Camping

Camping at Garden Key

NPS Photo

Camping at Garden Key

Camping at Garden Key is an incredible experience with amazing star gazing, snorkeling, sunsets, and more! But you must be prepared to camp in this remote location. To assist you in your planning, be sure to review the information on this page and follow the link below to learn more about camping at Dry Tortugas National Park.

Plan Your Camping Trip

• Campsite Information

  A primitive campground is located on Garden Key and is a short walk from the public dock. The individual sites can each accommodate up to 3 2-person tents (total of 6 people), and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not required for the 6-person sites. All campers, once they arrive, will be guaranteed a place to camp.

• Camping Facilities and Supply Needs

  Campsites have picnic tables and grills. Campers must bring all supplies, including a tent, fresh water, fuel, ice, and food. All trash and garbage must be carried out upon departure. Gas camping stoves or charcoal briquettes placed in campsite BBQ units are the only fires allowed.

Transportation: Plan Ahead!

Transportation for campers is limited to private vessels and the daily commercial ferry that takes a maximum of 10 campers per day each way. Private vessels should check in with a ranger upon arrival at Garden Key for camping information and vessel anchoring areas. The seaplane does not offer transport for campers.

• Ferry Transportation

  The ferry can bring campers and their gear to the Dry Tortugas. You should check with the ferry operator for details on what they will transport by calling them at 1-800-634-0939. Once you arrive, there are wheeled carts at the dock to assist in moving your camping gear to the campground.
  
  Due to the limited number of spots on the ferry, we recommend booking your trip months in advance, especially during the winter holidays and winter season that tends to be busier, as visitors from northern chilly climates head to south Florida sunshine. If you arrive at the park with the daily commercial ferry, you will have a spot to camp. Garden Key is a small island, but we'll work at finding a place for you to pitch your tent - and you must have a tent to camp.

• Private Vessels

  Overnight anchoring is allowed in the area of sand and rubble bottom within 1 nautical mile of the Fort Jefferson harbor light and must not block any designated channel. Overnight anchoring is not permitted at any other location in Dry Tortugas National Park. Upon arrival, the wheeled carts on the dock can be used to assist in moving your camping gear from your vessel to the campground.

Group Camping

• Group Campsite Reservation (10-20 people)

  A group site is available for 10-20 people and must be reserved in advance. Call [phone] to obtain a Group Campsite Reservation Application, or click here. All applications should be emailed to the email address at the bottom of the form. Groups of 10 or more arriving without a reservation will not receive exclusive use of the group site.

Fees

• Campsite Fees NOT included in transportation fees.

  The campground is a self-service fee area with a nightly fee of $15 per individual campsite and $30 for the group site. A 50% discount applies to holders of the Senior Pass (Formerly known as the "Golden Age Pass") or the Access Pass (Formerly known as the "Golden Access Pass"). No other discounts apply. Fees paid for transportation via the ferry do not include camping fees.