Garden Key Campground

$15.00/night

Show on map 305-242-7700 ever_information@nps.gov

Estimated location

No source publishes exact coordinates for Garden Key Campground. Its map marker is estimated from the surrounding area and can be miles from the actual site — don't navigate to it. Its official page may have the detail needed to find it on the ground.

Overview

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 to learn more about camping at Dry Tortugas National Park.

Camping transportation is limited to private vessel, permitted tour guides, or commercial ferry. Reservations on the Yankee Freedom ferry are limited and sell out months in advance. Once you arrive at Garden Key, camping is first come, first served for all regular sites (up to 6 people). All camping fees are paid on Garden Key and all LARGE groups of 10-20 require an advance reservation with the Park.

A primitive campground is located on Garden Key and is a short walk from the public dock.

Reservations are not accepted for the 6-person sites. All campers, once they arrive, will be guaranteed a place to camp.
The individual sites can each accommodate up to three 2-person tents (total of 6 people), and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
When you arrive:
- Look for a table in the campground with a stenciled number. Only those tables with numbers are assigned to campsites.
If all regular sites are occupied:
- Should you find all eight regular sites occupied, you must share the overflow area with other campers. The overflow area is a grassy area near the regular campsites.
- Tables and grills are provided in overflow sites, but they must be shared with other overflow campers. As campers leave, you may move to a regular site if one becomes available.
  Campers Supply Checklist
- Food and Water: We recommend two gallons of water per person per day (remember the heat). Bring an extra day's supply of food and water in case of ferry cancellations. Bring food items in hard-sided containers for protection from rats and crabs. Posts are available to hang food and trash.
- Shelter: Tent (required), sleeping bag and pad, and strong stakes for the frequent high winds.
- Cooking: Match-light charcoal for campground grills (fuel is not permitted aboard ferries), waterproof matches and lighter, cooking utensils, biodegradable soap, and trash bags.
- Clothing: Cold and warm-weather clothing, rain gear, lightweight long-sleeve shirt and pants for sun and bug protection, wide-brimmed hat.
- Personal Equipment: Medications, first-aid kit, knife, flashlight with spare batteries, snorkel gear, binoculars, sunglasses and sunscreen, insect repellent, and personal items. Private boaters and paddlers require additional safety gear.

Recreation

The beach adjacent to the campground is only feet away from your campsite. Popular activities include fishing, swimming, exploring the Fort and snorkeling.

Natural Features

The campground is located right outside of Fort Jefferson on the shores of The Gulf of America.

Camp site features

Across 9 camp sites:

Largest party: 6 people

Reviews

10 reviews

5 stars

Erika K

Loop:Garden Key

Site:

Reviewed 19 days ago

Best experience ever! When all the day trippers are gone, you are on your own private island. Tip - there is a tote bin outside the restrooms where people put things they don't need to take back with them. That was nice to find.

Melody B

Loop:Garden Key

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Beautiful campground. It was so peaceful. Enjoyed snorkeling, exploring the fort at sunset and stargazing in the evening. It was PERFECT!! The park rangers were friendly and checked on the campers to see if we had everything we needed.

Nathaniel E

Loop:Garden Key

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

This is an epic trip and unlike any other National Park. It is worth it to stay three full nights. The crew of the Yankee Freedom III are awesome and make the stay fun and comfortable.

Christopher S

Loop:Garden Key

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Park Rangers, Marine Police, maintenance workers and Yankee Freedom Captain and staff are all very helpful and friendly. Snorkeling and marine life in and around the coal docks is great! The 3 mile kayak trip to snorkel the reef at Loggerhead Key is well worth the effort. Fishing was very good this trip (my second visit). Bring some frozen shrimp or fresh sardines for better chance at success. Is a special place to camp if you can take the warm, humid air. We planned both of our visits during the full moon. Clear nights are exceptionally bright during a full moon and we were treated to a lunar eclipse this visit. Relaxing on the beach in a chair on a clear night offers exceptional stargazing and satellites can frequently be seen zipping across the night sky.

suliea E

Loop:Garden Key

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

This was our first time visiting The Dry Tortugas. We had a great time exploring the fort. We didn't have time to snorkel due to weather coming in. The only thing I would do differently was not coming in the middle of summer. We met a ranger who was incredibly helpful. I didn't get his name, but he said he had transferred from Texas. We ran into him a few times and he was so kind and answered any and all questions we had. Do yourself a favor and take this trip!!! It was amazing. Bring a battery-operated fan.

Kate M

Loop:Garden Key

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Our reservation was from July 30th to August 3rd for three nights of tent camping. We had read all the rules and restrictions and planned with lists of specific items based on watching You Tube reviews and reading comments in groups on social media. We were prepared with all the proper things. We were not prepared for the absolute beauty and peace of this place. We had visited for the day on the ferry in the past, but honestly there was nothing that could prepare us for the joy and pleasure we experienced on our trip. We got lucky with the weather and even had a full moon. It was mini lobster season so there was a lot of boater campers making it more crowded at night than usual but everyone mostly behaved and stayed quiet. This was truly the best camping experience ever... even with the heat and humidity. The park is mostly water so we exercised the kayak when the bulk of the day trippers were there and it was gorgeous. Bush Key was alive with birds. Loggerhead Key was well worth the 3 mile paddle each way. And just sitting on the water was glorious. If you go, prepare by reading the rules and plan well in advance. There are no creature comforts like fresh water or ac. It's remote and quiet and dark. Perfect! The night sky is unbelievable. Take lots of pictures because you'll want to remember it all.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve