Dry Tortugas National Park consists of 7 islands about 70 miles west of Key West. It is one of the least visited National Parks in the system as the only way to get there is by ferry, seaplane, or boat. If you want to camp, the only way to get your gear there is by ferry or boat. Getting a spot on the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park is relatively easy, getting a spot for camping at Dry Tortugas National Park is not. But, if you do get a chance to camp there, take it, even though it can be daunting if you’ve never done primitive camping before. You’ll find an article or two online as to what to expect but they don’t really have everything that you would like to know, until now.
Dry Tortugas gets its name from a couple of different sources. The Tortugas is due to all the turtles on the island when Ponce de Leon (that’s right, the fountain of youth guy) landed there, he called the land “Las Tortugas”. Since there was no fresh water on the islands, they would be labeled as “dry” on the mariner charts of the day.
The Keys of Dry Tortugas National Park
There are seven keys, or islands, that make up Dry Tortugas National Park. Unfortunately, four of them are closed to the public.
Hospital Key
Hospital Key is a small island that had a (wait for it) hospital on it for the prisoners and residents of Fort Jefferson. Hospital Key is closed to the public, most likely to contain the leftover hospital zombies.
East Key
East Key is the smallest of the keys, it’s pretty much just a sandbar that sits about 6 feet above the surf and is also closed to the public. While small, it still has a purpose as various types of flora and fauna inhabit the key along with a small collection of wildlife.
Middle Key
Middle Key is closed to the public because there are times when it’s not even above water. Seasonal weather and tidal conditions will cover the island for weeks and sometimes months.
Long Key
Long Key is connected to the east end of Bush Key by a sandbar. It’s a mid-sized key at 8,000 square meters filled with sand and trees and it’s also closed to the public.
Bush Key
Bush Key is located right next to Garden Key, separated by a channel that disappears from time to time. Known as Hog Key during the fort’s tenure due to the raising of hogs there for fresh meat for the residents of Fort Jefferson.
No more hogs are raised on the island as it’s a bird sanctuary for Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies. Bush Key is open to the public…only part of the year. It’s closed between February and September during nesting season.
Loggerhead Key
Loggerhead Key is the largest of the keys in the park and it’s open to the public! That’s right, it’s open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. The only way to get there is by small boat. It’s a three-mile paddle from Garden Key if you came by ferry. If you come on a private or commercial boat, there are mooring buoys around the island for you to tie off and then take a small boat in.
On the island there is a lighthouse and a couple of small buildings, including one that’s been deposited on the beach and broken in half. You’re not allowed to go into any of the buildings and be sure to stay on any pathways.
The coral reefs that are around Loggerhead Key are spectacular for snorkeling and diving. There is also the Windjammer shipwreck about a mile southwest of the island. It’s under 20 feet of water and is perfect for scuba diving.
Garden Key
Garden Key is the second largest of the Dry Tortugas National Park islands. It’s 14 acres includes beaches, tropical island trees, campgrounds, a fort, and a moat around the fort. The park headquarters are located on Garden Key, and this is where the ferry, seaplanes, campers, and private boaters check in.
Fort Jefferson
Fort Jefferson takes up much of the land on Garden Key. Building of the fort started in 1846 and lasted for 30 years while never really being completed. That doesn’t mean that it wasn’t used though, it was one of the largest masonry forts in the nation at the time. During the Civil War, Fort Jefferson was used as a prison, it even housed four men involved with President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.
The sheer size of the fort helped to keep the peace, as it was the biggest masonry fort built of its time. Why build such a massive fort in the middle of the ocean you ask? It’s actually in the middle of a very busy shipping lane and the Gulf Stream. All ships going to Europe and eastern North America from South America sail near there and any traffic that goes to the Mississippi River from the east passes by Fort Jefferson.
Reservations for Camping at Dry Tortugas
This is the hard part. You don’t need reservations for the campsites, they’re first come, first serve, with an overflow area, but you have to get there! There are three ways to get to Dry Tortugas:
- The Yankee Freedom Ferry
- Private/commercial boat
- Charter a seaplane
Yankee Freedom Ferry
The Yankee Freedom Ferry is the most economical way that campers get to Dry Tortugas. You’re allowed 60 lbs. of gear per person plus a cooler and all the water that you can carry. If you want to take a kayak with you (highly recommended!) they allow three kayaks per trip, and it costs $20 more. You’ll have to make sure that there is a slot available when you book your trip. They offer 1,2-, and 3-night trips and the cost is $240 per person, that includes the entrance fee into the park, but it doesn’t include the camp site cost, $15 per night.
