Garden Key

Visiting Garden Key

Garden Key is home to park headquarters, visitor center, campgrounds and great swimming and snorkeling areas.

Garden Key is the second largest island in the Dry Tortugas, about 14 acres in size, and has had the most human impact. Located on Garden Key is historic Fort Jefferson, one of the nation’s largest 19th century forts and a central cultural feature of Dry Tortugas National Park. To learn more about the history of Fort Jefferson click here.

Arriving at Garden Key

The only way to visit Garden Key and all other areas of Dry Tortugas National Park is by boat or seaplane. Ferry and seaplane passengers travel directly from Key West to Garden Key. Entrance fees are included in ticket price. Those passengers traveling here by personal vessel must stop by Garden Key to pay the entrance fee. To find more information about bringing your own boat, click here Boating.

• Yankee Freedom Ferry
• Key West Seaplane Charters
• Other Guided Tours & Charters

Due to damage from Hurricane Ian, space for personal vessels is extremely limited. The finger piers and slips and the dinghy beach between the finger piers and the South Coaling Dock on Garden Key are closed, as well as the South Coaling Dock ruins proper. There is limited space for personal vessels east of the Yankee Freedom III pier to the seaplane beach.

Things to Do at Garden Key