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A few of the stars at night with a view of Fort Jefferson.
FL

Dry Tortugas National Park

Entrance Fee

$15.00

/ Entrance - Per Person

Park Hours (Today)

All Day

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center: 9:00AM - 4:00PM

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About the 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.

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What to See & Do

A small crab in a pretty white shell crawls on a white sandy beach.
Wildlife Watching

Viewing Wildlife in Dry Tortugas

Viewing wildlife in Dry Tortugas

In Park
A female angler fights a fish in a small boat atop of crystal clear blue waters.
Fishing

Fishing at Dry Tortugas National Park

Fishing at Dry Tortugas

In Park
Kayakers
Paddling

Paddle to Loggerhead Key

Paddle to Loggerhead Key

West Garden Key Dinghy Beach
Snorkel Little Africa
Snorkeling

Snorkel Little Africa

Snorkel Little Africa

Little Africa Patch Reef

Visitor Centers

Visitors stand around a tabletop display. Model Mangrove plants and crabs in the backgorund

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 underwater. Leave with an increased awareness and appreciation of the need to protect and conserve ecosystems of South Florida. The Center features over 6,000 square feet of interactive and dynamic exhibits including a mock-up of Aquarius, the world's only underwater ocean laboratory.

9:00AM - 4:00PM 3058094750
A preserved black cannon  sits in a brown wooden frame in front of a white brick wall

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.

8:30AM - 4:30PM 3052427700

Where to Stay

Tents and supplies set up on the campground.

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 three 2-person tents (6 persons max per-site) on a first-come, first served basis. In the event a regular campsite is unavailable, an overflow area will be made available. Upon arrival all overnight visitors will be provided a place to camp. For parties of 10 or more, a group campsite is available through our website.

🏕 8 sites🚽 Toilets

Getting Here & Transit

How to Get Here

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.

Park Amenities

Accessible Rooms
Accessible Sites
Amphitheater
Animal-Safe Food Storage
Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection
Baby Changing Station
Beach/Water Access
Benches/Seating
Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch
Captioned Media
Dock/Pier
Ferry - Passenger
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit Available
First Aid/Medical Care Available

Permits & Reservations

Permits may be required

Some activities in Dry Tortugas National Park — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Standard 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

Dry Tortugas

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

  • MondayAll Day
  • TuesdayAll Day
  • WednesdayAll Day
  • ThursdayAll Day
  • FridayAll Day
  • SaturdayAll Day
  • SundayAll Day

When to Go

Crowd Calendar

Plan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.

Jan

Moderate

Feb

Moderate

Mar

Moderate

Apr

High

May

Low

Jun

Low

Jul

Moderate

Aug

Moderate

Sep

High

Oct

High

Nov

Low

Dec

Low
Low Crowds
Moderate Crowds
High Crowds

Location

40001 SR-9336
Homestead, FL 33034

Around This Park

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Common Questions

Planning Dry Tortugas

These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.

Reservation policies vary heavily by season. During peak summer months, many popular national parks require timed-entry permits or vehicle reservations just to enter the park, or specific permits for popular hikes (like Half Dome or Angels Landing). Always check the official NPS alerts and recreation.gov before setting your dates.