How to visit Dry Tortugas National Park

Today we are sharing a guide on how to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. Did you know that Florida has eleven National Parks? It’s true, and Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most unique.

The other National Parks in Florida include:

• Big Cypress National Preserve
• Biscayne National Park
• Canaveral National Seashore
• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
• De Soto National Memorial
• Everglades National Park
• Fort Caroline National Memorial
• Fort Matanzas
• Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
• and, of course, Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is a unique park within the National Parks Service. Its remote location is only accessible by ferry service, seaplane, or your own boat. As a result, it is one of the least visited parks in North America.

It’s a great place to visit with some of the best snorkeling in the United States. Dry Tortugas is one of the most remote National Parks, with fewer guests than most. If you find yourself in the Keys, the crystal clear water, white sand beaches, and loggerhead turtles make it a must-see.

It’s also a great spot for history buffs who would like to visit historic Fort Jefferson. Fort Jefferson is the largest masonry structure in the United States and was formerly used as a prion. Prisoners include Dr. Samuel Mudd, a doctor who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth.

A guide to Dry Tortugas National Park

Let’s get to this guide on how to visit Dry Tortugas National Park, including Dry Tortugas FAQ. A Dry Tortugas Day Trip is a must if you’re visiting Key West.

Where is Dry Tortugas National Park Located?

The first question in this guide to how to visit Dry Tortugas National Park is just where is it?! Dry Tortugas are located near the Florida Keys.

It is the last group of islands in the Keys, approximately 70 miles west of Key West. The 100-square-mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands.

When Was Dry Tortugas National Park Founded?

This national park was founded on October 26, 1992. This park, as well as the Everglades, form the UNESCO Everglades and Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve. If you’ve visited Everglades National Park, you know the two parks could not be more different.

Dry Tortugas National Park has a discovery center, a historic seaport, and a bookstore.

What is the history of Dry Tortugas National Park?

Fort Jefferson was built in the mid-1800s to protect the United States gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. It was created to protect a lucrative shipping channel. Although it is massive, it was technically never finished. The occasionally rough seas (mixed with shallow waters and coral reefs) were also home to many shipwrecks.

Lighthouses were constructed on Garden Key in 1825 and Loggerhead Key in 1858 to warn ships of the reefs and shallow waters.

If you love lighthouses and want to learn more about them, check out The Ultimate List of Florida Lighthouses.

Fortunately, the fort was never attacked. However, during the Civil War, the fort was also used as a military prison, primarily for Union deserters. As mentioned earlier, the most famous prisoner – Dr. Samuel Mudd – was the physician who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth.

Fort Jefferson National Monument was designated as a National Monument by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935.

How Large is Dry Tortugas National Park?

This national park is about 100 square miles or 65,000 acres mostly comprised of water.

The seven islands that make up the park include:

• Garden Key
• Loggerhead Key
• Bush Key
• Long Key
• Hospital Key
• Middle Key
• East Key

The only three islands open to the public are Garden Key, Bush Key, and Loggerhead Key. Bush Key is only open for a few months each year. The rest of the islands contain bird nesting sites, and no one is allowed in these areas of the park.

When is the Best Time to Visit Dry Tortugas National Park?

May through November is hurricane season, so be prepared to the possibility of storms if you visit during this time.

Windy conditions are possible from November through April. The wind can create large swells in the water and as a result, it can be impossible to enter the water for swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking.

We recommend visiting between October and January for the best weather, and Bush Key is open during this time.

How to visit Dry Tortugas National Park

Unfortunately, you cannot drive to Dry Tortugas National Park, as the road ends at Key West. The only way to reach it is to take a ferry ride or seaplane; both leave from Key West.

You’ll need a boating permit if you have a private boat, but we won’t go into that in detail today. However, if that is your situation, check out the National Park Service FAQ to learn more.

It is best to book your passage well in advance as the seats fill up quickly each day. The Dry Tortugas Ferry is the most popular way to visit the remote island chain.

Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park

The only ferry authorized to enter the water in Dry Tortugas National Park is the Yankee Freedom. The Yankee Freedom ferry (The Yankee Freedom III) leaves Key West at 8 am. It then makes the two-and-a-half-hour ride to the dock at Garden Key.

The ferry costs $200 for adults and $145 for kids through 16. The price includes the ride to the park, breakfast snack, a park access ticket, a box lunch, and a tour of the fort. You can also access snorkeling gear if you want it, although we recommend bringing your own. The ferry leaves to return to Key West at 5:30 pm.

