Camping at Dry Tortugas: Campground, Reservations, and Costs

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Dry Tortugas

Sleep under the stars 70 miles off Key West, in a 19th-century fort surrounded by turquoise water, with zero light pollution and frigates calling you awake. Dry Tortugas National Park has just one campground, but it's a memorable one. Yes, you can camp in the park. There's only one site: Garden Key, a short walk from Fort Jefferson. Reservations are required through recreation.gov. And no, there's no drinking water or electricity on the island. That's primitive camping, and you need to be ready for it.

Campgrounds in the park (1)

• Campground Garden Key Campground see NPS · 8 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can You Camp Inside Dry Tortugas?

Yes, camping is allowed in the park, but only on Garden Key. You can't camp anywhere outside the designated sites. No other island in the archipelago offers permitted overnight stays.

What sets Dry Tortugas apart from any other NPS campground is its extreme isolation. You can reach the park from Key West only by water or air, using a concession-operated ferry, charter seaplane, private boat, or boat charter. The Yankee Freedom ferry, the most common option, takes about two and a half hours to cross the Gulf of Mexico. In other words, once you're on the island, you're there. Plan accordingly.

The Garden Key Campground

Garden Key is home to the park's only campground. No lodge, no glamping, no hookups. This is strictly primitive camping.

Garden Key Campground

• Sites: about 10 tent sites in an open area by the water, facing Fort Jefferson's walls
• Services: composting toilets on site; no drinking water, showers, or electricity
• Fires: prohibited without exception. Wood and charcoal are not allowed; gas or alcohol stoves only
• Water: bring all of it with you. Plan on at least 4 liters per person per day, and more in summer
• Trash: strict pack-in, pack-out rule. Whatever you bring in, you take back out
• Maximum stay: 3 consecutive nights. Check the current rule on recreation.gov when you make your reservation
• Open: year-round, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

The campground's location is what makes it so hard to forget. Tents go up just a few yards from Fort Jefferson's outer wall, facing shallow lagoon-colored water. Watching the sunset from your sleeping pad compares favorably with any upscale lodge. At night, with the Florida peninsula more than 62 miles behind you, the Milky Way is breathtakingly clear.

RVs at Dry Tortugas: An Option to Forget

RVs can't get to Dry Tortugas. There's no road, bridge, or terminal. The archipelago is an island 70 miles offshore. You arrive by boat or seaplane, while your vehicle stays on the mainland.

If you're traveling by RV, the strategy is simple: park your vehicle in Key West. Private campgrounds and county-run facilities accommodate RVs in the area. Then take your gear to Garden Key in a compact pack. It's an extra logistical step, but entirely doable if you plan ahead. Our RV camping guide for Dry Tortugas summarizes the long-term parking options around Key West.

Camping Nearby: Alternatives on Land

If Garden Key is full or you'd rather stay on land, Key West and the Florida Keys offer private campgrounds and county-run campgrounds with running water, showers, and electricity. Some take tents, while others are exclusively for RVs.

Still, know what you're giving up by staying on land. Dry Tortugas is at its most magical before 8 a.m., before the ferry arrives. Snorkeling over deserted reefs at sunrise, fortifications glowing pink, absolute silence. A day trip, with the ferry offering 4.5 hours on site, captures only a fraction of that atmosphere. For accommodations around the Key West terminal, see our overview of places to stay at Dry Tortugas and our general park guide.

Wild Camping and Camping Outside Garden Key

Dry Tortugas includes several islands, including Loggerhead Key, Bush Key, Long Key, and Middle Key, but camping is allowed only on Garden Key. The other keys are closed to camping.

Bush Key, next to Garden Key, is home to the largest nesting colony of sooty terns in the United States in spring and summer. Access is prohibited then to protect the nests. Loggerhead Key, with its historic lighthouse, is for day visits only. Overnight stays aren't possible.

