Camping is simple once you arrive, but transportation is the hard part.
Garden Key camping is primitive and popular. The transportation rules are what make planning different from a normal campground.
NPS says the ferry is limited to 10 camping passengers per day and recommends booking months ahead in busy periods.
NPS says the seaplane does not transport campers.
Private vessels must check in and follow designated anchoring requirements.
Individual campsites
NPS says individual campsites are first come, first served. Group campsite arrangements are different and should be checked in current NPS reservation guidance.
Bring everything
The park has no normal visitor food, drinking water or supply service. Campers need to plan for water, food, shelter, sun protection, waste and everything else required for the stay.
Private-boat camping logistics
NPS instructs private vessels to check in with a ranger at Garden Key. Overnight anchoring is allowed only in the designated area within one nautical mile of the Fort Jefferson harbor light and is not permitted elsewhere in the park.
Could a charter transport campers?
That depends on the operator's permit, vessel, cargo, schedule and service structure. Explore Dry Tortugas should not promise camping transport unless the specific operator has agreed to offer it. Instead, the site can collect an inquiry and match the traveler with a provider who can legally and practically handle the request.