Gulf of MexicoUnited States
24°38′N 82°55′W
Dry Tortugas
Part of Lower Keys
Dry Tortugas National Park is a national park of the United States located about 68 miles (109 km) west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, in the United States. The park preserves Fort Jefferson and the several Dry Tortugas islands, the westernmost and most isolated of the Florida Keys.
Chart
Overview
Dry Tortugas National Park is a national park of the United States located about 68 miles (109 km) west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, in the United States. The park preserves Fort Jefferson and the several Dry Tortugas islands, the westernmost and most isolated of the Florida Keys. The archipelago's coral reefs are the least disturbed of the Florida Keys reefs. The park is noted for abundant sea life, tropical bird breeding grounds, colorful coral reefs, and shipwrecks and sunken treasures. The park's centerpiece is Fort Jefferson, a massive but unfinished coastal fortress. Fort Jefferson is the largest brick masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere, composed of more than 16 million bricks. Dry Tortugas is unique in its combination of a largely undisturbed tropical ecosystem with significant historic artifacts. The park is accessible only by seaplane or boat and has averaged about 63,000 visitors annually in the period from 2008 to 2017. Activities include snorkeling, picnicking, birdwatching, camping, scuba diving, saltwater fishing and kayaking. Overnight camping is limited to eight primitive campsites at the Garden Key campground, located just south of Fort Jefferson. Dry Tortugas National Park is part of the Everglades & Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve, established by UNESCO in 1976 under its Man and the Biosphere Programme.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Census, cataloged
Also in the area
Inside the group's outline but not confirmed as members by any source.
- Loggerhead Key3 m · 0.21 km²
- Garden Key2 m · 0.17 km²
- East Key0.02 km²
- Hospital Key1 m · 0.5 ha
- Middle Key0.4 ha
Figures
Comparative heights
- Loggerhead Key: 3 m
- Garden Key: 2 m
- Hospital Key: 1 m
To the same scale
Islands by area
| Loggerhead Key | 0.21 km² |
| Garden Key | 0.17 km² |
| East Key | 0.02 km² |
| Hospital Key | 0.5 ha |
| Middle Key | 0.4 ha |
Photographs


NPS Photo by Michelle Collier

NPS Photo by Michelle Collier

NPS Photo by Michelle Collier

This file shows an inside view of Fort Jefferson. It shows the arches and architecture within.

NPS Photo by Michelle Collier

NPS Photo by Michelle Collier

NPS Photo by Michelle Collier

Seaplanes in the Dry Tortugas National Park next to Fort Jefferson

A military fort that has been abandoned and now is home to sea life and birds.

NPS Photo D. Diaz

NPS Photo D. Diaz
Sources
Facts
Photographs
- Fort-Jefferson Dry-Tortugas. U.S. National Park Service / Public domain
- DRTO East Key from seaplane NPS Photo by M.Collier Aug2021 (5). drytortugasnps / Public domain
- AER DRTO mooring ball near Garden Key NPS Photo by M.Collier Aug2021. drytortugasnps / Public domain
- DRTO Fishing vessel at night NPS Photo by M.Collier Aug2021 (1). drytortugasnps / Public domain
- Arches inside Fort Jefferson. Natgsimons / CC BY-SA 4.0
- DRTO Harbor Light Milky Way NPS Photo by M.Collier 11Aug21 2 (10). drytortugasnps / Public domain
- DRTO Harbor Light Milky Way NPS Photo by M.Collier 11Aug21 2 (11). drytortugasnps / Public domain
- DRTO view from the seaplane NPS Photo by M.Collier Aug2021 (1). drytortugasnps / Public domain
- Dry Tortugas National Park seaplanes. Dpalma01 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- DRY TORTUGAS, 2015. RATHERBAKEWELL / CC BY-SA 4.0
- East Beach and Surrounding Bush Key. drytortugasnps / Public domain
- East Beach from Fort Jefferson. drytortugasnps / Public domain
