My dad and I camped at Dry Tortugas National Park for two nights as a sort of celebration after I defended my PhD. The nature - a lot of it in the form of snorkeling - gave me a bit of peace and calm after working hard on writing my dissertation for the last 5 years. The park staff were amazing and really made the visit special. I waited years to get a campsite here and it was work every time I checked the website. This is truly some amazing snorkeling - some of the best in the US!
Sincerely,
Dry Tortugas National Park
This park protects seven small islands 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, and the ocean waters that surround them. These islands change constantly from the effects of tides, weather, air, and other environmental and human factors. On Garden Key, visitors can tour the largest all-masonry fort in the United States, built between 1846 and 1875 to defend the Gulf of Mexico, but never completed. The park is also renowned for its vibrant coral, lush seagrass, and migratory birds.
State(s): Florida
Established: 1935
“I support parks to make a safe haven for both wildlife and people in this crazy work we live in. Everyone deserves access to a piece of wilderness and our wildlife and ecosystems are worth protecting. ”
National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!
Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.
In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!
Here’s your unique story page link:
{{ storyUrl }}-
Greetings from Dry Tortugas National Park
We had a whirlwind 1 week trip visiting all 4 national parks in Florida and the Virgin Islands. One of the highlights of our trip was taking the seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park for a day trip. We snorkeled and explored the fort. Highly recommend!
-
Greetings from Dry Tortugas National Park
In April of 2013 my partner Keith and I, took a trip to Miami, FL and drove to Key West. I'd always wanted to visit Dry Tortugas because many years ago a cousin of mine worked for the NPS there. We decided to splurge on a float plane rather than…
-
Greetings from Dry Tortugas National Park
The moment we arrived at the Dry Tortugas I fell in love with the views from atop Fort Jefferson. What I love about The Dry Tortugas is that you can explore Florida's natural wonders and get lost exploring a historic site all at the same time. A feeling of peace…
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now