Dry Tortugas National Park — Visitor Info

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Dry Tortugas National Park sits about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida — a cluster of small islands built around massive 19th-century Fort Jefferson, surrounded by clear water and coral reef. There are no roads, no bridges, and no regular flights that allow camping gear; nearly everyone arrives by ferry or private boat.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: The Yankee Freedom ferry is the only scheduled transportation and is limited to 10 camping passengers per day — book months ahead, especially in winter. Once on Garden Key, there are no rentals, supplies, or stores; bring everything you need. Always check the official Dry Tortugas Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
70 miles west of Key West, Florida
Entrance Fee
$15/person (7 days, under 16 free)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No (but ferry/seaplane transport must be booked)
Permit Needed For
Large group camping (10+); Florida saltwater fishing license
Lodging
Primitive camping on Garden Key only — no lodges
Managed By
National Park Service

Getting There

There is no bridge or public road to Dry Tortugas. Most visitors take the Yankee Freedom ferry from Key West (a roughly 2.5-hour crossing each way), which includes the entrance fee, breakfast/lunch, and use of snorkel gear for day-trippers. A seaplane option exists for day visits but does not carry campers or camping gear due to weight limits. Private boaters can also make the crossing, with overnight anchoring allowed only within 1 nautical mile of the Fort Jefferson harbor light.

Visitor Centers

Fort Jefferson Visitor Center (Garden Key)
Inside the historic fort itself — the park's only visitor center, reachable only by boat or seaplane.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours & visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $15 per person (16 and older; under 16 free), valid 7 days. Ferry tickets already include this fee for most visitors; if arriving by private vessel, pay at the fort's self-service fee station. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

Permits & Reservations

No permit is needed for day use, snorkeling, or regular camping (see below). A Florida saltwater fishing license is required to fish anywhere in the park; "J" hooks are banned in favor of circle hooks, and spearfishing and lobster collection are prohibited.

Large Group Camping (10–20 people)

The Garden Key group campsite must be reserved in advance by emailing the park; it isn't available on a walk-up basis for groups this size.

Campgrounds & RV Options

There is no RV or vehicle camping possible here — the only campground is a short walk from the dock on Garden Key, accessible solely by boat, ferry, or permitted tour guide (not by seaplane).

Garden Key Campground
Primitive, first-come, first-served individual sites (each up to 6 people/3 tents) plus one reservable group site for 10–20. $15/night per individual site, $30/night for the group site, paid via the Recreation.gov app (download before you go — cell service is limited). Tents are required (no sleeping under the stars, due to wildlife). No wood fires — charcoal grills or gas stoves only, and gas stoves aren't allowed on the ferry. No trash service — pack out everything.

The ferry carries a maximum of 10 camping passengers per day, so book your camping trip months ahead, especially around winter holidays.

Good to Know

  • Snorkeling around Fort Jefferson's moat wall is a highlight even for day-trippers — clear water and abundant reef life right off the dock.
  • No supplies are sold on the island — bring all food, water, and gear, whether you're camping or visiting for the day.
  • Loggerhead Key has no public shuttle — reaching it requires a private vessel or your own kayak/canoe brought via the ferry (with advance arrangement).
  • Weather can cancel the ferry with little notice — build flexibility into multi-day trip plans.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Dry Tortugas National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · NPS – Alerts & Conditions