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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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 the winter stormy season from December through March which is windier and sees rougher seas, and the summertime tropical storm…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Florida. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Entrance Fees
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.
Activities
Current Alerts
Visitors may only access the harborside of Bush Key through Fall 2026 to protect nesting Sooty Terns, Brown Noddies, and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Boaters must maintain a distance of 100 feet from the island's mean low tide.
Sections of the moat wall that were damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton (2024) are undergoing repair and reinforcement. For your safety, please follow posted signage and do not cross any barricades.
Be sure to review the Alerts and Conditions below before and during your visit for additional, up-to-date information on closures, cautions, and other current park conditions.
Like elsewhere in the Florida Keys, we have seen an increase in Cuban migrants arriving by boat from Cuba and landing on the islands of Dry Tortugas National Park. You may observe migrant landings at the park and visitor areas may be impacted.
Vessel operators - the Garden Key Harbor Light is undergoing repairs and is extinguished. At this time it is unknown when the light will again be illuminated.
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 DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Viewing Wildlife in Dry Tortugas
Viewing wildlife in Dry Tortugas
Fishing at Dry Tortugas National Park
Fishing at Dry Tortugas
Paddle to Loggerhead Key
Paddle to Loggerhead Key
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…
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.
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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