Dry Tortugas National Park: If You’re in the Area, We Say “Go, Go, Go!”
We recently found out about a hidden gem in southern Florida called Dry Tortugas National Park. We would venture that you’ve never heard of it either. Contrary to the most popular national park, Great Smoky Mountains, this one is difficult to get to and surrounded only by water, far from the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge amusements that doubtless make GSM so popular, sad to say.
To get to Dry Tortugas you need to take a ferry from the mainland. The ferry takes several hours and costs over $100. But, before you rule it out – here’s what you’d be missing:
- Seven small islands, coral reefs and other undersea attractions, and nesting areas for a variety of wild birds
- 70 miles west of Key West – you’re able to see the tiny Marquesas Island from the ferry
- 19th century’s largest coastal fort : Fort Jefferson
- Camping onsite
- Home to some of the best snorkeling within a 500 miles range
- Hispanic Heritage site – with some of the most interesting history regarding Ponce de Leon and Fort Jefferson
For more info, check out these sites:
Now, we haven’t been ourselves so don’t take our word as law but if, perhaps we had the option to go, if, say, we were going on vacation to Florida in May and wanted to please our lovely Ukrainian painter girlfriend, if we used to play rugby in college, and maybe had a fascination for all things Cajun, we’d definitely splurge for the trip to Dry Tortugas. Jeff.
