RV Key West is also in town. The challenges: There’s a two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride. You'll find everything from Spanish galleons to World War II-era freighters sunk by marauding German U-boats in local waters. 2 23 May 2019. by LauraRW are required for all commercial filming within the Dry Tortugas National Park. So I turned around and headed back toward the Long Key, which guards Fort Jefferson's southeastern approaches. The majority of activities people enjoy at this park revolve around the water. Crystal-clear blue water and coral reefs are well-known in the area. Seven day advance notice required to guarantee availability. The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. Comparable to driving a truck. If you arrive at the park with the daily commercial ferry, you will have a spot to camp. The following links provide additional information about the required permits at the park. Trailers for all types of towing vehicles, including SUVs and pickups. RV Rental Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, FL, RV Rental Collier-Seminole State Park, FL, RV Rental J N Darling National Wildlife Refuge, FL, RV Rental Big Cypress National Preserve, FL, RV Rental John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, FL. Dry Tortugas National Park is an island located about 70 miles to the west of Key West, FL. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. fishing, snorkeling, diving etc.) Day use is permitted, but as everywhere else in the park, you can take nothing and leave only footprints. You could certainly sleep without a tent, as there are few bugs on the Dry Tortugas. The Ferry has a limited number of campers they can carry daily, so book early. Camping at Garden Key is an incredible experience with amazing star gazing, snorkeling, sunsets, and more! Unlike other areas in the Florida Keys, the corals here are in shallow water, sometimes just three or four feet of water. On average, you can expect to pay between $75 and $150 per night to rent most small trailers and campervans. We do not turn away any campers when they arrive at Garden Key. The Dry Tortugas are at their very best once the ferry crowds have left and there are very few people on the island. 1 21 December 2019. by spammie Snorkeling. Larger trailers and motorhomes could cost $100 to $250 per night. A great way to transform average cars into adventure cars. On a clear day, you can still see the ship's large, six-foot, four-blade propeller just below the surface. All of our gear is inspected, professionally laundered, and disinfected between each use. Renting an RV is an affordable way to get all the benefits of RV travel without the maintenance and overhead of ownership. I dropped my anchor in a spot of sand, hoisted my dive flag, and then set off to explore underwater. The Park Service provides a charcoal grill and dry land, but campers must bring their own food, water and anything else they may need during their one- to three-day stay at $3 a night. Mid-size trailers and motorhomes usually sleep 4-8. (No water, hence the "Dry" in the name, and if there is no water there are few bugs.) Camping at Fort Jefferson is PRIMITIVE CAMPING! With a rental, you can book the perfect rig for any trip just like you would a car or hotel. While there is a small campground at Dry Tortugas National Park, is it for tent camping only. They will talk your head off but are both super friendly and informative. How bold, I thought, since these "bugs" usually flee at the first sight of man. View our privacy policy. Already own an RV? Designated campsites are on a first come first served basis with an overflow area available if needed. Camping Florida Keys is a locally owned and operated small business in Key West, FL. Give us a call to learn about local or military discounts and customization. Camping at Dry Tortugas National Park off the Florida Keys takes some time, money and effort, but, wow, does it pay off. Are there RV rentals with unlimited mileage? Camp in an RV near Key West and enjoy your time in the Florida Keys! Las Tortugas was indeed the land of The Turtles. It’s also a great way to try out the lifestyle and different types of rigs before you take the plunge and buy your own. You’ll be able to see if there is an extra deposit or fee for pets before you request a booking. Snorkeling is one popular activity. Campsites have picnic tables and grills. Learn more in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy. Due to the limited number of spots on the ferry, we recommend booking your trip months in advance, especially during the winter holidays and winter season that tends to be busier, as visitors from northern chilly climates head to south Florida sunshine. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to our use of cookies. It also welcomes both long and short-term stays. This must be done before recreating within the park (i.e. Overnight anchoring is not permitted at any other location in Dry Tortugas National Park. The seaplane does not offer transport for campers. Picnic facilities are also found locally. Ponce de Leon had named this place appropriately. Get answers to your questions about Dry Tortugas National... Dry Tortugas National Park Holiday Rentals, Dry Tortugas National Park Holiday Packages, Weather/Camping To Fulfill One Of My Last Wishes, Can trip to fort Jackson be safe June 10th bevat of hurriy C. Approximately how many people are there on a given day? Camping at Dry Tortugas National Park: The harbor light was built in 1876. Ferry passengers wishing to camp at Dry Tortugas National Park must coordinate and book their camping through the Yankee Freedom Ferry. Gas camping stoves or charcoal briquettes placed in campsite BBQ units are the only fires allowed. Many activities can be enjoyed here, mostly water-based. This may allow you more up-close views of some of the sea life. Group Campsite Reservation (10-20 people) A group site is available for 10-20 people and must be reserved in advance. Each RV owner can choose whether to offer unlimited miles on their vehicles. The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, Floridians' Favorites