FL · Southeast · 2026 exact answer
Yankee Freedom ferry at Dry Tortugas: what applies in 2026?
Direct answer
Yankee Freedom ferry - the main public way to reach the park, books out months ahead
Exact conditions
- Status
- Required under the listed conditions
- Applies to
- all visitors
- Place or corridor
- Key West to Garden Key, about 70 miles (113 km) west
- Effective dates
- January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
- Release model
- on sale now
Release detail: Booked directly with the ferry operator at drytortugas.com or 1-800-634-0939. NPS publishes no release date or release time and no fare - it warns only that reservations are limited and sell out months in advance.
Fee detail: The ferry fare is set by the commercial operator, not NPS, and is not published on nps.gov. The $15 entrance fee is bundled into it.
Exceptions and limits
- You can instead arrive by seaplane, by private vessel, or with a permitted tour guide or charter.
- Cars cannot reach the park at all.
Official source
National Park Service · reviewed August 27, 2026
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. ... the ferry is limited to 10 camping passengers per day.
Camping - Dry Tortugas National Park