Dry Tortugas
Fort Jefferson
Construction of Fort Jefferson was begun in 1846 due to the strategic location of the islands. It is America’s largest coastal fort, and covers most of Garden Key. This massive brick structure was never fully completed. Most of the fort can be explored. It was used as a prison in the civil war and housed Dr. Samuel Mudd, who aided Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth, by setting his broken leg.
Interior of Fort Jefferson
Bird watching
Many species of sea birds can be spotted in the Dry Tortugas. Over 100,000 sooty terns nest on Bush Key between May and September. Frigate birds, brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, and many other species are common.
Coaling dock ruins
Camping
Camping is allowed on Garden Key, and is restricted to a small area. It is quite pleasant, however, and needless to say the best time to be on Garden Key is after the day-trippers have left and you feel like you have the whole island to yourself. Be aware that hurricanes are always a possibility in the season. Shelter can always be had inside Fort Jefferson, however,which has stood firm against the storms for over 150 years.
Fort Jefferson arches
back to Dry Tortugas page 1
Any comments, updates, personal insights, etc. for this destination? Reviews of food or lodging? Send them in this contact form and they will be posted to this site!