Complete information about visiting Dry Tortugas National Park is now on National Park Planner!
Dry Tortugas National Park is the most remote National Park in the lower 48 states. It is comprised of seven islands, or “keys,” about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. These keys represent the end of the Florida Key reef system. The park can be reached via a daily ferry or seaplane service run by authorized concessionaires (both leave from Key West), or in your own boat or seaplane.
Of the seven keys in the park, most people only visit Garden Key. This is the island on which the ferry and seaplanes drop off passengers, and it is the only island with tourist amenities and attractions. Here you will find the park’s Visitor Center, Fort Jefferson (which occupies about 85% of the island), a campground and picnic tables, and plenty of places to swim and snorkel. Fishing is also allowed from the island.
The Dry Tortugas area first gained significance after the War of 1812. The British had easily blockaded and captured coastal cities along the east coast, and even burned Washington, D.C., to the ground. After the war, the US government realized that coastal forts were needed to protect the country from invasion, and construction began on dozens of heavily armed masonary forts, many of which are National Park properties today. Fort Jefferson was part of this coastal defense system.
The area became a wildlife refugee in 1908, and in 1935 the Fort Jefferson National Monument was created to preserve the fort and the surrounding refugee. After being expanded, the National Monument became Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992.
DIRECTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on January 16, 2026
