Dry Tortugas camping. Do you know when reservations open?

[CamillaF]

Good day. I would like to camp at Dry Tortugas but it looks like the ferry to go over to the park is always booked full for campers. It looks like they drop all or part of a month at once. Does anyone know what time they do this? Is it the first of the month at midnight eastern? 6am? Anyone with experience will be very helpful.

 

[JaxDad]

I’m sorry I can’t give you an answer, but I’ve seen many similar questions on the TripAdvisor Key West forum. You might want to try there too.

 

[bcla]

Not even sure who does it now. I was supposed to take the fast cat in 2006 but my trip was cancelled due to a storm. I wasn't going to be overnight though. I think the reservations are directly with the transportation company. Are there still any flights in, or is it just a ferry?

 

[CamillaF]

I’m sorry I can’t give you an answer, but I’ve seen many similar questions on the TripAdvisor Key West forum. You might want to try there too.

Thanks I just asked the question on that form as well

 

[CamillaF]

Not even sure who does it now. I was supposed to take the fast cat in 2006 but my trip was cancelled due to a storm. I wasn't going to be overnight though. I think the reservations are directly with the transportation company. Are there still any flights in, or is it just a ferry?

It’s the Yankees freedom. They have day passes but the few people they allow on for camping is sold out over a year ahead, you can’t fly with camp gear. Either figure out how to get one of those few spots or charter a boat. I want to go February of 26 so I got a few months to figure it out.

 

[bcla]

It’s the Yankees freedom. They have day passes but the few people they allow on for camping is sold out over a year ahead, you can’t fly with camp gear. Either figure out how to get one of those few spots or charter a boat. I want to go February of 26 so I got a few months to figure it out.

My reservation was with Sunny Days. I guess they lost the contract when the National Park Service went to a single company.

 

[CamillaF]

Bump. Hoping someone who knows sees this and can answer.

 

[Colleen27]

I don't know, but if you figure it out, please come back and share. That's a bucket list experience for both my 21yo and I, and one that we've talked about doing in the semi-near future (2026 or 27).

 

[CamillaF]

I am going to try my first guess in March 1st at EST midnight. I will update if the next month opened. I looked on February 1st in the evening and most everything was sold out with a few random spots open through April if 2024. Finger crossed I figure it out before February of 25. .

 

[JaxDad]

Have you tried calling them to ask when they drop the schedule updates?

 

[CamillaF]

Have you tried calling them to ask when they drop the schedule updates?

That is brilliant. No I have not. Will do that now.

 

[CamillaF]

Well that was an interesting call. There is no rhyme or reason when the camping reservations open up. The national park service calls them up and tells them to open the camping. They usually open 6months to a year of reservations up on day. There is no rhyme or reason for when they open them up. You just have to check back often.

 

[JaxDad]

Well that was an interesting call. There is no rhyme or reason when the camping reservations open up. The national park service calls them up and tells them to open the camping. They usually open 6months to a year of reservations up on day. There is no rhyme or reason for when they open them up. You just have to check back often.

It’s too bad the system doesn’t allow campers to plan more easily.

I’ve twice spent a full week at Fort Jefferson. My old reserve unit did maintenance work there every summer. I rode in military helicopters to get there-once in a Huey and once in a Blackhawk. It was pretty awesome.