Dry Tortugas National Park

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A few of the stars at night with a view of Fort Jefferson.
The Dry Tortugas is so remote that night sky viewing is possible.
Park visitors enjoy a sunset on the moat wall.
Sunsets at the Dry Tortugas are breathtaking. Visitors who choose to camp over night can view the sun set at Fort Jefferson.
A view inside Fort Jefferson.
Garden Key is the second largest island in the Dry Tortugas, about 14 acres in size, and has had the most human impact. Located on Garden Key is historic Fort Jefferson, one of the nation’s largest 19th century forts and a central cultural feature of Dry
Two divers dive the Windjammer Wreck
The Dry Tortugas has over 300 sunken ships. One of the most accessible is the Winjammer Wreck which can be dove or snorkeled.
A boat passes in front of Loggerhead Key during sunset.
The largest island in the Dry Tortugas, Loggerhead Key is a site of shipwrecks, a significant lighthouse installation, and where the historic Carnegie Laboratory for Marine Ecology once stood. Named for its abundance of loggerhead sea turtles, Loggerhead
A view of Fort Jefferson from the moat all.
ort Jefferson is a massive but unfinished coastal fortress. It is the largest masonry structure in the Americas, and is composed of over 16 million bricks.
An aerial view of the Dry Tortugas
The Dry Tortugas is made up of seven islands.
Photos: National Park Service

About Dry Tortugas National Park

Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area.

Quick Facts

State Florida
Designation National Park
State Code FL
Weather The climate in the Dry Tortugas is subtropical, which basically means that it has warm and tropical weather in the range of 60°F to 90°F. The two main seasons are…

Location & Map

Dry Tortugas National Park is located in Florida.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person $15.00

The entrance fee for Dry Tortugas National Park is $15.00 per person and is good for 7 consecutive days. Any person 15 years old and under is exempt from paying an entrance fees (including international visitors). Ferry tickets include the cost of entrance to the park, but NOT camping fees. Seaplane will charge the entrance fee upon arrival. Plan to bring cash for each person aged 16-years of age and older. Private boaters may purchase a digital pass in advance or pay cash/check at Garden Key main dock.

Operating Hours

The Dry Tortugas is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. This includes holidays.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Astronomy Stargazing Boating Boat Tour Camping Fishing Guided Tours Hands-On Volunteer Vacation Paddling Junior Ranger Program SCUBA Diving Snorkeling Swimming Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote parks in the National Park System. Located approximately 70 miles west of Key West it is accessible only by a daily concession ferry, private boats, charter boats, or seaplane.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 40001 SR-9336, Homestead, FL, 33034
Phone 3052427700
Email drto_information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building African American Heritage Forts Maritime Coastal Defenses Lighthouses Ships and Shipwrecks Military US Army US Navy Wars and Conflicts Civil War Animals Alligators or Crocodiles Birds Fish Tortoises and Turtles Geology Natural Sounds Night Sky Oceans Coral Reefs Unique Species Endangered

Things To Do

Viewing Wildlife in Dry Tortugas

Viewing Wildlife in Dry Tortugas

Viewing wildlife in Dry Tortugas

Fishing at Dry Tortugas National Park

Fishing at Dry Tortugas National Park

Fishing at Dry Tortugas

Paddle to Loggerhead Key

Paddle to Loggerhead Key

Paddle to Loggerhead Key

View incredible underwater worlds while paddling your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. 

Snorkel Little Africa

Snorkel Little Africa

Snorkel Little Africa

Visitor Centers

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

Enter Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center and take a journey into the world of the native plants and animals of the Keys, both on land and…

Hours: Located in NOAA’s Dr. Nancy Foster Florida Keys Environmental Complex on the Truman Annex waterfront in Key West, the Center features more than 6,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, which interpret the resources and management efforts of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, two national parks, and four national wildlife refuges. Admission is always free, so be sure to stop by for a visit.

Garden Key Visitor Center

Garden Key Visitor Center is located inside Fort Jefferson. At the visitor center you will find artifacts, an informational movie, the bookstore, and souvenirs.

Hours: Garden Key is open 7 days a week all year round including holidays.

Campgrounds

Garden Key Campground

Garden Key, home to Fort Jefferson, has a primitive campground only a short walk from public dock and piers. Individual sites can accommodate up to…

8 Sites

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