Camping overnight at Dry Tortugas can be an incredibly rewarding experience – made better with proper preparation and packing! While it may be the closest you can come to spending the night on a remote tropical island, some amenities are still available. We’ve camped at Dry Tortugas multiple times, in January and in July, and knowing what you can – and can’t – take with you to the National Park will ensure you get to spend your time exploring the historic island, rather than trying to McGyver your way through an unexpected situation.
Planning to Camp at Dry Tortugas
Traveling to Dry Tortugas via Yankee Freedom
Dry Tortugas National Park does not require a reservation or permit in order to camp on the island. However, unless you own your own boat, the only way to camp on Dry Tortugas is to book passage on the Yankee Freedom III which only takes a limited number of campers aboard. Most of the restrictions related to what you can and cannot take to Dry Tortugas are the direct result of arriving there via this high-speed catamaran.
Each camper is allowed up to 60lbs of gear, exclusive of water; I’ve never had any of my gear weighed , but it’s highly unlikely you’d hit that threshold anyway.
Because you’ll be arriving by boat and the crew of Yankee Freedom will be loading and unloading your gear, you need to keep three things in mind:
- You cannot bring propane, gas or other liquid-fuel style camping-style stoves onboard the boat.
- Your belongings will be placed where water-spray is likely.
- Your items need to be secured in totes, containers or bags.
The Yankee Freedom III has a storage bin where they put backpacks and soft-sided gear to keep it dry, but it is generally up to you to ensure your items are packed in such a way that they don’t get wet.
Wrapping all your belongings up in garbage bags is the least expensive option, but we recommend you use totes. Why? Because the island is also home to a number of Spanish rats, which have been known to delight in chewing through unprotected gear during their nesting season (they’ll leave you alone, just maybe not your food). Hard-sided containers are definitely the way to go. We use two 45L Rubbermaid totes when packing for Dry Tortugas; one for food/kitchen and the other for sundries.
The Yankee Freedom National Park Ferry limits each camper to one storage bin/tote with lid, one duffel, backpack or bundle of camping gear fastened together (this is where the garbage bag can come in handy to keep this dry), and 1 hard sided cooler.
What is Available on Dry Tortugas
Though it may feel (in a good way!) that you’re miles from civilization, you still have access to a variety of amenities.
When the boat is docked (roughly between 10am and 2:45pm) you have access to potable water (fill up your water bottle!), hot coffee, restrooms, fresh-water rinse showers (no soaping up!) and the ability to purchase ice, snacks, and/or lunch.
I truly enjoy camp cooking, but you can also purchase snacks, drinks, and sandwiches as well as hot food items like pizza on the boat. On our last trip, the boat served make-you-own sandwiches (with a variety of fillings from hummus, PB&J, deli meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes and – my personal favorite – pickled banana peppers), fresh fruit, potato salad, chips and pretzels, soda, and cookies.
You can also purchase any forgotten essentials, like sunscreen and beach-towels for a premium. Most importantly, you can buy fresh bags of ice for your food or catch of the day throughout your entire camping trip. Cash or card accepted.
Once the boat departs, you’ll have access to the camper only restrooms near the campground. Each of the four compost toilets have real toilet seats, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. They’re also cleaned daily by the park volunteers.
How Camping on Dry Tortugas is Unique
The campsites at Dry Tortugas are furnished much like any other front country National Park campground: each has a picnic table and a grill. In that sense, it’s a lot of like car camping. Unlike car camping, however, you are restricted in the amount of gear you are able to take on board the ferry, and in that sense it’s a bit more like backpacking.
If you’re new to camping, the remoteness of this national park should absolutely not dissuade you from camping on Dry Tortugas! In fact, Dry Tortugas National Park offers the perfect introduction for getting off the grid while still having enough amenities available that you’ll never find yourself in trouble.
There are a few key differences to keep in mind that will impact what you pack. You’ll want to take:
- a tent, preferably free standing. Hammock camping is prohibited on the island, as is tying anything (rope, tarp, etc) to a tree.
- self-lighting charcoal (or Sterno cans) if you want a hot meal. Remember no gas canisters or lighter fluid on board the ferry, and no wood fires allowed on the island.
- a real pillow. There is absolutely no reason to forgo a real pillow since you only have to carry it a few yards from the boat to the campsite.
Of course, at Road Trip Addict its easy to assume you plan to road trip through the Florida Keys with all your car camping gear in tow, but if you’re planning to fly and still want to camp (or haven’t decided if camping is for you), no worries! Camping Florida Keys offers camping equipment rental. Fair disclosure, I have not used them personally, but I’ve seen numerous campsites use their rental gear every time I’ve been there. Before I realized they were rentals, I couldn’t understand why every other person seemed to have the same tent!
