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National Park in Florida, United States
Photo: U.S. National Park Service, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Dry Tortugas National Park is a United States national park that contains a cluster of islands about west of Key West, Florida, on Garden Key.
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Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the United States, was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the nation's gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. During the Civil War, it was used as a Federal prison primarily for Union deserters, though in 1865 three of the Lincoln conspirators were imprisoned within its walls.
8 sites, 1 group site. All sites are first-come, first-served. A primitive campground is located on Garden Key, the same island as Fort Jefferson, and is a short walk from the public dock. Individual sites can each accommodate up to 3 2-person tents (total of 6 people). Should a regular campsite not be available, an overflow area is provided. All campers, once they arrive will be guaranteed a place to camp.
A small National Park Service Gift Shop is available inside Fort Jefferson on Garden Key. It offers a very limited selection of items.
The park is open year round during daylight hours, and is only accessible by boat or seaplane.
Read in the guideThis is a cluster of 7 small islands not connected by causeway to the rest of the Florida Keys. As such the only way to reach them (and travel between them) is by boat or seaplane.
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Key West · Regional · EYW
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