If you want a quicker journey to the park, you can hop on a plane by Seaplane Adventures. They are the only seaplane service to the park. Although more expensive, a seaplane is the fastest way and a unique experience as you fly low over the blue water.

The plane ride takes approximately 40 minutes each way. Seaplane Adventures offers half-day and full-day options.

A half-day excursion costs $371 for adults and $297 for children 12 and under. This includes two and a half hours on the island. Full-day excursions are $644 for adults and $515 for kids 12 and under. This includes six and a half hours on the island.

These fees do not include the entrance to the national park. The entrance fee for the park is $15 for everyone aged 16 and over.

Things to Do at Dry Tortugas National Park

Let’s get into everything you can do while visiting Dry Tortugas National Park, listed in no particular order.

Explore Fort Jefferson

Most people travel to Dry Tortugas to visit Fort Jefferson, one of the largest coastal forts. This historic fort is located on Garden Key (the largest island.)

If you do a self-guided or guided tour of Fort Jefferson. Most guided tours last between 45 and 60 minutes.

 

Fun fact: 16 million bricks were used to construct this fort. 

Make sure you take the time to walk along the trail along the top of the fort before you leave. The views from there are incredible! There are no rails along the top. So stay away from the sides and keep young kids close to you to avoid an accident.

Become a Junior Ranger

Kids can work with Park Rangers and become Junior Rangers through the Junior Ranger Program. This is one of the best things to do at Dry Tortugas National Park for kids.

Wander Around Bush Key

You are in luck if you plan your visit to Dry Tortugas National Park for October through January as Bush Key is open during those months.

Go Swimming or Snorkeling

The water in Dry Tortugas is perfect for both swimming and snorkeling.

The best places to go snorkeling include the Moat Wall, the South Coaling Dock Ruins, and the North Coaling Dock Ruins. The shallow waters make it easy to have a great time snorkeling.

If you want to go swimming, South Swim Beach is the place to go. All the beaches in Dry Tortugas are wonderful. In addition, South Swim Beach offers fantastic views of Fort Jefferson with no waves.

Although your ferry ride includes access to snorkeling gear, I recommend bringing your own, if possible. Check out some of our favorite snorkeling gear on Amazon.

Check Out the Wildlife

The islands within Dry Tortugas serve as bird nesting sites. While birds are the only wildlife you will see out of the water, up to 300 different species of migratory birds may be present during your visit!

If you love bird watching, check out our post: The Ultimate List of Florida Birds.

Visit Loggerhead Key

You must take a boat to reach Loggerhead Key, which is three miles from Garden Key. There are no ferries or private charters, so you must arrange your own transportation.

You can kayak to the island. However, you must have your own kayak. A permit is also needed for Loggerhead Key before departing from Garden Key.

Go Camping

If one day in Dry Tortugas National Park is not enough, you can always camp there!

There are eight campsites on Garden Key. All the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis so you will need to make your camping reservation well in advance.

Each campsite has a picnic table and grills. In addition, there is an overflow area for extra campers. Everyone must share the picnic tables and grills in that area.

Tips for Visiting Dry Tortugas

There is no cell phone service or access to the internet at Dry Tortugas. Keep that in mind as you are planning your visit. Is that really a bad thing?! I don’t think so.

You won’t find a store or a vending machine on the islands. You will need to bring food and snacks with you for your time in Dry Tortugas. So pack enough food and snacks for your day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park.

Another pro tip: it is best to be prepared with extra clothing. The weather in Dry Tortugas can change quickly. What starts as a warm, sunny day can easily change to windy, rainy, and cooler. Rain gear and extra layers can be helpful. I recommend bringing an emergency poncho, just in case.

How to visit Dry Tortugas National Park

I hope you enjoyed this guide on how to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. Did it make you want to visit? Let me know in the comments. On the other hand, maybe you love National Parks, and you’re ready to visit one of the least visited National Parks. Either way, we are glad you joined us today.

Should we do another blog post about some of the other National Parks in Florida? Or even the state parks in Florida? Let us know what you think. Did you know that Florida has 175 state parks?!

More things to do in Florida

If you enjoyed this guide on how to visit Dry Tortugas National Park, you might also enjoy the following:

• 30 things to do from Miami to Key West
• The 40 best places to eat in Key West Florida
• 35 Things to Do in Key West with Kids
• The best Gulf Beaches in Florida
• The best place to find sharks teeth in Florida

We also have many posts about Orlando, theme parks, Key West, etc. If it’s about Florida, you can find it here! If you have any special requests for blog posts, let us know in the comments.

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