Dry Tortugas National Park is an archipelago of seven reef islands located around 65 miles southwest of Key West. They were so named by explorer Ponce de Leon due to the number of turtles (tortuga meaning turtle in Spanish) found on the islands. The "dry" part was added later, referring to the lack of fresh water on the islands. One of them, Garden Key, is home to the 19th-century Fort Jefferson, which was built by the U.S. government to protect and control the Gulf of Mexico shipping channel. The fort operated as a prison for Union deserters during the Civil War and also housed Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was arrested as a co-conspirator in Abraham Lincoln's assassination. In 1992, George Bush changed the status of the site from the Fort Jefferson National Monument to the current park run by the National Park Service.
Soft sand beaches and wonderful opportunities for snorkeling also add to the allure of the park. Catamaran Boat Excursions to the Dry Tortugas, which include snorkeling and snorkeling equipment, as well as lunch, leave from Key West.
Address: 40001 SR-9336, Homestead, Florida
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