Before we started traveling full time in our RV, I had never been to a national park. It's hard to believe I was missing out on some of our nation's greatest natural treasures. One of our goals now is to visit as many of the parks as we can. When exploring a state, we try to include any national parks located there on our itinerary. So far, we have been to 22 out of the 63.
While planning our recent trip to Florida, I was surprised to learn that one of their national parks is located 70 miles off the coast of Key West...in the middle of the ocean! Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the US. Because it takes more planning to get there, Dry Tortugas is also one of the least visited and least crowded of the national parks. Don't let that stop you from visiting, though, because this place is worth the trip.
Guest Post by Robin Buck
Why The Name Dry Tortugas?
Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of 100 square miles of mostly open water with a cluster of seven small islands scattered inside it. The area was originally discovered by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513. He called it Las Tortugas (which means turtles in Spanish) because of all the magnificent sea turtles that he saw in the surrounding waters. The name was later changed to Dry Tortugas on sailing charts to warn mariners that the islands had no fresh water and were thus "dry."
Getting There
There is no car or RV access to Dry Tortugas. Because of its remote location and limited transportation options, you need to plan ahead before you visit. The two most popular ways to get to Dry Tortugas are by ferry or by seaplane. Both methods for these day trip options leave from Key West, so make sure you plan some time in this great city too. If you have your own boat or want to hire a private charter, you must have permits and follow specific park regulations. They also allow primitive camping on the island if you have a reservation.
The Yankee Freedom Ferry is the official Key West ferry of the Dry Tortugas National Park. It is the most cost-effective of the transportation options. This high-speed catamaran travels up to 30 miles per hour, is 110 feet in length, and carries 175 passengers. The Yankee Freedom has an open-air upper deck, an air-conditioned main cabin, three restrooms, and a full galley and cocktail bar (breakfast and lunch are included). Travel time for this full day trip is about 2 1/2 hours each way, leaving about 4 hours for exploring the park.
The other popular option is through Key West Seaplane Adventures which offers half-day and full day trips. As the only seaplane service to Dry Tortugas, it is more expensive, but the advantage is the short 40-minute trip each way. Meals are not included, but coolers, drinks, and ice are provided for you to take. Each plane carries 10 passengers, and two planes make the trip several times a day. For the half-day excursion, you have 2 1/2 hours on the island and the full day excursion give you 6 1/2 hours. On the plane everyone gets a window seat and a headset to hear the well-narrated trip information as you cruise at 500 feet over atolls and shipwrecks, hopefully spotting some sharks, manta rays and sea turtles below!
Animals of Dry Tortugas
The area's protected waters make up 99% of the park and are teeming with bird and marine life. Those turtles that Ponce de Leon saw are still found here. In fact, the Dry Tortugas area is the biggest nesting site for the Green and Loggerhead turtles in all of the Florida Keys. Bird lovers will be happy to know that over 300 species have been spotted here. Imagine seeing close to 100,000 sooty tern birds gathering at their only regular nesting site in the entire US. The crystal-clear water holds abundant coral reefs that provide a haven for more than 400 species of fish. In addition to sea turtles, you might also spot sharks, octopus, lobsters, squid, and giant groupers.
Fun On The Island
Whichever method you use to get there, it is an amazing sight when you arrive at the cluster of 7 undeveloped islands that make up the Dry Tortugas. Surrounded by clear blue water, Garden Key is the centerpiece of this cluster and is home to majestic Fort Jefferson. You can take a self-guided tour of the fort and stop in the small visitor center. Don't forget to stamp your park passport book and buy a few souvenirs.
Swimming and snorkeling are permitted in certain areas around the island (both tour companies provide snorkeling equipment for you). We spent some time in the water and saw many varieties of colorful coral and tons of different fish. We did the half day seaplane tour but wish we could have stayed longer for more snorkeling time.
Picnic tables are located on the grounds for eating a snack or lunch and you can also walk on the sand out to connecting Bush Key. There are very limited services in this remote location: no cell phone coverage or internet, no food or water, and no trash cans. You must bring everything you need with you and pack out all trash to protect this vulnerable wildlife area.
Explore Fort Jefferson
The largest brick structure in America, Fort Jefferson is composed of sixteen million bricks. Although construction began in 1846, it went on for 30 years and was never actually finished. The building process took so long in part because all of the bricks and supplies had to be delivered by boat! The fort was first built to control navigation and protect ship traffic in the Gulf of Mexico.
During the Civil War, Fort Jefferson was mainly used as a prison for Union deserters. Its most famous inmate was Dr. Samuel Mudd who was convicted for conspiracy and harboring John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated President Lincoln. By the late 1800s the fort transitioned to a Navy refueling station until it was abandoned in 1916.
The fort today still looks much the way it was when soldiers lived and worked there. The structure is six-sided with gun towers on each of the corners and three levels for artillery. To enter the fort, you cross a massive drawbridge over the 70-foot moat which served to protect the fort from invaders. You can imagine how the soldiers lived here as you stroll the parade grounds and see foundations of the barracks, officers' quarters, and bakery. There are no walls as you walk along the top of the fort to see the guns and munitions storage areas, giving you a great view down below and out across the sparkling water.
One Of A Kind Park
We thoroughly enjoyed our time camping in Key West and the trip to Dry Tortugas National Park was a key highlight in our stay. Traveling to the park was part of the whole experience because it gave us an amazing view from above as we flew the 70 miles across the ocean. On the island we loved exploring Fort Jefferson and learning its interesting history. Snorkeling in the beautiful turquoise water and seeing the fascinating coral and sea life was the icing on the cake. Visiting a national park is always a great experience, but seeing this remote beauty was one-of-a-kind!
Robin and her husband, Mike, are Air Force veterans and empty nesters who travel full-time in their Entegra Anthem motorhome. Always ready to explore, they love nature and wildlife, meeting new friends, and discovering America's many hidden gems. Robin chronicles their adventures and experiences on her travel blog RVing with Robin.
