Dry Tortugas by RV: Campgrounds, Rules, and Tips

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

Dry Tortugas is unlike any other national park, and it's worth knowing that before you go. The short answer is that you can't get there by RV. The park is an archipelago of coral islands about 68 miles offshore from Key West, far out in the Gulf of Mexico, with no road access. Your vehicle stays at the dock.

That doesn't mean you need to leave it out of your road trip. Thousands of RV travelers drive all the way down the Florida Keys and make Dry Tortugas a ferry day trip from their campground. With a little planning, it's one of the most striking days of any South Florida itinerary. This guide explains how to combine the two: where to park your RV, how to reach the island, and whether you can spend the night there (yes, in a primitive tent campground).

Can you drive and camp in an RV at Dry Tortugas?

As for driving, no. It's a permanent geographic limitation. Garden Key, the park's main island and the site of Fort Jefferson, is separated from Key West by 68 miles of open water. There is no bridge, no vehicle ferry, and no road connecting it to the mainland. No matter how long or what class your RV is (Class A, Class C, or van), it can't cross that stretch of ocean.

Camping, on the other hand, is allowed. The park has a primitive campground on Garden Key that's open year-round. There are no hookups, running water, or dump station. You go back to basics with a tent and backpack, just steps from the most isolated fort in the United States.

How to reach Dry Tortugas from Key West

The Yankee Freedom III ferry is the option most visitors choose. It leaves every morning from the Key West Historic Seaport and takes about 2 hr 15 min to reach Garden Key. Round-trip fares, including the entrance fee, run about $175 to $200 per adult. Book ahead, especially during the peak season from January through April. Departures fill up several weeks in advance.

There are two other options. The first is a private boat or a boat charter if you have access to a vessel from Key West. The second is a seaplane. The flight takes about 20 minutes, but it costs considerably more. Getting to Dry Tortugas from Key West covers all three options, along with current operators and pricing information.

Where to park your RV in Key West

This is the real logistical question for RV travelers. Key West has narrow streets and limited parking for large vehicles. Three options stand out in the area.

Boyd's Key West Campground (Stock Island)

Stock Island is the small island just before Key West when you're coming from the north, only a few minutes from the ferry marina. Boyd's is the most convenient RV campground in the area, with full-hookup sites (water, 30/50-amp electric, and sewer), a shuttle to downtown, and beach access. The sites accommodate large motorhomes. Leaving early for the ferry without driving an RV through Key West is a real advantage.

Jabour's Trailer Court (Key West)

Right in Key West, just a few minutes' walk from Duval Street. The sites are more compact and better suited to Class B and midsize Class C RVs. If you want to enjoy the city's atmosphere the night before your island trip, this is the most central option.

Leo's Campground & RV Park (Key West)

A third option on Key West island, with more limited capacity. Check the maximum vehicle length before booking. The sites are tight, and large vehicles over 30 feet won't fit everywhere in Key West's campgrounds.

The park's only campground (tents only)

If you want the full experience and plan to sleep on the island, leave the RV in Key West and bring only what the ferry can carry: a tent, sleeping bag, food, and water.

The Garden Key campground has about 10 individual sites and two group sites, set along the beach in the shade of tropical trees. Conditions are strictly primitive. Bring your own drinking water (plan on at least 4 liters per person per day; the park provides none), manage your trash, and take it with you when you leave. Composting toilets are available on-site. That's about it for amenities.

Cost: $15 per person per night, plus the entrance fee ($15 per person, valid for 7 days). Reservations are available through recreation.gov only. Peak-season weekend sites are claimed several weeks in advance. Camping on Garden Key covers the details of a tent stay.

Dump stations, water, and services

There are no RV services on Garden Key. It makes sense: no motor vehicles can get there.

In Key West, Boyd's Campground has an on-site dump station. The city also has a few dump stations, but access varies by season. Practical tip: fill your fresh-water tank and dump your tanks before leaving the Key West area if you plan to head back up US-1 without stopping at a campground.

Boondocking and dispersed camping around the park

True boondocking is very limited in the Florida Keys. The area around Key West is densely developed, and roadside camping is prohibited on US-1 in Monroe County. If you're looking for a night in nature before or after your visit, you'll need to drive north to Big Cypress National Preserve, about 2.5 hours away, where RV camping areas are allowed on BLM land.

Our South Florida guide points out the dispersed-camping options along this corridor for RV travelers.

Renting an RV to visit Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas fits naturally into an RV road trip from Miami or Fort Lauderdale via US-1. For this route, a 20- to 23-foot Class C or a converted Class B van is easier to handle than a large Class A motorhome. Key West's streets are narrow, and several local campgrounds limit vehicle length to about 30 feet.

The main rental agencies are concentrated at Miami International Airport (MIA) and in Fort Lauderdale (FLL), about 3 hours from Key West. Plan to book two to three months ahead if you're targeting January through April, the busiest season in all of South Florida.

Pets, budget, and reservations: what to know

Pets: Pets aren't allowed at Dry Tortugas, either in the park or aboard the Yankee Freedom III ferry. If you're traveling with a dog, arrange boarding or a pet sitter in Key West before taking the boat.

Budget: The entrance fee ($15 per person, valid for 7 days), plus the ferry (about $175 to $200 per adult round-trip), plus camping if you spend the night on the island ($15 per person per night). The America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee but not the ferry, which is operated by a private concessioner independent of the NPS. Our Fees and passes page explains entrance fees and passes.

When to book: Garden Key campsites fill quickly for the December-through-April season. Open recreation.gov as soon as your dates are set. To choose the best time based on weather and sea conditions, the Dry Tortugas seasons guide has everything you need.

In summary: our RV plan for Dry Tortugas

Here's how we organize the visit from an RV, in two clearly separate parts.

On the Key West side: Set up the RV at Boyd's (Stock Island) or Jabour's (central Key West) the night before. Dump the tanks, fill the fresh-water tank, and pack the island gear in a backpack.

On the island: Take the Yankee Freedom III from the Key West Historic Seaport in the morning. Spend the day on Garden Key visiting Fort Jefferson, snorkeling on the coral reef, and walking the beach among frigatebirds and boobies. If you've reserved a campsite through recreation.gov, stay one or two nights in a tent. There is no electricity or Wi-Fi, just a pristine star-filled sky 68 miles from everything.

For an overview of the park before planning your road trip, see our complete guide to Dry Tortugas.

Frequently asked questions