Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park consists of seven small islands with coral reefs scattered about 113 kilometers west of Key West across a marine sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico. The main island, Garden Key, holds a large 19th-century brick structure surrounded by clear water and sandy beaches.

Juan Ponce de León gave the islands their name in the 16th century after finding numerous sea turtles in the surrounding waters. Construction of the fort began in 1846 as part of a coastal defense strategy and remained unfinished through the American Civil War.

The islands carry names like Garden Key and Loggerhead Key, referencing the wildlife early explorers found here. Visitors can walk through the thick brick walls of the fort and notice how the architecture adapted to tropical heat and humidity.

Getting there requires advance booking, as only ferries and seaplanes from Key West provide connections. Overnight stays mean camping, since no shops or lodging exist on the islands.

Five species of sea turtles, nurse sharks, and thirty species of coral live in the protected marine environment. The fort also served as a prison in the 19th century, holding conspirators in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Location: Monroe County

Inception: January 4, 1935

Operator: National Park Service

Part of: Everglades & Dry Tortugas

Shares border with: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Website: https://nps.gov/drto

GPS coordinates: 24.62861,-82.87333

Latest update: December 12, 2025 23:16