Dry Tortugas National Park ⓘ

Fort Jefferson National Monument was designated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt under the Antiquities Act on January 4, 1935. (Comprising 47,125 acres (19,071 ha) The monument was expanded in 1983 and re-designated as Dry Tortugas National Park on October 26, 1992 by an act of Congress. Dry Tortugas was established to protect the island and marine ecosystems of the Dry Tortugas, to preserve Fort Jefferson and submerged cultural resources such as shipwrecks, and to allow for public access in a regulated manner.

The rich cultural heritage of the Dry Tortugas all begins with its location 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. The seven keys (Garden, Loggerhead, Bush, Long, East, Hospital, and Middle) collectively known as the Dry Tortugas, are situated on the edge of the main shipping channel between the Gulf of America, the western Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. The strategic location of the Dry Tortugas brought a large number of vessels through its surrounding waters as they connect the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of America. Early on, the shipping channel was used among Spanish explorers and merchants traveling along the Gulf Coast.

Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the United States, was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the nation's gateway to the Gulf of America. Supply and subsidence problems and the Civil War delayed construction. The fort was never completed because of fears that additional bricks and cannon would cause further settling and place more stress on the structure and the cistern system. Distinguishing features include decorative brickwork and 2,000 arches. Time, weather, and water continue to take their toll, necessitating ongoing stabilization and restoration projects.

A large military fortress, Fort Jefferson, was constructed in the mid-19 th century as an effort for the United States to protect the extremely lucrative shipping channel. Low and flat, these islands and reefs pose a serious navigation hazard to ships passing through the 75-mile-wide straits between the gulf and the ocean. Consequently, these high risk reefs have created a natural “ship trap” and have been the site of hundreds of shipwrecks. A lighthouse was constructed at Garden Key in 1825 to warn incoming vessels of the dangerous reefs and later, a bricktower lighthouse was constructed on Loggerhead Key in 1858 for the same purpose. Discover and explore the rich heritage of Dry Tortugas National Park on the history and culture pages.

Dry Tortugas National Park lies at the farthest end of the Florida Keys, closer to Cuba than to the American mainland. To reach this remote ocean wilderness one must travel by boat or plane over nearly 70 miles of open sea. The park is home to historical and natural wonders above and below the water's surface and has long been an inspiration to visitors.

Corals, reef fish, birds, and sea turtles make Dry Tortugas a vibrant, one-of-a-kind haven for snorkelers and wildlife lovers.

Dry Tortugas’ islands host native Caribbean flora, while larger keys like Garden and Loggerhead hold more exotic species due to past use.

Formed from marine remnants, Dry Tortugas’ shifting sandy keys mark the far end of the Florida Keys, shaped by nature and humans alike.

The 46-sq-mile Research Natural Area protects Dry Tortugas’ marine life, offering a no-take zone for wildlife, snorkelers, and researchers.

Research Natural Area 5-Year Report This newly released report summarizes the implementation of the science plan developed five years ago to assess the efficacy of the Research Natural Area of Dry Tortugas National Park.

Although the bird list for Dry Tortugas National Park currently contains 299 species, the area provides long-term habitat for few birds. Fewer than 40 species are typically present in winter, and only 7 species nest in the area regularly. Most species are transients or strays, present only briefly during spring and fall migrations.

Northbound migrants arrive as early as mid-February. Spring migration increases substantially during March and peaks during April through mid-May, with more than 200 species passing through the area. The largest concentrations are typically observed during the worst weather conditions, when high winds, rain, and cold temperatures ground the greatest number and diversity of migrants.

Summer is known for brown noddies, a few black noddies, magnificent frigatebirds, and the masses of sooty terns that nest along the beaches of Bush Key from late January through early July. Although Bush Key is closed seasonally to visitors, birders with binoculars or spotting scopes can watch the nesting activity from Fort Jefferson on nearby Garden Key.

Fall migration is more prolonged than spring migration and is not as obviously influenced by weather . Large flights of raptors are common during September and October. Southbound migration trickles off and ceases by about late November.