There is no backcountry permit for camping on the archipelago's other keys. The idea of paddling to a neighboring island from Garden Key is tempting, but the crossings take place in open water, sometimes with wind and currents. Leave them to experienced paddlers who understand how far they'll be from help. Our guide to hikes and water crossings at Dry Tortugas covers access and distances between the islands.

How and When to Reserve Your Dry Tortugas Campsite

Make your reservation on recreation.gov. Sites open 6 months ahead, and they fill quickly, especially from January through April, when the dry season brings calmer seas.

Here are the key things to know:

• Book early: January through March weekends are the most popular. Booking 6 months ahead is standard if you want a site during the busy season.
• Book the ferry and campsite together: The Yankee Freedom has limited capacity too. Reserve both at the same time, or at least on the same day.
• Arrive by seaplane or private boat: That's possible, but you still need a site on recreation.gov. You can't stay overnight without one.
• Read the cancellation policy: recreation.gov policies vary by park. Check before you confirm, especially if you're traveling from far away.

Seasonally, winter, from December through March, brings stronger winds and rougher seas, but mild temperatures from 59°F to 68°F and skies that are often perfect for snorkeling. Summer, from June through November, is hot and humid, with highs around 90°F and a risk of isolated tropical storms. Our guide to seasons at Dry Tortugas compares the two periods and helps you choose the right window.

Costs: How Much Does a Night of Camping at Dry Tortugas Cost?

Camping at Dry Tortugas comes with several expenses.

Important: Ferry and seaplane prices change regularly. Check directly with the operators before booking. The ferry generally includes the entrance fee in its package, but confirm that when you reserve.

The America the Beautiful Pass, the annual NPS pass, covers the $15 entrance fee but not camping or transportation. Our national parks fees and passes page explains entrance fees and passes.

Safety and Good Practices on Garden Key

Dry Tortugas has no bears or venomous snakes. Isolation and the marine environment bring their own rules, though, and they're not negotiable.

Water. This is your number-one concern. Garden Key has no source of drinking water. Plan on at least 4 liters per person per day, and increase that amount if you're snorkeling or kayaking in the heat from June through October. Dehydration on an isolated island two and a half hours from Key West is a medical emergency. Bring more than you think you'll need.

Sun. Glare off the water increases your UV exposure. SPF 50 or higher, a brimmed hat, and UV400 sunglasses are essential, not optional. On the water, sunburn happens twice as fast as you think it will.

Marine life. The archipelago's waters are home to nurse sharks, stingrays, and barracudas. None of these animals is aggressive under normal conditions. Keep your distance, never feed the fish, and get out of the water if you're bleeding. From May through October, sea turtles (Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta) nest on the beaches. Stay at least 6 feet away and never shine a flashlight at the nests.

Food. There is no bear-box rule like you find in mountain parks. Still, protect your food from magnificent frigatebirds and opportunistic birds. A frigatebird can snatch a sandwich in midair. It's documented and amusing, right up until it happens during your dinner. The island has no organic-waste trash cans, so everything leaves with you.

Fires. No wood fires and no charcoal grills. Gas or alcohol stoves only. Rangers enforce this rule without exceptions.

Weather. The ferry may be canceled during a hurricane warning or severe tropical storm. If that happens, you'll stay on the island longer than planned. Always bring an extra day's worth of food and water in case evacuation is delayed. Our general Dry Tortugas guide also covers the park's rules.

Which Campground Should You Choose?

Garden Key is the park's only campground, so the logistical choice is easy. The real question is whether this type of camping fits the way you travel.

• Primitive camping and complete self-sufficiency: Garden Key is for you. Plan your water and meals carefully, and you'll have an experience that's hard to match in the NPS system.
• Families with young children: It's doable, but demanding. The ferry ride takes 2.5 hours, kids need to be comfortable on the water, and water management is non-negotiable.
• RVers: Garden Key is inaccessible to vehicles. Park your RV in Key West and bring only the essentials in a backpack.
• Travelers who want comfort: Take a day trip by ferry and sleep in Key West. Our Where to Stay page lists accommodations near the terminal, from guesthouses to hotels.

Frequently Asked Questions