Florida's Dry Tortugas National Park Is A Great Destination For This Scenic Night Activity

With hundreds of millions of visitors flocking to the sunny shores of Florida every year, the state can often feel like an overcrowded beach party. While some of the busiest places, like Everglades National Park, Miami Beach, Disney World, and Key West have their unique charms and attractions, there is something to be said for visiting some of the more remote corners of the Sunshine State. Case in point: Dry Tortugas National Park, one of the best places in all of Florida for the scenic night activity of stargazing.

Dry Tortugas National Park was established in 1935 to preserve Fort Jefferson, a 19th century army fort. The park's size increased in 1983, and again in 1992 to encompass nearby islands and marine areas. While the island has been in consistent use since its discovery in the 1500s by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, Dry Tortugas is today one of the least visited National Parks, averaging about 60,000 visitors per year.

Now, this does not have anything to do with the scenic value of the park. Rather, the lack of crowds has to do with the fact that you can only access the park via ferry, private boat, or seaplane from the luxurious and laid-back Key West, which is only 70 miles away. This remoteness, blended with the amazing scenery and history, should make Dry Tortugas a must for anyone looking to beat the inland summer crowds and experience some truly magnificent stargazing.

While all of the National Parks put in an effort to create what they call "natural lightscapes," there may be none that do it quite as well as Dry Tortugas. Just consider it: you're literally out in the middle of the ocean, camping on the beach next to Fort Jefferson, and the sky is just open above you with unimpeded views of the starry heavens. This can make for a truly unforgettable experience.

The only place to camp overnight on Dry Tortugas is on Garden Key, the main island body of the park. Despite not being a heavily visited park, camping at Dry Tortugas is a premium and spots can sell out months in advance. You can access the island for night camping via the Yankee Freedom Ferry, or if you have access to a private boat or charter. You can also fly in on a seaplane with Key West Seaplane Charters.

Once you've made your camp, you can feel free to explore the abundant wildlife of the park. Be sure to go snorkeling or swimming around the island. With 99% of the park being ocean, Dry Tortugas is a dream for beach lovers. Then, once the sun has set and the pastel sky turns dark, watch as the stars begin to twinkle above and give you one of the best, all-natural light shows you have ever seen.

It would be hard for us to recommend an adventure out to Dry Tortugas National Park without directing your attention to Loggerhead Key. The largest island in the Dry Tortugas archipelago, Loggerhead Key is one of the most remote and fascinating places in Florida. Located 3 miles away from Garden Key and Fort Jefferson, Loggerhead Key is only open for day use. As such, you cannot camp or watch the stars over there, but it is well worth visiting just for sheer fascination.

The island supports a high concentration of native loggerhead sea turtles, hence its name. It is also the location of several shipwrecks, and perhaps the most remote lighthouse in the United States. Access to Loggerhead Key is limited to those willing to paddle or bring their own private boat to the island. Visitors need to stay on marked trails, and are not allowed to visit inside any of the remaining structures.

Dry Tortugas National Park is a fascinating place. It offers a great reprieve from the busy cities and beaches of mainland Florida, is almost entirely made up of ocean, and provides visitors with a truly unique national parks experience. Whether you're looking up at the night sky while camping on Garden Key, or experiencing the untouched nature of Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas is a place that no one should leave off of their National Parks bucket list.