Dry Tortugas National Park: planning guide
A small island west of Key West with a brick fort and clear water. You get there by ferry or seaplane.
Dry Tortugas National Park is in FL, United States. The nearest town is Key West — roughly 68.6 mi (110 km) out, about 2 hr 4 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: March through May, then September through November. Shoulder season: February and December.
Midsummer is hot, humid, and buggy; winter is mild and one of the better times to visit.
Biting insects and afternoon storms dominate summer. Repellent and a rain shell matter more than warm layers.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Key West | 68.6 mi (110 km) | 2 hr 4 min |
| Stock Island | 71.2 mi (115 km) | 2 hr 8 min |
| Big Coppitt Key | 76 mi (122 km) | 2 hr 15 min |
| Cudjoe Key | 86.2 mi (139 km) | 2 hr 29 min |
| Big Pine Key | 95.2 mi (153 km) | 2 hr 42 min |
| Marathon | 112 mi (180 km) | 3 hr 6 min |
| Marco Island | 116 mi (186 km) | 3 hr 11 min |
| Marco | 117 mi (188 km) | 3 hr 13 min |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garden Key | Reservable | — |
Where Dry Tortugas National Park sits
Official Dry Tortugas National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Parks you could combine with it
- Everglades National Park
A wide, slow-moving wetland across southern Florida. Sawgrass, mangroves, and wildlife — mosquitoes are part of it.
- Biscayne National Park
Mostly water: mangrove shoreline and coral reef south of Miami. Best seen by boat or snorkel, not by hiking.
- Isla Contoy National Park
A small barrier island north of Isla Mujeres. Protected seabird and turtle nesting site — day visits by permit and boat only.
- Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres National Park
Shallow reef and seagrass beds along the west coast of Isla Mujeres and nearby Cancún waters. Mostly marine — snorkeling and boat access.
Common questions
Where is Dry Tortugas National Park?
Dry Tortugas National Park sits in FL, United States, and the closest town of any size is Key West — about 2 hr 4 min away.
When is the best time to visit Dry Tortugas National Park?
Generally March through May, then September through November, with February and December quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Dry Tortugas National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 1 campground at Dry Tortugas National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.