National park · Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park

A remote Florida Keys park 70 miles west of Key West, centered on Fort Jefferson — the largest brick masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere, used as a Civil War military prison — surrounded by largely undisturbed tropical reef.

Entrance
$15 per person
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Dry Tortugas
Established
1976
Region
The Southeast
Dry Tortugas National Park
Photo: U.S. National Park Service · Public domain
The Dry Tortugas National Park patch

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History

Dry Tortugas National Park is home to Fort Jefferson, the largest brick masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere, which played a significant role during the Civil War as a military prison. The park preserves a largely undisturbed tropical ecosystem alongside significant historic artifacts, making it a unique blend of natural and cultural heritage.

Key events

  1. January 4, 1935Fort Jefferson designated a National Monument by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
  2. October 26, 1992Redesignated as Dry Tortugas National Park; 99% of the park is water.
  3. The park has averaged about 63,000 visitors annually from 2008 to 2017, showcasing its appeal as a natural and historical destination.

Trails

  • Fort Jefferson Self-Guided Tour 0.5 mi · Easy
  • Garden Key Beach Walk 0.4 mi · Easy
  • Moat Wall Loop 0.5 mi · Easy
  • Bush Key Walk (seasonal, Oct–Jan) 0.25 mi · Easy
  • Loggerhead Key Paddle 6 mi · Hard

Plan your visit

Hours · Dry Tortugas

Open 24 hours, every day

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

Entrance fees

  • Per Person $15

Fees and hours as of September 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Spring. Peak migration for sooty terns and frigatebirds (Feb–April), warm calm seas, excellent snorkeling visibility
  • Summer. Calmest water and best dive conditions, but hot and prone to afternoon storms
  • Fall. Fewer crowds, good snorkeling, Bush Key reopens to visitors in October after tern nesting closure
  • Winter. Cooler dry-season temperatures but windier conditions can disrupt the ferry

Wildlife

Sooty ternsBrown noddiesMagnificent frigatebirdsMasked boobiesLoggerhead sea turtlesGreen sea turtlesNurse sharksGoliath grouperParrotfishBarracuda
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