"Ft. Jefferson on Garden Key" Top 5 Page for this destination Dry Tortugas National Park by grandmaR

Dry Tortugas National Park Travel Guide: 65 reviews and 282 photos

From top of fort - seaplane and our boat

Trip to the Dry Tortugas on a sailboat

In January 2001, after three weeks in Key West, we decided to sail down to the Dry Tortugas. It took us two days to get there (we anchored for the night off the Marquesas) and we stayed for several days. We had a marvelous sail back.

We didn't get down to the Dry Tortugas after that, although we came down to the Keys twice more. So, since I wanted to get photos of the Loggerhead Key lighthouse, I took the seaplane down in 2005. Due to a mechanical fault in the plane, I had to come back on one of the ferries.

Entrance of Ft. Jefferson

Ft. Jefferson is where Dr. Samuel Mudd was imprisoned after he made the mistake of setting the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth.

Powder Magazine

There are NO services down there - no fresh water, no food and no fuel. The National Park Service employees that are stationed there are housed inside the fort and have to order everything from the states. It comes in on a boat once a week. No running to the store for them.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful and isolated
Cons:No services - no food, water or fuel sold
In a nutshell:National Monument

Last visit to Dry Tortugas National Park: Jan 2005
Intro Updated Jul 16, 2011
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Reviews (24)

Sign about the Orange Jasmine shrub - Dry Tortugas National Park

Land Flora and Birds Things to Do (4)

The national park service has informational signs about even the smallest plants, but most of their energy is... more travel advice

Moat from the air - Dry Tortugas National Park

Keep Out of the Moat Warnings and Dangers (6)

What would a fort built on an island out in the middle of the sea want with a moat? Isn't the whole ocean the moat? Au... more travel advice

One boat in the anchorage from the seaplane 2005 - Dry Tortugas National Park

Anchorage Sports & Outdoors (2)

There is a good anchorage off the fort. It used to be that you could come into it from either end, but the access from... more travel advice

Loggerhead Key Lighthouse - Dry Tortugas National Park

Marks the Entrance to the Gulf of Mexico Off The Beaten Path (2)

The lighthouse on Loggerhead Key was built in 1858 to replace the Fort Jefferson light because even with this light,... more travel advice

What to Pack (1)
Water, Food, a Tent and Trash Bags
Nightlife (2)
See All Shrimping
Transportation (3)
See All Sunny Days 'Fast Cat II'

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (7)

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windsorgirl Dec 17, 2004 at 8:56 AM

I would love to make the trip from Key West to the Dry Tortugas...unfortunately I am prone to seasickness, I think I'll have to skip breakfast!
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mtncorg Feb 26, 2004 at 12:51 PM

Another place begging for a folding kayak! Great tips. The father of one of the boatmen on my Grand Canyon trip was a Ranger here. Maybe he was on vacation?:-\
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b1bob Aug 28, 2003 at 8:10 AM

Nice job!
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mrclay2000 Aug 16, 2003 at 11:01 AM

A park I missed on my Florida tour. Forts and tropical wildlife are always tops with me, though I could skip the beach without regret. . .
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kaloz Feb 18, 2003 at 4:54 PM

Fort Jefferson, where Dr Mudd was sentenced. nice page.
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margaretvn Feb 17, 2003 at 11:00 AM

great travelogue and lovely photos
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WFTR Jan 4, 2003 at 7:37 PM

Awesome travelogue!!