Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida   Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of seven islands and features some nice coral reefs. There is splendid outdoors recreation at Dry Tortugas National Park that you could use. A spree to Dry Tortugas National Park is a delightful pick when you need to spend some time in nature. During the summer, highs usually are in the 80's at Dry Tortugas National Park. For the duration of the dark hours of summer temperatures dip down into the 70's. The winter comes with highs in the 70's; winter nights come with lows in the 60's to Dry Tortugas National Park. So      much exciting stuff close to Dry Tortugas National Park, completely incredible. If you need a place to stay Ocean Key Resort is a splendid choice, and there are plenty of people from Key West here. Why not stop at Whitehead Spit also since you're here, and Pearl Bank is also a magnificent place to look at. You'll need more than a day to explore everything Dry Tortugas National Park has to offer, you can camp at Jabour's Camp and Lodge, and taking a little journey to close by Man of War Harbor is a splendid idea. Dry Tortugas National Park gets a common amount of precipitation; all through September this area sees the most rain while March is ordinarily the driest month. If you came to camp Boyd's Key West Campground is a good site to do that, and if you're here, you might as well pop by Middle Ground. Camping at Pbp Marina        much exciting stuff close to Dry Tortugas National Park, completely incredible. If you need a place to stay Ocean Key Resort is a splendid choice, and there are plenty of people from Key West here. Why not stop at Whitehead Spit also since you're here, and Pearl Bank is also Campground/rv Park is a perfect location for that; you might also want to pay a visit to Frankfort Bank if you're here at Dry Tortugas National Park. If you need a site to stay Hyatt Sunset Harbor Resort is a good choice. There are a lot of enjoyable pastimes to suit everybody. The Westin Key West Resort & Marina is a perfect place to get some rest; a journey to Garrison Bight is always a great idea. The magnificent beauty of Dry Tortugas National Park is there for your viewing satisfaction. Key West Bight is in close proximity and always delightful to   check out, and dry warm beds await you at Sunset Key Guest Cottages, A Westin Resort. Dry Tortugas National Park is a lovely part of wilderness that everybody likes. Yep, outdoors cool stuff to do are beyond doubt plentiful here at Dry Tortugas National Park. On a pretty day you can check out Smathers Beach right next door to Dry Tortugas National Park; a golf course nearby is Key West Golf Club. 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 Resort and Marina, Key West .4 miles away Crowne Plaza Hotel KEY WEST-LA CONCHA, Key West .4 miles away Simonton Court Historic Inn and Cottages, Key West .5 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.