News Release

Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks modify operations for Tropical Storm Laura

Date: August 22, 2020
Contact: Park Information, 305-242-7700
Contact: Michelle Collier, 305-978-2458

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - On Sunday, August 23 at 5:00 pm, Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks will temporarily close park entrances and visitor facilities in preparation for Tropical Storm Laura for the safety of visitors and staff. Park concession-operated boat, ferry, and sea plane tours as well as services and rentals will also suspend operations by 5:00 pm Sunday.

Marine waters in both parks will remain open for boating, but emergency services will be extremely limited after 5:00 pm Sunday.

No wilderness camping permits will be issued until further notice.  

In Everglades National Park, vessels may seek safe harbor in the area of Ponce De Leon Bay, the Little Shark River between marker 1 and marker 69, and the main tributary of the Shark River. The Flamingo Marina will be closed. Chickees are also closed and vessels are not permitted to tie off to chickees.

In Dry Tortugas National Park, vessels may seek safe harbor within the one nautical mile anchoring zone around Garden Key, including Bird Key Harbor.
Boaters are advised that no services will be available and both Garden and Loggerhead Keys will be closed, including the main dock and visitor courtesy slips on Garden Key. 

All closures will remain in place until severe weather passes and the National Park Service makes a determination that employee and visitor facilities are safe. Current status will be posted as an alert on each park’s website.

If the storm track changes, the parks may issue a new advisory with updated status, including any lifting of the closures. Please check “Alerts” on the parks' websites for current information. The NPS Hurricane and Severe Weather Response has updates for all National Park Service sites.

For more information about Dry Tortugas National Park, visit nps.gov/drto or follow the park on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

For more information about Everglades National Park, visit nps.gov/ever or follow the park on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.