A scant assortment of waterbirds, most notably gulls and terns, winter in the area. Landbirds are limited to a few American kestrels and belted kingfishers, an occasional gray catbird, yellow-rumped and palm warblers, and Savannah sparrows.

Loggerhead Key is open year-round during daylight hours. When making plans to visit the park, keep in mind that Bush Key is closed to visitors seasonally to protect nesting sooty and noddy terns and to help with vegetation recovery after hurricane season. Middle and East keys are also closed seasonally. Hospital, Middle, and Long keys are closed all year. To avoid disappointment, please check the park's Operating Hours and Seasons webpage when planning your trip to the park.

Learn about the difference between sound and noise on the Dry Tortugas Soundscape / Noise webpage.

The variety of vegetation that flourishes at Dry Tortugas National Park is influenced by the area's unique combination of subtropical climate, extreme weather events, harsh maritime environment (sun, sand, and salt), and history. Both native and nonnative plant species compete for the same basic resources: space, sunlight, water, and nutrients. Tides, currents, and migrating wildlife are sources of seeds from distant lands, and humans have cultivated an assortment of plants throughout history . Of the 125 plant species reported in Dry Tortugas National Park, 81 species (65% of the total) are of exotic origin; the result of accidental and deliberate introduction by man during the past century. The smaller islands consist mainly of native species, while the larger islands (Garden and Loggerhead keys ), with their long history of human habitation and disturbance, have a substantially larger abundance of exotic species.

The rich cultural heritage of the park is reflected in the wide variety of cultivated plant species that have fallen in and out of favor over time by past residents. Vegetation in national parks is generally managed to allow native plant species to occur naturally. Although invasions of nonnative plants are controlled by park managers within time and budgetary constraints, certain nonnative, but noninvasive, species with historical value are permitted to remain.

A tour of Fort Jefferson immerses visitors within the vegetation of Garden Key, on which the fort is built. But Garden Key's story is just one small part of the park's vegetation history. Visitors to Loggerhead Key are treated a close-up view of the successful results of a recent vegetation management program to remove invasive exotic vegetation that had been interfering with the ecology of the island. And don't be fooled into thinking that vegetation grows only on the islands, above the surface of the water. The vast majority of the park's 101 square miles (262 square kilometers) are submerged under the surface of the sea. Accessible by snorkeling and diving, marine plants such as seagrasses make up the majority of the vegetation in Dry Tortugas National Park.

Dry Tortugas National Park is home to many historical and natural wonders above and below the water's surface. Teeming with life, this area has long been an inspiration to visitors, researchers, and adventurers.

The park's coral reef and sea grass communities are among the most vibrant in the Florida Keys, providing habitat for myriad species of marine wildlife. The Sooty Tern finds its only regular nesting site in the entire United States on Bush Key, adjacent to Fort Jefferson. Large sea turtles lumber onto the park's protected beaches to bury their clutches of eggs. Patient visitors who are willing to get wet and go snorkeling will glimpse many species of reef fishes and other marine life beneath the surface of the water.

Visit the links below to learn about some of the wildlife that inhabits the keys and waters of Dry Tortugas National Park.

Learn which species in Dry Tortugas National Park are federally listed Threatened and Endangered Species.

About 300 species of birds, most of them transients or strays, populate the bird list for Dry Tortugas National Park.

Dry Tortugas National Park is home to about 30 species of coral, including elkhorn and staghorn coral, both of which are listed as federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Considered the "couch potato" of the shark world, nurse sharks are laid back, easy-going sharks that prefer to swim awhile and then rest awhile.

The colorful reef fishes that lure snorkelers and divers to Dry Tortugas National Park are as vivid as the coral reefs they inhabit.

