Garden Key Dock House and Information

Garden Key Dock House and Information is a small information and fee station on the dock where the ferry lands, set at the center of Fort Jefferson's only entrance, the sally port. Dry Tortugas is reached by boat or seaplane, and ferry and seaplane passengers come from Key West. If you're arriving by private vessel, stop here for the park entrance fee; you can also pick up and complete a boat permit here. It's a useful arrival stop, but the fort is where you'll want to spend the time.

The information room is on the west side, with park brochures and boating, diving and fishing information. Tide charts and weather are posted when available, and a marine-band radio is there for required visitor use. That makes this a good place to orient yourself before heading onto the water or through the fort.

On the east side, changing rooms have benches and handrails; the park describes them as accessible and available around the clock. The dockhouse sits at the sally port, so the route from the landing runs straight into the fort. Garden Key is about 14 acres, and Fort Jefferson is one of the country's largest 19th-century forts.