Couple walking on the top level of Fort Jefferson with turquoise water in the background in Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida

8 Incredible Things to do in Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park offers a slice of pristine tropical paradise, located 70 miles off Key West, Florida. This definitely isn’t the easiest national park to get to—the only way to reach this isolated place is via boat or sea plane. So if you’re going through the time, effort, and expense to reach this remote park, you might be wondering exactly what there is to do here. Here’s 8 awesome things to do in Dry Tortugas National Park, one of the best hidden gems in the United States. 

Woman standing in water next to a brick moat wall next to Fort Jefferson at sunset in Dry Tortugas National Park off Florida

How to Get to Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida: Everything You Need to Know

Key West, Florida is a popular destination for bachelorette parties and winter getaways, but did you know that it’s also home to the most remote national park in the contiguous United States? Dry Tortugas National Park, which lies 70 miles off the coast of Key West, offers a vibrant coral reef that’s teeming with life, white sandy beaches, and Fort Jefferson, which holds the impressive title of being the largest brick structure in the entire Western Hemisphere. If you want to experience one of Florida’s best hidden gems, here’s exactly how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park, one of the most remote places in the United States.

Couple sitting in a tent while camping with Fort Jefferson in the background in Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida

Camping in Dry Tortugas National Park: Everything You Need to Know

Dry Tortugas National Park, located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Florida, is the most remote national park in the Lower 48. The park consists of seven isolated islands in the Gulf of Mexico, only a few of which travelers are allowed to visit.  Most people visit the park as a day trip from Key West, but, for a lucky few adventurous travelers, you can actually camp in Dry Tortugas National Park, allowing you to take in the punchy sunsets, starry skies, and pristine beaches—essentially all to yourself. My husband, Justin, and I have visited over 40 U.S. National Parks and camping at Dry Tortugas is easily one of our favorite experiences in our beautiful public lands.  So if you want to experience one of the most unique and remote places that the contiguous United States has to offer, here’s everything you need to know about camping in Dry Tortugas National Park.

Couple sitting on a brick wall along a moat at Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park off Key West, Florida

Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park: Everything You Need to Know

The Florida Keys is one of the most popular road trip destinations in the United States, but did you know that they’re also home to the most remote national park in the lower 48? Located 70 miles off Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park offers a unique mix of Civil War history, abundant wildlife, and tropical natural beauty. But despite the Keys’ popularity and the park’s stunning landscape, it remains one of the least visited national parks in the United States. If you want to experience this incredible place for yourself, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida’s best-kept secret.

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