It holds Fort Jefferson, the largest brick fortress in the western hemisphere, prison of the doctor who treated Lincoln's assassin
Area
262 km²
Protection category
IUCN II
Parque nacional —
Designated in
1992
Declared in 1992, Dry Tortugas holds Fort Jefferson, the largest brick fortress in the western hemisphere, built from 1846 to guard the Gulf of Mexico shipping route but never fully finished or used in battle. During the American Civil War it served as a military prison, and among its most celebrated inmates was Dr Samuel Mudd, convicted of having set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth, President Abraham Lincoln's assassin, without reporting him to the authorities.
Location
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4 dive sites within 300 km are also shown.
Dry Tortugas: 65 documented species
Mammals8Birds7Reptiles3Cartilaginous fish
Flora and ecosystems
Ecosystems found in the United States, where Dry Tortugas lies.
DesertTemperate forestTundra / polarWetland
Experiences in this park
Diving and snorkellingBirdwatching
Nearby dive sites
Where can I dive near here?
149 km away
232 km away
255 km away
Wildlife you can see now
What is worth looking out for this month in the United States?
Now is a good time: Urban bat colony under Congress Avenue Bridge (March to November (peak in summer))
Similar parks
Which other parks are like this one?
Same country: United States
Same country: United States
Same country: United States
Same country: United States
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about this park.
United States
