As of today, April 3, Dry Tortugas National Park will close all islands in the park to public access until further notice. Visitor programs, concession tours, and the campground were closed previously.
Officials of the Dry Tortugas National Park took action in response to guidance from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Safer at Home Executive Order issued April 1, to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Park waters remain accessible to the public for recreational use in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance, in addition to entry fees being waived for visitors. Garden Key Harbor and Bird Key Harbor also remain open for boats to anchor.
If an emergency occurs and land access is required, visitors should first contact the park by radio, hailing “National Park Service, Dry Tortugas National Park” on VHF Channel 16 and declare the nature of the emergency, so the park staff may appropriately prepare to respond to the emergency.
The Dry Tortugas National Park will notify the public when it resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels. As services are limited, the National Park Service urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safer and healthier. The NPS also encourages people to take advantage of the many digital tools available to explore Dry Tortugas National Park, including videos on the park website.