The sandy keys of Dry Tortugas National Park are in a state of constant change, subject to the influences of a full suite of environmental processes. Geology, tides and currents, water and air quality, weather, and climate are but a few of the many natural factors that help shape the development of land and waterscapes in the Dry Tortugas. The actions of humans also have had, and still have, a strong influence. Construction of Fort Jefferson and the structures on Loggerhead Key, the disturbance of natural processes, climate change, the introduction of nonnative species, and air, water, light, and noise pollution have all worked to undermine the integrity of the natural ecosystem.

The seven islands of Dry Tortugas National Park are just a tiny fraction of the park's geologic resources, most of which are submerged beneath the surrounding waters.

Dry Tortugas National Park is dedicated to protecting and sharing its nighttime skies for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

Management of invasive exotic plant and animal species became a priority in 1992 when Dry Tortugas National Park was established.

In national parks, the symphony of sounds is treated as a natural resource that is accorded the same level of protection as any other resource.

The characteristic four seasons of the continental United States give way in the Dry Tortugas to only two seasons: wet summers and dry winters.

Important Transportation Notice Camping transportation is limited to private vessel, permitted tour guides, or commercial ferry. Reservations on the Yankee Freedom ferry are limited and sell out months in advance. Once you arrive at Garden Key, camping is first come, first served for all regular sites (up to 6 people). All camping fees are paid on Garden Key and all LARGE groups of 10-20 require an advance reservation with the Park. Plan Your Garden Key Camping Experience Camping at Garden Key is an incredible experience with amazing star gazing, snorkeling, sunsets, and more! But you must be prepared to camp in this remote location. To assist you in your planning, be sure to review the information on this page to learn more about camping at Dry Tortugas National Park.

Transportation: Plan Ahead! Transportation for campers is limited to private vessels, daily commercial ferry , and permitted tour guides . The seaplane does not offer transport for campers. Ferry Transportation

Large Group Campsite Reservations A group site is available for 10-20 people and must be reserved in advance The group site contains: Two grills Two picnic tables A space large enough for 12-15 tents. Please e-mail us for inquiries about the Garden Key Group Campsite. For a LARGE Group Campsite Reservation Application, click here. All applications should be emailed to the email address at the bottom of the form. Large Groups of 10 or more arriving without a reservation will not receive exclusive use of the group site.

The ferry can bring campers and their gear to the Dry Tortugas. You should check with the ferry operator for details on what they will transport by calling them at 1-800-634-0939. Once you arrive, there are wheeled carts at the dock to assist in moving your camping gear to the campground.

Private vessels should check in with a ranger upon arrival at Garden Key for camping information and vessel anchoring areas. Overnight anchoring is allowed in the area of sand and rubble bottom within 1 nautical mile of the Fort Jefferson harbor light and must not block any designated channel.

Campsites at Dry Tortugas are available only on Garden Key, where Fort Jefferson resides. Careful planning is essential to enjoy your visit to Dry Tortugas National Park. A primitive campground is located on Garden Key and is a short walk from the public dock.

Campers must bring all supplies, including a tent, fresh water, fuel, ice, and food. All trash and garbage must be carried out upon departure. Gas camping stoves or charcoal briquettes placed in campsite BBQ units are the only fires allowed. ( IMPORTANT : If you are planning on arriving with the ferry , compressed gas canisters are not allowed onboard. Plan on bringing charcoal for grilling.) Campsites include:

Toilets: Composting toilets are located in the campground. The composting toilets are closed from approximately 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During these hours, please use the facilities aboard the commercial ferry boats at the dock.

Showers: There are no public showers in Dry Tortugas. When the ferry is docked at Garden Key, visitors are welcome to use their fresh water rinse (no soap allowed).

Electricity / Internet / Cell Service : There are no public wifi, cellular service, or electric hook-ups. Plan to bring battery-powered appliances as needed.

Campsite fees are not included in transportation fees (such as the ferry or permitted guides).

Camping fees are paid through Recreation.gov Scan & Pay using the Recreation.gov mobile app. Please download the app and prepare your account before arriving, as wifi is limited to the boathouse. Learn more about Recreation.gov Scan & Pay