Dry Tortugas National Park
Guide

As a world-class bird watching destination, Dry Tortugas National Park is a place to visit. With about 300 species of birds sighted in the park, there are more than enough bird viewing opportunities for campers and visitors who love the sight of these creatures. Visiting the park during spring offers campers the opportunity to see birds that are migrating to and from South and North America during that season.

There are birds that nest on the islands of Dry Tortugas that you’ll find nowhere else in the continental US. Examples include sooty terns and frigate bird.

Dry Tortugas National Park is a place to engage in real-world treasure hunt, owing to the fact that the park features geocaches distributed within the park’s area. Hidden containers across the islands give visitors the opportunity to test their searching and hunting skills. GPS-enabled devices are required to locate the hidden treasures.

All campers are welcome to participate in the geocaching exercise as all that's required is a free online registration on geocaching.com to be part of the treasure hunters.

Snorkeling is a wonderful adventure at Dry Tortugas National Park because the park is home to natural wonders that lie below the surface of the water. Seagrass communities and corals are abundant in the park’s waters, offering interesting sights to campers who enjoy snorkeling. Even more, snorkelers get to see an incredible amount of shipwrecks and historic artifacts in the park’s waters too.

There are designated diving and snorkeling sites in the park and all campers are advised to remain within these areas.

Bring your own boat as you visit Dry Tortugas National Park to have the opportunity to explore the park in its entirety. As the park is situated about 70 miles west of Key West, you’ll be embarking on a long trip, so you should prepare yourself adequately for the journey with food, water and fuel. It’s best to have NOAA nautical charts 11438 and 11434 to guide you on your journey to the park. The trip to the park from Key West is just the beginning of the adventure since you get to still visit any, or all, of the seven islands in your own boat when you arrive at the park. Boat rentals are not available in the park.

Dry Tortugas National Park features a wide variety of wildlife above and within the park’s waters. This beautiful wildlife in the park makes it a spectacular destination to watch these species in their natural environment. You’ll get the chance to see crocodiles, sea turtles, nurse sharks, and coral reefs, as well as some threatened and endangered species in the park. All campers who sight these wildlife species in the park are advised to keep their distance from them.

At Dry Tortugas National Park, there are a wide range of ways to explore and enjoy the resources offered at the park. One such way is by participating in the ranger guided tours that are available and open to all. From Fort Jefferson History Tours, to ecological moat walks, and living history demonstrations, there is no shortage of exciting and educational programs for visitors and campers at the park. Night sky programs are also available. As soon as you arrive, just find out what programs are available and join in!