Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida   Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of seven islands and features some nice coral reefs. A spree to Dry Tortugas National Park is a pleasant selection when you've got to get out of the house. Time spent at Smathers Beach close to Dry Tortugas National Park is always great, and dry warm beds await you at Pier House Resort and Spa. Dry Tortugas National Park is a common site to spend time for folks from Key West. Dry Tortugas National Park has splendid outdoors recreation, so you can have plenty of fun. Camping at Boyd's Key West Campground is always     a glorious experience; a tour to Whitehead Spit is always a great idea. Dry Tortugas National Park has a large quantity of natural attractiveness; it's a site that everybody enjoys. An average amount of rainfall falls at Dry Tortugas National Park; the wettest month of the year is commonly September, that's the one that rains the most, and the driest month is March. The Westin Key West Resort & Marina is a magnificent site to get some rest, and Dry Tortugas National Park is good enough to spend more than a day at, Leo's Campground/rv Park is a good local campground. Yeah, come here to Dry Tortugas National Park for a great time. There's so much to do here at Dry Tortugas National Park that you need to camp here for a while, Bluewater Key-Clarks RV Lot Rentals is a great place for that, and Garrison Bight is not far at all.       a glorious experience; a tour to Whitehead Spit is always a great idea. Dry Tortugas National Park has a large quantity of natural attractiveness; it's a site that everybody enjoys. An average amount of rainfall falls at Dry Tortugas National Park; the wettest month of the year viewing satisfaction. Do schedule some time to stop at Key West Bight near Dry Tortugas National Park if you have a chance, and a round of golf at nearby Key West Golf Club is a splendid way to kill some time. During the summer, highs ordinarily are in the 80's at Dry Tortugas National Park with night lows in the 70's. Throughout the winter highs are in the 70's, and winter nights come with lows in the 60's to Dry Tortugas National Park. There are lots of enjoyable endeavors for everybody. Middle Ground is a great place to discover, and if you need   a site to stay Hyatt Sunset Harbor Resort is a pleasant choice. You'll need more than a day to look at everything Dry Tortugas National Park has to offer, you can camp at Jabour's Camp and Lodge, and if you came to camp Bluewater Key RV Park is a delightful place to do that. You're sure to bump into some smiling folks from Key West here, and if you need a spot to stay Ocean Key Resort is a wonderful choice. Man of War Harbor is in the neighborhood of Dry Tortugas National Park and is a great location to pop by, and Pearl Bank is a great spot to spend some time. Almost 70 miles (112.9 km) west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. Along with the surrounding shoals and waters, they make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, and its legends of pirates and sunken gold. Ft. Jefferson, the largest of the 19th century American coastal forts is a central feature. The Tortugas were first discoverd by Ponce de Leon in 1513. Abundant sea turtles or 'tortugas' provisioned his ships with fresh meat, but there was no fresh water-the tortugas were dry. Since the days of Spanish exploration,the reefs and shoals of the Dry Tortugas have been a serious hazard to navigation and the site of hundreds of shipwrecks. U.S. military attention was drawn to the keys in the early 1800's due to their strategic location in the Florida Straits. Plans were made for a massive fortress and construction began in 1846, but the fort was never completed. The invention of the rifled cannon made it obsolete. As the military value of Fort Jefferson waned, its pristine reefs, abundant sea life and impressive numbers of birds grew in value. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt set aside Fort Jefferson and the surrounding waters as a national monument. The area was redesignated as Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992 to protect both the historical and natural features.     CONTACTS Email - DRTO_Information@nps.gov Fax- 305-242-7711 Write to P.O. Box 6208 Key West, FL 33041 Phone - 305-242-7700 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons The park is open all year. Ft. Jefferson on Garden Key is open during daylight hours; closed at dark. Loggerhead, East and Middle Keys are open year-round during daylight hours. Bush Key is closed to visitors from March-September to protect nesting Sooty and Noddy Terns. Hospital and Long Keys are closed all year. Getting There PLANE - Commercial air service is available to Key West International Airport. Seaplanes of Key West provides air service to the national park. For schedules, prices, and reservations, call 800-950-2FLY or 305-294-0709. CAR - There are no roads to Dry Tortugas National Park. It can only be reached by boat or seaplane. Private pleasure boats are welcome, but must be fully self-sufficient. U.S. Coast Guard and Geodetic Survey Chart #11438 is necessary for navigation to the Dry Tortugas. Public transportation is described below. