The entire moat wall will be closed for repair and strengthening of the Fort Jefferson counterscarp (moat wall) damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Ian in 2022. Additional damage occurred from hurricanes in 2024.
Bush Key (including the shoreline beyond the seaplane) is closed to support breeding and nesting activities colonies of Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies. The island will reopen in the fall. More
For nearly 14 years, one individual American Crocodile was a resident at Dry Tortugas. No other crocodiles have been recorded in this location for at least the past century. Until recently, this male crocodile spent most of its time in areas of Garden Key and Bush Key that were not heavily used by visitors. In early 2017 the crocodile began to be sighted more frequently in and around the swimming areas of Garden Key and the moat around Fort Jefferson. Furthermore, NPS staff increasingly observed visitors, despite posted prohibitions, attempting to approach the crocodile and attempting to attract it. Due to concerns about the safety of visitors, as well as the welfare of the crocodile, it was recently re-located from Dry Tortugas National Park to a remote area of Everglades National Park, which is known to be an appropriate habitat for American Crocodiles.
