Garden Key
Garden Key houses Fort Jefferson and is the only island that allows overnight camping.
Plan Around Garden Key
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Garden Key Details
Garden Key houses Fort Jefferson and is the only island that allows overnight camping. If you're traveling to Dry Tortugas by ferry, you'll be dropped off here. The 14-acre key contains park headquarters, the visitor center and the campground. In addition to camping and touring the fort, there are opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, paddling and hiking here. Take a one-hour guided tour of Fort Jefferson or use the signage to explore the three-story structure on your own. Learn about the various uses of the fort: a refuge for American boats traveling through the shipping channel, a quarantine station, a prison for Civil War deserters and a coaling station for warships. Next, hike down the gravel trail behind the fort, which leads to the Moat Wall. This six-foot-wide walkable seawall circles the fort and appears suspended in water. The Moat Wall is also a prime nighttime snorkeling site! If you've brought your kayak or canoe to Dry Tortugas, drop it into the water and take some time to paddle around the island. Intermediate boaters might opt to paddle to Loggerhead Key, which will take several hours roundtrip. There you'll find the ruins of the Windjammer, a sailing vessel that sunk in 1901. Swimmers on Garden Key enjoy designated swimming beaches, accessible via North and South Beach, with gradual slopes to the water. This island provides ideal conditions for beginner swimmers, however there are no lifeguards on duty. Recreational fishing is allowed on Garden Key, but only from certain locations. Those sites can be found [here](https://www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/sport-recreational-fishing.htm). If you'd like to stay overnight, reserve a campsite upon arrival via the self-service fee area. There are only 10 campsites so be sure to do this as soon as you dock on dry land. Be aware that this is a primitive camping experience - you'll need to provide all necessities including food, water and shelter.
Difficulty
Open
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N/A
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