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Public transportation - ferry and seaplane - serves the park from Key West. For ferry schedules, prices, and reservations, contact: Sunny Days: phone 800-236-7937 or 305-292-6100; on the internet at www.www.drytortugas.com. Yankee Fleet: phone 800-634-0939 or 305-294-7009; on the internet at www.yankeefleet.com. Seaplane transportation is provided by Seaplanes of Key West. For schedules, prices, and reservations, contact 800-950-2FLY or 305-294-0709; on the internet at www.seaplanesof keywest.com. Fishing and dive charters can be arranged in the Florida Keys and Naples. For a list of services, contact the park at 305-242-7700. Weather & Climate Subtropical climate. Temperatures range from the mid-50's to mid-80's. There are two seasons: Winter storm season (December-March), windy with rough seas, and Tropical storm season (June-November). April and May are idyllic. Accessibility Restrooms, picnic area and the first tier of Fort Jefferson are accessible. Getting Around Upon arrival, see the orientation program at the visitor center in Fort Jefferson and take the self-guiding tour of the fort. A boat is necessary to visit areas of the park other than Garden Key/Fort Jefferson. FEES/PERMITS Entrance Fee DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK Free! CAMPING Garden Key Open All Year The 13-site, primitive campground is located on the same island as Fort Jefferson and is a short walk from the public dock. Eleven individual sites can accomodate up to 6 people and 3 tents, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Should a regular campsite not be available, an overflow area is provided. A group site is available for 10-40 people and must be reserved in advance. Call 305-242-7700 to obtain a reservation application. Groups of 10 or more arriving without a reservation will not receive exclusive use of the group site. The campground is a self-service fee area with a nightly fee of $3 per person. A 50% discount applies to holders of the Golden Age or Golden Access Pass. No other discounts apply. Fees paid for transportation (seaplane or ferry) do not include camping fees. Campsites have picnic tables and grills. Saltwater flush toilets and saltwater sinks are available at the dock. Campers must bring all supplies, including fresh water, fuel, ice, and food. All trash and garbage must be carried out upon departure. The park can only be reached by boat or seaplane; it is inaccessible to trailers and motorhomes. Vessels may anchor between sunset and sunrise in a designated anchorage area, defined as the area of sand and rubble bottom within 1 nautical mile of the Fort Jefferson harbor light. Overnight anchoring is not permitted at any other location in Dry Tortugas National Park. For More Information on this campground please call 305-242-7700 FACILITIES Museums FORT JEFFERSON Open All Year Daylight hours Phone - 305-242-7700 Location - Garden Key Special Programs - Intermittent ranger-led tours. Exhibits - Self-guiding fort tour with interpretive signs. Visitor Centers DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTER Open All Year Location - Inside Fort Jefferson on Garden Key Exhibits - Exhibits on the history of Fort Jefferson. Video describing park's history and natural resources. Available Facilities - Bookstore User input for Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Review Guidelines   Current weather conditions at Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Local climate location: KEY WEST WSO AP 28 miles away Find a Business in or near Dry Tortugas National Park Business TypeOR Business Name   Coordinates: Latitude: 24.56 Longitude: -81.81 Florida Public Lands Complete list of all Public Lands in Florida Outdoors Recreation Near Key West-Marathon, Florida Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Key West-Marathon, Florida, the metro area neareast to Dry Tortugas National Park. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more. Books about about Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Books available from Amazon.com about Dry Tortugas National Park. Florida Outdoors Index Campgrounds Near or in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Paddling Rivers Near or in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Other National Parks Near Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Trails Near or in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Hotels Near or in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Lakes Near or in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Beaches Near or in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Golf Courses Near or in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Ski Areas Near or in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida     Pier House Resort and Spa, Key West .2 miles away Ocean Key Resort, Key West .3 miles away The Westin Key West Resort & Marina, Key West .3 miles away Sunset Key Guest Cottages, A Westin Resort, Key West .3 miles away Hyatt Sunset Harbor Resort, Key West .3 miles away Hyatt Key West, Key West .4 miles away Crowne Plaza Hotel Key West (La Concha), Fl, Key West .4 miles away Marquesa Hotel (LE), Key West .6 miles away Ambrosia Key West, Key West .6 miles away Island City House Hotel, Key West .7 miles away * Distances listed are direct linear distances, actual travel distance may be different.