Complete Packing List for a Dry Tortugas Camping Trip
Think of your packing list for Dry Tortugas as belonging to these discrete categories: sleep system, food prep, clothing/attire, day-trip essentials, toiletries, and personal items. The specific items you want to take within those categories will vary according to your tastes and preferences, but you need to ensure you have all those categories covered.
Sleep System
This section is essentially your “camping gear” – the tent and everything that goes with it to comfortably spend the night outside. You’ll want some form of:
- tent
- tent pad
- sleeping bag
- sleeping pad
- pillow
- headlamp and/or lantern
- camp chair (optional; there are several picnic tables scattered around beyond the campsites otherwise)
Food Preparation
Your primary method for cooking a hot meal while camping at Dry Tortugas is to use the charcoal grill located within your campsite. This will inform the rest of the decisions you make regarding camp kitchen and menus. We like to use a combination of disposable grill trays and aluminum foil to grill everything from fish to potatoes. Other great grilling options are the classic hotdogs and hamburgers. Of course, no one requires you to cook while camping. There is no shame in a good ol’ PB&J!
- self-lighting charcoal
- matches
- disposable grill trays
- aluminum foil
- pot or kettle for boiling water (optional, if you consider hot coffee or tea in the morning optional!)
- hard sided cooler
- ice
- plates/bowls/cups
- eating utensils
- cutting board (optional)
- sharp knife (optional)
- food (even if you are planning to purchase lunches on board the ferry each day, pack extra food in case weather prevents the boat from departing and docking as planned)
Clothing & Attire
You will need less clothing than you think, but don’t forget to pack for a variety of weather conditions. The first night I spent at Dry Tortugas was in July, it was so hot we slept on a mat under the stars just to feel the cross-breeze. The next night a windstorm blew through and battered the tent all night. On a return camping trip in January, it was so cold at night I bundled up in a sleeping rated for 15°F. Conditions vary.
There can be a lot of sun exposure and minimal shade during the heat of the day, so determine your level of coverage for breathability and UV protection accordingly. Cool breezes and the spectacular night sky makes warmer layers desirable for times when the temperature dips.
Check the weather forecast in the week and days leading up to your departure. Don’t let bad planning ruin your trip. You do not have to carry all your gear on your shoulders, so there is literally no excuse not to pack for unexpected weather.
- an outfit suitable for walking around in and sitting outside (whether shorts and a t-shirt, a long, flowy sundress, or anything in between)
- warm outer layer (microfleece or hoodie in summer; jacket or heavier fleece in winter)
- pair of long pants or leggings (a lighter pair in summer; a heavier pair in winter)
- comfortable walking shoes
- sunglasses
- hat
Day-Trip Essentials
What you need to bring with you, either for the day or overnight, will partially depend on your intended activities. Take your photography gear if you’re into photography; fishing gear if you want to fish; etc. Most people will want to bring:
- swimsuit
- towel
- sand or beach blanket
- camera and/or binoculars (the island is excellent for birding)
- snorkel gear (if you don’t own snorkel gear, a rental is included in your ferry passage)
Toiletries
Dry Tortugas National Park is an island located in west of the Florida Keys. Expect to be self-sufficient when it comes to treating any minor injuries (for more serious injuries, there are rangers on site, but they aren’t doling out Tylenol for headaches). Composting toilets are located in the campground when the ferry is not docked. There is no water available on the island, other than what you bring and what you refill from the ferry.
- reef-safe sunscreen
- bug repellent (mosquitos are not really a problem, but
- hand sanitizer
- first-aid kit (bandages, antibacterial, aloe, pain relief, dramamine or motion sickness pills in case of rough seas)
- personal hygiene items
Personal Items
- refillable water bottle
- portable battery charger for camera, phone or other electronics (there is no cell service or wifi within the park)
- your National Park passport or other journal if you collect NPS stamps (there are stamps inside the visitor center!)
- your America the Beautiful National Park Pass
Have you spent the night at Dry Tortugas before or have a question about what to bring on an upcoming camping trip? Let us know!
2 Comments
I am looking for food recommendations for a family of 4 who is flying into Keys. We will be in condo for 3 days prior to camping. Also looking for recommendations of ways to pack and where to buy tubs when we get there. Is there paid storage nearby for items we may not need?
There is a luggage service at the ferry terminal – Paradise Porters – where you can pay to have extra luggage stored. We’ve been fortunate to have no issues leaving our surplus (non “valuable”) items in our vehicle. There are several hardware stores on the island to purchase totes. Ace Hardware is the closest, and there’s also a Home Depot.