To say that getting a camping reservation is hard would be an understatement. If you have a group of more than one then you will probably become very intimate with the Yankee Freedom staff through the phone. They do have an online reservation system right here. But go ahead and try to make reservations, you can do it now, that’s okay, I’ll wait…
Did you find any? Of course you didn’t, they are normally booked up at least a year in advance. If you’re going solo, and you have flexibility, then you can log on every day and look for cancellations. Single reservations do pop up regularly, and occasionally there’s room for two, but again, flexibility is the key.
If you keep in contact with the Yankee Freedom staff, they have an idea when there are going to be cancelations, so you’ll want to keep in contact with them. They won’t put you on a waiting list, there is no such thing.
There is a private Facebook account specifically for camping at Dry Tortugas, you should definitely join that one. People will post openings on that page. There are a couple more pages that you might want to look at, just do a Dry Tortugas Camping search.
Private/Commercial Boat
If you have a boat that can make it over 140 miles on one tank of fuel, you can camp in the park. There is no docking at the pier but there are buoys available to tie up to. Or you can charter a boat to take you to the island, there are outfitters that will take you for one or multiple days. You can check on Facebook for help on this also.
Seaplane Charter from Key West
Seaplane Adventures has regular half day and full day excursions, cost is about $800 per person. But due to weight and space restrictions, they won’t take campers.
Dry Tortugas Pre-Camping Prep
You’ve scored your tickets on Yankee Freedom, now what? For the most part, their Camping Information PDF that you can download is very informative and covers a lot of what you can and can’t take with you, but it still leaves some questions on a few subjects.
Disclaimer! What follows is what I have actually seen make it on to the boat, don’t blame me when you overload your bin by 50 pounds, and they make you leave your 1000-watt solar generator and your espresso machine on the dock because you “just can’t morning” without coffee!
Bins, Duffle Bags, Coolers, and Water
The Yankee Freedom Camping Information PDF actually shows you the best bins, duffle bags, and coolers to take. You don’t have to match them exactly, but you’ll want to get something within their size guidelines, so you make sure that it actually gets on the boat.
Bins
The Home Depot 27 Gallon yellow lid bin is by far the most popular, to prove it just take a look…
You can fit a lot of gear in it if you pack carefully, the only thing that you have to be watchful of is the weight. I was able to fit a four-person tent, 2 small tent fans (didn’t need them), flashlights, first aid kit, snorkel gear, extra camera gear, miscellaneous little camping gear, an air mattress, and battery powered inflator.
Duffle Bags
Go for the lightest bag that’ll fit your gear that you can find! If you load up that old canvas military bag that you’ve been lugging around for years, you’re probably losing 10% of your weight allowance.
Coolers
The max size of cooler that you can take is 100 quarts. The size of cooler that you take is going to depend on the size of your group, how long you’re staying, and what you’re planning to eat. Coolers don’t count against your total weight so you can pack as much ice and food as you want.
Water
You can take as much water as you need, do not put it in your bins, leave it separate. You can use refillable water jugs, or you can stock up on one, or five-gallon jugs at the grocery store. Figure at least 1 gallon per person per day.
Extras
Fishing gear, kayaks, and canopies are something that you see a lot of people take. The nice thing about having multiple people in your group going is you can redistribute weight and take some extra “luxury” stuff. There is great fishing around the island, just make sure that you have the proper license. Kayaks are limited to three per ferry trip, so you’ll really have to plan in advance for that. Even if they won’t fit in a bin, you can take a canopy, make sure that you keep your weight where it needs to be.
How Long to Camp at Dry Tortugas
The simplest answer is whatever’s available! Yankee Freedom offers trips of 1,2, and 3 nights. If you can only stay one night, pack as light as possible. I would use the first day for snorkeling and exploring the fort, it’s open until sundown, then you can take the guided Fort Jefferson Tour the second day.
Two nights is a good amount of time, the nice thing is after 5:00 P.M. the last of the seaplanes have gone for the day, and the park is left to you, your fellow campers and the park rangers.
Three nights is the best if you can get it. It gives you plenty of time to set up camp, explore the fort, seek out great photography shots, and get to know your neighbors.
Keep track of your adventures with one of our travel journals! Each journal is 110 pages with a copy of the cover slightly imposed on each page. Click on the cover to buy.
What Not to Pack When You’re Camping at Dry Tortugas
There are a few things that are not allowed in the park. First off, the only fuel that you can use for cooking food is Match Light type charcoal or Sterno, so plan your food schedule accordingly. No weapons are allowed on the ferry, also no liquid fuel or propane, and leave the fireworks at home.
Not allowed:
- Compressed gas of any kind
- Weapons, including axes, hunting knives, firearms, and machetes.
- Kerosene, white gas, or gasoline
- And of course, fireworks
What to Pack for Camping at Dry Tortugas
This is pretty subjective as some things that are absolutely necessary for one group may mean nothing to another. But, there are some things that are needed when camping at Dry Tortugas, and there is no place to buy something once you’re there (for the most part, will be explained later). Of course you’re going to take your normal camping gear, first aid kit, flashlights, plates, towels, utensils, cookware if needed, here’s the official list here.
