Coastal camping · Florida
Dry Tortugas (Garden Key)
Camp beside a fort on an island 70 miles out to sea
SettingCoastal
StateFlorida
Best seasonWinter & spring
ReserveCamping permit + ferry/seaplane booking (NPS)
Seventy miles west of Key West, reachable only by ferry or seaplane, Garden Key lets you pitch a tent in the shadow of Fort Jefferson on a speck of sand in turquoise water. Snorkel the moat wall, then watch the Milky Way with zero light pollution.
Don’t missFort Jefferson at golden hour
RVs & rigsNo RVs — ferry/seaplane access only; pack in everything (incl. water)
What’s here
- Fort Jefferson
- Snorkeling the moat
- Crystal-clear water
- Pristine dark skies
Reservation windows, fees, and seasonal/road closures change — confirm with the managing agency (Recreation.gov, the state park system, or the forest/BLM office) before you go, and check fire restrictions and pack-it-out rules, especially for free dispersed sites.
Build a trip around a camp like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: