Discover the 14 Most Fascinating Fun Facts About Dry Tortugas National Park!

1. Pirate's Paradise: Traveling to the Park

Ahoy, mateys! If ye be seekin' adventure on the high seas, Dry Tortugas National Park be yer treasure trove: This scallywag hotspot, located 70 miles west of Key West, is only accessible by authorized maritime riggings like the Yankee Freedom Ferry, private boats with a free permit, or even seaplanes for the true sky pirate! Just remember to grab your National Park Service contract or special permit, lest ye be marked for Davy Jones' Locker!
Source => npplan.com

2. Fort Jefferson: The Brick Party

If bricks could talk, Fort Jefferson would definitely be the life of the party: Dry Tortugas National Park features the largest brick masonry structure in the Americas, boasting over 16 million bricks and spanning a whopping 16 acres! Designed as a colossal dance floor for soldiers back in 1846, it actually protected one of the busiest shipping channels in the United States and doubled as a military prison during the Civil War - talk about multitasking! Today, you can meander through the rustic fort and soak up its rich history via guided tours and exhibits.
Source => ana-usa.com

Dive into an underwater paradise at Biscayne National Park, where 95% of its massive 172,000 acres is submerged! Explore vibrant corals, mingle with 500+ species of fish, and even swim with sea turtles and nurse sharks for a truly jaw-some aquatic adventure. 🐠🐢🦈

=> Fun Facts about Biscayne-National-Park

3. Exclusive Bird Club: Avian Partygoers

Why did the chicken cross the Dry Tortugas National Park? To join the exclusive Bird Club, of course! But let's not wing it here, folks: Only about 40 species drop by during winter, 7 species regularly nest, and over 200 species make a showstopping appearance from mid-February to mid-May – quite a squawky affair, but not the largest gathering of bird species in the U.S. national park system.
Source => nps.gov

4. Luxurious Penitentiary: Dr. Mudd & Lincoln

Did you hear about the island getaway where conspirators were sent to enjoy the scenic views and salty sea breeze - but not by choice? Ah, sunny Fort Jefferson: Dry Tortugas National Park was once home to the notorious Dr. Samuel Mudd, convicted of conspiring in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, serving nearly four years in this luxurious penitentiary before being granted a presidential pardon.
Source => nps.gov

5. Civil War Military Prison: No Deserters Allowed

When Fort Jefferson's walls talked, even the most die-hard deserters listened: Dry Tortugas National Park's Fort Jefferson was once a Civil War military prison, housing runaway soldiers and even the notorious Dr. Samuel Mudd, who treated John Wilkes Booth's broken leg. A "Mudd-ly" good turn during a yellow fever outbreak in 1867 led to his pardon by President Andrew Johnson, etching his name in the sands of history.
Source => sah-archipedia.org

6. Fish Condo: Underwater Diversity

In the underwater world, Dry Tortugas National Park reigns supreme as the ultimate condominium for fishy families: housing the third-largest barrier reef system globally, it sprawls over 100 square miles of pristine aquatic real estate. The neighborhood is a cultural melting pot inhabited by doting nurse sharks, eloquent sea turtles, and snazzy snapper-groupers—making it a prime destination for spawning, snorkeling, and scientific study.
Source => bbc.com

7. Pack Your Meals: No Food Available

Finding food in Dry Tortugas National Park might be as hard as getting a seagull to pay for a romantic seaside dinner: The park requires advanced reservations to limit daily visitors and can only be reached by a 20-passenger seaplane ride. Once there, travelers can explore Fort Jefferson and the visitor center but must bring their own meals since no food or drink options are available. Additionally, shell, coral, and artifact collection are prohibited, and drones don't get an invite to this exclusive party as they're not allowed in US National Parks!
Source => keywestseaplanecharters.com

8. Hook Police: Eco-Friendly Fishing

Anglers, beware the Hook Police: Mixing your favorite pastime with some enforced eco-friendly twists, Dry Tortugas National Park permits fishing but only with a Florida saltwater fishing license, "circle" hooks, and a strict no-spearfishing or lobstering policy. And remember, like a truly deserted island, there's no gear or supply shops here, so come prepared with your eco-conscious gear and permits!
Source => nps.gov

9. Elkhorn Coral: Speed Dating Underwater

Hook, line, and sinker: In the underwater world of Dry Tortugas National Park, elkhorn coral prefers speed dating over long-term relationships. This marine Casanova reproduces asexually by fragmentation, breaking off pieces of itself that latch onto new locations and grow into separate colonies. Additionally, these corals are hermaphrodites, adding a whole new level of complexity to their dating game. But despite their reproductive prowess, elkhorn coral populations have faced challenges such as disease and environmental factors since the 1980s, leading scientists to explore the causes and potential remedies for these underwater Romeos and Juliets.
Source => nps.gov

10. Mighty Canons at the Fort

With great power comes great masonry: The Dry Tortugas National Park houses Fort Jefferson, a gargantuan brick behemoth, which not only rules as the largest masonry structure in the western hemisphere but also harbors six of a scarce twenty-five, 25-ton Rodman cannons known to mankind, offering visitors the chance to gawk at these magnificent historical artillery and take a cannonball run through time.
Source => drytortugas.com

11. Turtle Racing: Nesting Site Champions

Whoever said "slow and steady wins the race" must have been talking about the turtles at Dry Tortugas National Park: This park happens to be the most active turtle nesting site in the Florida Keys, and is home to loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles, all of which are listed as threatened or endangered species. Park biologists have been keeping a close eye on these hard-shelled speedsters since 1980, so remember to keep your distance and admire from afar!
Source => nps.gov

12. Davy Jones' Underwater Party: Snorkel & Dive

Ever wonder what it feels like to stroll around Davy Jones' locker while doing the Macarena with an octopus? Dry Tortugas National Park's underwater paradise has got you covered: With vibrant coral reefs, historic shipwrecks, and an array of marine creatures like lobster conga lines and fish raves, it's the ultimate snorkeling or diving experience - just remember not to touch the treasured coral, reef fish, or cultural artifacts, and watch out for the underwater bouncers like fire coral, jellyfish, sea urchins, and venomous lionfish.
Source => nps.gov

13. Coral Architects: Threats and Conservation

Who says it's difficult to coral your thoughts? Behold the underwater architects of Dry Tortugas National Park: Home to nine threatened species of coral, including the industrious Elkhorn coral and the speedy Staghorn coral, facing challenges like disease, hurricanes, bleaching, and meddling humans. But fear not, dear reader: the park's biologists keep a sharp eye on their underwater cities, measuring the health and size of coral colonies while keeping tabs on the environment, ensuring the reef's future remains as dazzling as its present.
Source => nps.gov

14. Submerged Discoveries: Hospital & Cemetery Remains

When life gives you submerged islands, make legendary discoveries: Archeologists have uncovered a 19th-century quarantine hospital and cemetery on an underwater island within Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida, revealing graves of US soldiers and laborers stationed at Fort Jefferson, including one John Greer, who peacefully rests beneath a greywacke slab since November 1861.
Source => theguardian.com