You are not allowed to camp on Garden Key without a tent, so don’t try to save those 3 pounds and say that you’re just going to sleep in the sand. Pack your tent with a ground cover and stakes if you want them, I don’t know how much they really help in the sand. Keep your cooler in your tent, that way if the wind really starts to whip up, that’ll help keep it on the ground. Then if you really had your heart set to sleep in the sand, go ahead, just be ready to wake up with hermit crabs crawling all over you.
You’ll want to pack a lightweight, comfortable camp chair, unless you really find picnic tables to be the most comfortable place to sit for three days.
Depending on the time of year that you’re going, a sleeping bag might be comfortable if you’re going in the winter. Or you could just take a sheet and a light blanket. In June I only used a single sheet.
Tent fans are great when you’re camping in the middle of summer. In south Florida, they’re pretty much needed all year long. You don’t really need one if the wind is blowing, but on the really calm nights it will get hot, so best to throw one in with your gear.
You’ll want to have a lightweight rain jacket for inclement weather. You can check the forecast before you leave, but in the middle of the ocean, storms do pop up out of nowhere.
If you’re going to cook, and you actually have the weight allowance available for it, take some Match light charcoal. You probably won’t need a 20 lb. bag, just take enough to cover the meals that you’re planning on cooking.
If you have your own snorkel gear you can pack it, if you don’t, Yankee Freedom will supply you with gear for your stay.
Take some type of wet wipe, there’s no running water, and the only toilets are compost type after the ferry leaves.
Cash. The only way to pay for your campsite is to put cash in an envelope at the Park Service drop box.
Clothes needed? Bathing suits, coverups and a good pair of walking sandals/shoes is pretty much all you need. Most of your days will be spent in the water, so bring plenty of bathing suits.
Trekking to Your Campsite at Dry Tortugas
At the Yankee Freedom Dock
You need to be at the Yankee Freedom dock, 100 Grinnell St, by six a.m. with all your gear. You can leave your car parked on the street while you unload and wait for them to check you in. Unload your equipment on the red pavers in front of the stanchions.
The ferry captain and other staff will come down and check all your stuff, yes, they will go through it to make sure that you don’t have prohibited items. They’ll also check the weight of you bins and other gear, so it’s best to be as close to 60 lbs. as possible, and they will pull out a scale.
Once all the campers are checked in, you’ll load your bins, duffle bags, and whatever else that you have into wheelbarrows and take them to the loading area of the ferry. The crew loads your stuff onto the boat and now you’re free to park your vehicle. Just be back to the passenger check in by 7:15, you don’t want to be late and standing on the dock as your camping equipment goes to the park without you.
There is on street parking nearby, make sure that it’s a multi-day spot. If you don’t want to deal with the stress of leaving your car parked on the street for days, there is a city parking garage nearby for $40 a day. I worked out a deal with the hotel I stayed at to be able to leave my truck. They had plenty of parking spots, so it wasn’t a deal. Not all hotels and BNBs in Key West have that luxury though. And if you’re going to do something like that, make sure that your hotel is close enough so that you can get there and back before the ferry leaves.
Yankee Freedom, Your Ride to Camp at Dry Tortugas
This is the easy part. Board the ferry, and enjoy the ride, providing that it’s a calm day. Otherwise, load up on your Dramamine!
The trip from Key West to Dry Tortugas takes about 2.5 hours. They serve bagels, coffee, juice and water. You can sit inside and stand outside downstairs, or you can sit inside or outside upstairs.
The crew is knowledgeable and will have information on the fort and the surrounding keys. You can also buy t-shirts, towels, souvenirs, and other items that you might need.
Unloading and Setting up Camp
Once the ferry is docked and people are unloading, you’ll go upstairs and get a briefing from the captain. They’ll go over general information, such as where to get in contact with the rangers if there’s an emergency, what time to have your site packed up and on the dock, and how to dispose of your trash. Oh, and they’ll tell you about the rats. Actually, right now they are in the process of eradicating them, so they really shouldn’t be a problem anymore. I didn’t see or hear of any when I was there.
By the time the captain is done, they’ll have your gear unloaded from the ferry. Grab yourself a wheelbarrow and load it up with your gear. The campground is to the left of the dock about 100 yards. There are shaded spots, wind protected spots, and open spots. Each campsite is marked by a picnic table and grill. Be careful, some campsites will look empty, but the tents will actually be back in the trees. If there are no open campsites, then you’ll have to set up in the overflow area. You can always move into a better spot if one opens up while you’re there.
