonderland.

Today, this car-inaccessible park welcomes most visitors at Garden Key, home to Fort Jefferson, built to protect one of North America’s most strategic deep-water anchorages. Visitors can walk a sandbar to Bush Key, a nearby uninhabited island, when it is not closed for bird nesting. Parkgoers can visit the other islands, Loggerhead, Hospital, East, Long, and Middle Keys via private charters. Bring anything you might need because the primitive park does not offer running water, food concessions, or supplies. 

Best times to visit Dry Tortugas National Park

Temperatures range from 60–90°F (16–30°C) on land and 74–86°F (23–30°C) in the water. Open year-round, the park can sometimes close when tropical storms halt ferry and seaplane operations, especially in the hot, humid stretch between June and November. 

Summer attracts snorkelers and divers with its milder winds and calmer waters, explains Lead Ranger Curtis Hall, while campers prefer late autumn to spring. Birdwatchers flock to the Dry Tortugas to admire rare migratory birds from late February to April.

Where to find the best views in the park

Expansive seascapes can be savored on the journey to Dry Tortugas National Park, while exploring the island on foot, and underwater. Seaplane passengers can glimpse aerial vistas of turquoise waters, orange and yellow coral mosaics, and ruddy Fort Jefferson all at once. On Garden Key, walk the moat wall, climb to the fort’s ramparts, or peak out of a porthole window to observe sea meeting sky. 

Less than 1 percent of Dry Tortugas National Park is dry land, so the best way to truly experience its bounty is to swim in the clear waters. The shallow coral reefs are teeming with tropical fish like yellowtail snappers, vibrant green and orange parrotfish, and neon blue and yellow queen angelfish. While the coral might look like colorful sponges, be sure not to touch these fragile, living creatures, and wear reef-safe sunscreen. 

Where to find the best hiking trails

The limited land of Dry Tortugas National Park offers some nice strolls, but no substantial hiking trails. Visitors can meander the half-mile (0.8 km) Fort Jefferson Loop Trail for an easy trek around the massive structure. Note: the narrow moat wall does not have railings, so tread carefully and avoid areas closed for renovation. 

You can also explore the shoreline around uninhabited Bush Key via the sandbar bridge when it is open to humans. From February to September, the island is closed to protect rare birds that nest and raise their young here. October through January, enjoy a tranquil, one-mile (1.6 km) circumnavigation. 

The best spots to see wildlife

During the 2.5-hour voyage on the Yankee Freedom ferry or 40-minute seaplane flight, passengers may catch a glimpse of dolphins, flying fish, and gentle nurse sharks. It’s easiest to spot the once-thriving sea turtles—now threatened and endangered—during spring and summer when they nest in the white-sugar sand. 

On Garden Key, snorkel along the moat wall, one of the most accessible and fish-rich snorkeling areas in the park, recommends Hall. Common species seen swimming in the transparent waters include beaked parrotfish, triangular angelfish, and striped sergeant majors. 

Bush Key hosts the nation’s only major breeding colonies of sooty terns and brown noddies, seabirds known for their raucous calls and bowing courtship rituals. Magnificent frigatebirds, famous for the males’ inflatable red throat pouches, glide over the keys year-round.  

Expert recommendations and tips

Hall suggests enjoying the park’s solitude: “There are no roads or vehicles, just ocean, sky, and history.” He recommends walking the shoreline and taking a free guided tour of Fort Jefferson, which includes stories about its most famous prisoner, Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was incarcerated for conspiracy.  

Piper Smith, vice president of marketing for Historic Tours of America, explains that Mudd was a Maryland physician who treated John Wilkes Booth’s broken leg after President Lincoln’s assassination. “Though he maintained his innocence, Mudd eventually earned respect at the fort when a deadly yellow fever outbreak struck in 1867,” she says. “He worked tirelessly to treat sick soldiers and prisoners, helping to save many lives. His actions softened attitudes toward him, and he was later pardoned by President Andrew Johnson, leaving Fort Jefferson with a reputation transformed from traitor to reluctant hero.”

Outside the fort’s thick brick walls, Dry Tortugas is a place of passage. “Spring and fall bring a high diversity of migratory birds in search of a rest,” says Hall. “Dry Tortugas is internationally known for birdwatching with several species nesting nowhere else in the continental United States.” 

Things to do in Dry Tortugas National Park

Take a self-guided tour of Fort Jefferson or join ferry staff for twice-daily 45-minute tours. Home to some of the most vibrant coral reefs in the United States, snorkeling is easy and accessible at Dry Tortugas. Near the moat wall, you’ll find colorful coral, tropical fish, starfish, and queen conch approximately 5 to 15 feet below the water’s surface. Visit North and South Beaches for serene swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. 

Divers gravitate to Loggerhead Key to see the 1907 Windjammer shipwreck, remarkably well-preserved thanks to its slow-corroding iron hull.  

Best things to do for families

Explore wild nature and uncover stories of the nation’s past. Kids can earn Junior Ranger Badges by learning about coastal habitats, sea turtles, seabirds, and Fort Jefferson. Then dip into the shallow waters teeming with tropical fish. Pop on snorkel gear and peek into a thriving marine ecosystem.

Where to stay

Camping at the national park
Revel in 360-degree sunsets when you tent camp at Dry Tortugas, the only way to stay at this remote national park. Make camping reservations with the ferry months in advance. Individual campsites are first-come first-served, but groups of 10 to 20 people can reserve a larger space beforehand. 

Given the location, 70 miles from civilization, camping on Garden Key is extremely primitive. Campers need to bring everything with them, including water, food, ice, charcoal, and hand wipes. The campground does not sell supplies. Campers are responsible for removing all their trash and are rewarded with an untouched natural paradise almost to themselves. 

Lodging in Key West
Visitors often overnight in quirky Key West, known for its key lime pie, lively Duval Street and Mallory Square, and as the beloved home of Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway. Stay in the Old Town, close to where the ferry departs early in the morning. Opal Key Resort & Marina is an excellent choice for its prime location, waterfront restaurants, and sunset views. Choose Ridley House for historic homes with a B&B chef breakfast experience that guests rave about.  

What else you should know

Fees: Entry fees run $15 per person over age 16, cost included in ferry and seaplane tickets. 

Access: The Yankee Freedom ferry ride is approximately 2.5 hours each way, includes a breakfast and lunch buffet, and allows day-trippers about 4.5 hours to roam the park. Indoor air-conditioned seating, outdoor sundecks, three restrooms, and a return trip cocktail bar make for a comfortable ride, but bring anti-nausea medication if you’re prone to seasickness. The ferry caps each trip at 175 passengers, so book your tickets in advance. 

Half-day or full-day visits with Key West Seaplane Adventures are more expensive than ferry tickets, but allow for less time in transit and incredible overhead views. Previous seaplane passengers say it’s well worth the splurge for this bucket list-worthy experience.

Are pets allowed: Garden Key welcomes leashed pets outside of Fort Jefferson. However, the ferry and seaplanes do not allow pets on board, unless they are service dogs. Therefore, the only way most pets can visit Dry Tortugas is via a private boat or a permitted tour.  

How accessible is Dry Tortugas National Park? 

The ferry features wheelchair-accessible ramps and restrooms; however, parts of the park, such as the upper floors of the fort and the sandy beaches, may be inaccessible to those with mobility challenges.  

“The park features hard-packed paths, though the ground is uneven and does not include paved sidewalks,” says Smith. “The 1850’s fort was constructed with narrow, winding stairwells with no railings or guardrails.” Follow the safety instructions from park rangers and staff and call ahead to arrange special access needs.