National Parks Journal
Photo: NPS Photo / Brett Seymour
Dry Tortugas National 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.
Entrance Fees
Activities
Top Hikes
0.6 mi · 40 ft gain · loop
Walk through the massive six-sided 19th-century fort, the largest masonry structure in the Americas. Explore casemates, the parade ground, and climb to the ramparts for panoramic ocean views.
Starts at: Fort Jefferson Entrance, Garden Key
0.5 mi · 45 ft gain · loop
Walk atop four sides of Fort Jefferson's upper walls on a gravel path, offering 360-degree views of the open ocean, moat, and surrounding keys.
Starts at: Fort Jefferson Upper Level Stairs, Garden Key
0.5 mi · 0 ft gain · loop
Circle the island of Garden Key along the sandy beach surrounding Fort Jefferson. Excellent for birdwatching, especially during spring migration when sooty terns nest here.
Starts at: Garden Key Dock
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events scheduled for Dry Tortugas National Park. Events are updated daily — check back soon or visit nps.gov for the latest.
Best Time to Visit
Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December
Pleasant weather with fewer crowds
Weather & Climate
The climate in the Dry Tortugas is subtropical, which basically means that it has warm and tropical weather in the range of 60°F to 90°F. The two main seasons are the winter stormy season from December through March which is windier and sees rougher seas, and the summertime tropical storm season from June through November where there is a higher chance of isolated storms. During the summers it is hot and humid. During the winter the temperature is milder and drier.