Set up your tent and canopy if you brought one. Just be aware that it could get windy, so you’ll want to make sure that everything is secured. DO NOT tie off any of your gear to a tree. That’s not allowed. If it’s really windy, it’s best to leave the rainfly off of your tent.
Exploring Dry Tortugas National Park
The Fort
There are two free tours offered by Yankee Freedom, one’s a short 20-minute general information tour that is given inside the fort. They go over the uses and history of the fort, as well as the building of the fort. If you don’t want to spend too much time on a tour, this one is very informative.
The second tour is a comprehensive tour around the fort, and if you’re camping at Dry Tortugas then you can hop on the tour any day that you are there. You’ll learn about the people who lived there and what they did during their days they spent at the fort. You’ll walk around the fort and learn about the buildings and what life was like living in the fort. This is a great learning experience, and you should definitely do it.
If you’d rather take your time and not have 20 people surrounding you and getting in your pics, then there is a self-guided tour that starts at the ranger office and museum. There are information stations throughout the fort and signs to guide you on your trip.
The Beaches
There are two main beaches on either side of the fort. The south side beach gives you the most room. It’s shallow so a lot of people like to hang out in the water. The north side is a smaller beach, so pick a side that suits your beach personality. Both offer great snorkeling with a chance to see unlimited marine life.
Snorkeling When You’re Camping at Dry Tortugas
The best snorkeling is by the Coaling Dock Ruins. You’ll see big tarpon, plenty of reef fish, and amazing coral. Be careful around the coaling docks, it’s more open and the water will get choppy. Snorkeling along the moat wall is popular too. Reef fish, stingrays, anchors, sea turtles, even sharks will show up. If you can get out to Loggerhead Key there’s a great reef to snorkel there too. You can spend hours snorkeling around the reefs in Dry Tortugas National Park and not get bored!
Kayaking While You’re Camping at Dry Tortugas
If you’re lucky enough to get your kayak on the ferry, then you are in for a treat, even if you don’t fish. You can take your kayak over to Loggerhead Key and check out the tranquility that island has to offer. Just make sure that the weather is favorable, it’s a three-mile paddle over open water and it can get rough. Even if it does get rough, you can still kayak in the harbored waters around Garden Key.
Fishing
Amberjack, grouper, snapper, and even barracuda are all fish that you can catch just fishing off the dock. Make sure that your license is up to date, and if you bring your own gear you can fish from the dock, take your kayak out, or just fish the surf.
After Hours While You’re Camping at Dry Tortugas
The ferry heads back at 2:30, the Seaplane tours are off the island by 5:00 and the only people left are the campers and the rangers. If you ever wondered what it would be like to be on a secluded island, this is about as close as it gets!
You can explore the fort until the sun goes down. Speaking of the sun going down, find yourself a comfortable spot and enjoy the sunsets and sunrises as they are spectacular! Meet your fellow campers, this is a special trip, and most people enjoy talking about their experiences to get there.
After the sun goes down, be prepared for the best stargazing that you have ever seen. No light pollution means more stars are viewable in the sky. Shine a flashlight on the ground, you will see the most hermit crabs that you have ever seen in your life!
Yankee Freedom Ferry, Keeping Your Primitive Trip Semi-Primitive
The Yankee Freedom Ferry shows up every day around 10:30, this is like a floating general store showing up at the entrance to your tent. Running out of ice or water? You’re covered. Need a shower to rinse off? Yep, you can do that too.
If you’re tired of the trail mix and beef jerky that you’ve been eating for the last two days, climb the ramp and get yourself a made to order cheeseburger! There’s other food that you can order too. You can even belly up to the bar and order cocktails until the ferry leaves.
So, if you’re worried about not being able to make three nights of primitive camping, rest assured that there’s some help that shows up every day.
Be prepared to spend an extra night if the weather doesn’t cooperate. It doesn’t happen often, but there is a possibility, so don’t over gorge yourself and eat all that beef jerky the last night because you don’t want to take it back with you.
Heading Back to Key West
Break down your campsite and make sure that all the sand is off everything. Grab a wheelbarrow off the dock and cart all your gear and garbage bag to the picnic tables on the pier where they unloaded you. You need to have your equipment there before the ferry docks, or by 10:30.
It’s best to do it first thing in the morning, that way you don’t have to fight for a wheelbarrow and can do whatever you want before the ferry leaves at 2:30. Hang out at the beach one last time, snorkel the moat wall again, or take one of the tours.
If you are on the fence about camping at Dry Tortugas National Park, let me tell you that if you ever have a chance, take it! You will not regret it, and it will give you an experience that you will remember forever.
Did I miss something? Have you been there and have your own tips, or are you going and you still have questions? Drop a comment below and I’ll answer.
Looking for things to do while you’re in Key West? Check out 9 Awesome Things to do in Key West right here!
Pin It!
