Though I have regrettably not visited this park personally, researching it has definitely caused it to find itself a place on my bucket list. The Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, and consists of a group of seven keys, which are collectively known as the Dry Tortugas. These minuscule islands sit in contrast to more commonly known national parks that encompass vast swaths of wild lands on the American mainland. Though the park may not be large, the park makes up for it by being an extremely intriguing and one of a kind location. Known as being home to the historic Fort Jefferson, these subtropical Islands offer a curious attraction that appeals to history lovers, and marine nature lovers alike.
About 70 miles west of Key West, the Dry Tortugas sit in a critical location that has been an important factor in their historical significance. In the era of European colonization of the Americas and Caribbean, the waters near the keys served as important shipping lanes for Spanish merchants and explorers. During the mid 19th century, the American government was interested in securing and fortifying the lucrative shipping lanes that ran through the waters that connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Between work began on Fort Jefferson in 1846, but due to logistical difficulties (brought on largely due to the Civil War), the project was not completed until 1875. Even after construction ceased, the fortress was never properly completed due to concerns about the structural integrity of the structures foundation. Nowadays, the fort has since been decommissioned, and serves as a museum open to the public, but only accessible by taking a ferry or private boat from Key West.
The park offers several unique and exciting attractions that guests can partake in. Of course one of the most obvious things to do at the park is to explore Fort Jefferson on Garden Key. Despite having never been finished, the structure is the largest all masonry fort ever built in the United States and is a generally impressive piece of architecture. The fort boasts over 2,000 arches and is quite pleasing to the eye. The large scale of the fortress means that you’ll have a lot of looking around to do before you’ve seen it all. When you’re done exploring the fort, you can move on to some of the other activities that Garden Key has to offer. An activity that is especially popular with visitors is snorkeling around the island. The various shipwrecks, dock ruins and hot spots for marine life around the island provide for some of the best snorkeling in Florida. Hiking around the rest of the island is also popular, and camping reservations can be made by those who are interested in an overnight trip. One of the attractions that sounded awesome to me was nighttime stargazing. The remote location of the park means that there is minimal light pollution, allowing for gorgeous night skies that are contrasted by smooth, tropical waters and historic architecture.
Another popular destination in the park is Loggerhead Key. Loggerhead Key is smaller than Garden Key, but is home to the Loggerhead Lighthouse, a popular and interesting attraction. Like Garden Key, the island also offers excellent locations to snorkel, sail, kayak or swim. If you own a private boat, or are able to charter one, sailing around these keys on your own makes for a unique and exciting adventure.
All in all, the Dry Tortugas make for an fine adventure destination. Whether your into sailing, marine life, history or just love to soak up tropical sun, the Dry Tortugas will likely have something you’ll love. Personally, I hope I am able to get the chance to visit this park and experience all that the islands have to offer for myself.