and readers' comments do not necessarily represent those of VISIT FLORIDA. There is one near the fort, though the others can more easily be seen by boat. Remains of shipwrecks can be spotted, as well. Loves posing for Instagram. Camping at the Dry Tortugas is very popular. All campers, once they arrive, will be guaranteed a place to camp. We believe the best the keys have to offer is through camping experiences at our National and State Parks. Dry Tortugas National Park. All trash and garbage must be carried out upon departure. You’ll be able to see if unlimited mileage is an option on any listing you check out. But as I paddled toward the distant island, I decided that it would be better not to be caught in the open ocean in such a small boat should the seas turn uncooperative. The Shipwreck Treasure Museum showcases artifacts that have been found in shipwrecks that occurred in local waters. Cable and WiFi are also available here, and you can bring your pets! There are a number of museums to enjoy in Key West. This camp welcomes both short and lengthy stays. It is located about 160 miles southwest of the much larger city of Miami, which is in the far, southeastern part of the state, on the mainland. Living quarters in the front with dedicated space for hauling motorcycles or other “toys” in the back. You should check with the ferry operator for details on what they will transport by calling them at 1-800-634-0939. Then I remembered where I was. Drivers should be comfortable driving bus-sized vehicles and dealing with parking limitations. The saltwater seeping into my snorkel made me thirsty, so I kicked back to my kayak just in time to see a small green sea turtle pop its head above the reef. It also provides cable and WiFi for guests. It is conveniently situated just off of Route 1, so it should be very easy for you to find. Outdoorsy helps protect RV owners and renters with excellent support and insurance options, and a secure platform for listings, communication, and payments. Security, for one. El Mar RV Resort is in Key West and offers some full-hookup and waterfront campsites. Fees paid for transportation via the ferry do not include camping fees. The individual sites can each accommodate up to 3 2-person tents (total of 6 people), and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Special Use Permits are required for special events such as weddings, first-amendment activities, privately owned (not for hire) seaplanes, meetings, group activities of 20 or more and non-profit organization activities, require special use permits. We provide all the gear you need in easily transportable cases. Yes! Tell us where you want to pick up or have your RV delivered, Sort by vehicle type, date, price, and amenities, Learn more about your favorite RV and the best local destinations, Send a request directly to the owner and start preparing for your adventure. This is the starting point of this route that traverses much of the eastern seaboard. Marty and Ron run this and are super helpful. by FredTheCatTravels. The smallest and nimblest of fully enclosed RVs. But fresh water was even more valuable, and I had left mine back on the ferry. You'd be hard pressed to find a better snorkeling wreck than this "greyhound of the sea" that sank during a winter storm in 1907. Bigger rigs often sleep 6-10, some even 12! Tours and services are provided by local vendors. by travel59602017. A must when camping at Dry Tortugas! This allows you to appreciate the clear waters that are common in the area up-close. Many RV owners allow pets in their rentals. (The ferry is … Obtain a free boat permit at Park Headquarters on Garden Key. Campers must be totally self-sufficient. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Designated campsites are on a first come first served basis with an overflow area available if needed. In the days before steam engines, sailors always welcomed fresh meat. The ferry can bring campers and their gear to the Dry Tortugas. If you can drive a truck, you can drive a truck camper. Group Camping. VISIT FLORIDA® is the Official Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation. You will need to look in the Key West area for options for camping with an RV. This site uses cookies to improve your experience, to enhance site security and to show you personalised advertising. As there is so much to do in this area, many people enjoy RV camping near the Dry Tortugas National Park, so you should have no trouble locating any services you may need. No other discounts apply. A pelican diving on a school of fish pinpointed a small coral reef, teeming with life. But as in any open-ocean environment, the currents in the Tortugas can be swift and at times treacherous. Upon arrival, the wheeled carts on the dock can be used to assist in moving your camping gear from your vessel to the campground. It offers pool access and has some waterfront sites. Overnight anchoring is not permitted at any other location in Dry Tortugas National Park. Even on this overcast November afternoon the ferry was packed with tourists from across the United States. For more information on camping click here. Consider renting yours out to bring in some extra income. The following links provide additional information about the required permits at the park. You can also visit the Southernmost Point of the continental US. There are plenty of other reasons though, like roadside assistance, detailed listings, and a wide variety of RVs to choose from. Continue your visit to www.tripadvisor.ca. These make for perfect places to sunbathe, look for shells, take a relaxing walk, or just enjoy a sunset. Rafaela, I am not sure where you could rent a tent. But you must be prepared to camp in this remote location. To assist you in your planning, be sure to review the information on this page to learn more about camping at Dry Tortugas National Park. There are other fun things to do, though, such as wildlife spotting, visiting historic sites, and even watching the night sky, as there is very little light pollution this far out. Groups of 10 or more arriving without a reservation will not receive exclusive use of the group site.