Best trails in Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park lies nearly 70 miles west of Key West, preserving Fort Jefferson and a rare coral-fringed archipelago where over 99 percent of the park is open water. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, it offers snorkeling amid vibrant reefs, historic fort exploration, primitive camping around Garden Key, and world-class birdwatching—especially during spring migration when sooty terns and frigatebirds nest nearby. Bring supplies, as there are no services beyond interpretive signage and composting toilets.
Top trails
- (191)·Easy·0.7 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrIn order to access this island, visitors must take a boat or ferry from the mainland. This historic fort is surrounded by gorgeous beaches and lovely turquoise water all around. Fort Jefferson was designed to protect a deepwater anchorage for ships patrolling the Gulf of Mexico.
- (86)·Easy·0.8 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis is an easy walk along the south shore of Bush Key starting from the main boat point. The trail may cut through shallow ocean water at times. The very end of the trail is seasonally closed for bird nesting and there are signs generally posted but make sure to check with a ranger before heading out.
Visitor info
The entrance fee for Dry Tortugas National Park is $15.00 per person and is good for 7 consecutive days. Any person 15 years old and under is exempt from paying an entrance fees (including international visitors).
Ferry tickets include the cost of entrance to the park, but NOT camping fees.
Seaplane will charge the entrance fee upon arrival. Plan to bring cash for each person aged 16-years of age and older.
Private boaters may purchase a digital pass in advance or pay cash/check at Garden Key main dock.
No entrance pass required for US citizens and residents on these days:
February 16 — Presidents' Day
May 25 — Memorial Day
June 14 — Flag Day
July 3–5 — Independence Day weekend
August 25 — National Park Service's birthday
September 17 — Constitution Day
October 27 — Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
November 11 — Veterans Day
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The first tier of Fort Jefferson is wheelchair accessible, though assistance may be needed on the grassy/natural terrain.
Additional information about accessibility at Dry Tortugas National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
Commercial boat tours are used to access the park. Please contact those services directly to ask about accessibility.
The first tier of Fort Jefferson is wheelchair accessible, though assistance may be needed on the grassy/natural terrain.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
