[2025 Monroe County Attraction] Travel Guide for Dry Tortugas National Park (Updated May)

The 19th-century fortress Dry Tortugas National Park floating in the turquoise sea is one of the most difficult to reach American national parks. The boat and seaplane can only be reached. From Key West, all the way to the west for two and a half hours. The speed of the ship is very fast. Standing on the bow deck, you can sometimes see the sea turtles floating on the water surface. Several black clouds on the side are pouring rain on the uninhabited reefs a few kilometers away. Most of the dry turtle national parks belong to the sea, while the upper part of the sea has only a few small coral reefs and a huge amount of Fort Jefferson. Built in the 19th century, the hexagonal fort was built with more than 16 million bricks and is said to be the largest masonry in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to maintaining the shipping trade and defending the security of the Gulf of Mexico, it was also used to detain the Southern Alliance deserters during the American Civil War. Jefferson Fort is almost as large as the island it is in. It took me more than three hours to walk along each floor of the fort. I even went snorkeling and back to the shore. I didnt care about lunch on the boat. The fortress was full of large-caliber artillery pieces, and the one-meter-thick outer wall was unbreakable in the same year, enough to protect the "Gibraltar" of the Gulf of Mexico.

As the largest masonry fort in the United States, Jefferson Castle stands on Garden Island, 113 kilometers west of Key West, the southernmost tip of the United States mainland. Jefferson castle is hexagonal. It is built according to the perfect symmetry advocated by the classical architecture school. From the air, you can take a plane to overlook the magnificence of the whole fort.

#usatrip Located 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote paradise accessible only by boat or seaplane. This hidden gem is composed of seven small islands surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and a wealth of marine life. The park is home to the historic Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century coastal fortress that once served as a prison during the Civil War. Today, the fort and its surrounding waters provide a unique setting for exploration and adventure. Visitors can snorkel or dive in some of the most pristine waters in the United States, encountering colorful fish, sea turtles, and coral formations. The park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with numerous species nesting on its islands. Camping on the beach is available for those looking to spend a night under the stars in this remote and tranquil setting. Whether you’re exploring the historic fort, swimming in clear waters, or simply enjoying the solitude of a secluded beach, Dry Tortugas offers a truly unique and hidden experience in the Florida Keys.