Best Time to Visit Dry Tortugas National Park
The best months to visit Dry Tortugas National Park are January, February and November — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. May is the crowd peak (8,643 monthly visits); October is quietest at 57% of peak.
- Seasonal Closure: Bush Key (Park Closure)
- Sections of moat wall closed until Winter 2026 (Park Closure)
- Current Alerts and Conditions (Park Closure)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Dry Tortugas month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Best window | 6,992 | 81% | 74°F / 65°F | 2.4″ | 10.8h |
| February | Best window | 6,443 | 75% | 76°F / 66°F | 1.7″ | 11.3h |
| March | Peak crowds | 7,850 | 91% | 79°F / 68°F | 2.1″ | 12h |
| April | Peak crowds | 7,835 | 91% | 83°F / 71°F | 2.6″ | 12.7h |
| May | Peak crowds | 8,643 | 100% | 86°F / 75°F | 2.0″ | 13.3h |
| June | Peak crowds | 8,091 | 94% | 89°F / 77°F | 4.3″ | 13.7h |
| July | Peak crowds | 7,445 | 86% | 91°F / 78°F | 2.2″ | 13.5h |
| August | Peak crowds | 6,431 | 74% | 91°F / 79°F | 4.3″ | 13h |
| September | Shoulder | 5,755 | 67% | 89°F / 78°F | 7.2″ | 12.3h |
| October | Shoulder | 4,965 | 57% | 85°F / 76°F | 4.7″ | 11.6h |
| November | Best window | 6,410 | 74% | 79°F / 71°F | 1.9″ | 11h |
| December | Peak crowds | 7,302 | 84% | 76°F / 67°F | 2.4″ | 10.6h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station DRY TORTUGAS, FL US (0 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Dry Tortugas each year
Dry Tortugas National Park had 89,355 recreation visits in 2025, 5% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2025, with 89,355. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 84,162 visits a year, which makes it the 9th least-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 89,355 | +5% |
| 2024 | 84,873 | +1% |
| 2023 | 84,285 | +7% |
| 2022 | 78,488 | −6% |
| 2021 | 83,817 | +73% |
| 2020 | 48,543 | −39% |
| 2019 | 79,200 | +39% |
| 2018 | 56,810 | +5% |
| 2017 | 54,281 | −26% |
| 2016 | 73,661 | +4% |
| 2015 | 70,862 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Dry Tortugas in January
Computed from January's weather normals — Dry Tortugas's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Packable rain jacket — 2.4″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Dry Tortugas?
January, February and November rank best for Dry Tortugas on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Dry Tortugas?
May: an average of 8,643 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is October, at 57% of the May peak.
When is Dry Tortugas least crowded with decent conditions?
October. It is the park's quietest month (57% of the May peak, 4,965 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Dry Tortugas per year?
Dry Tortugas National Park had 89,355 recreation visits in 2025, 5% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2025, with 89,355. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 84,162 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Dry Tortugas through the year?
The warmest month is August, with average highs of 91°F. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 65°F. The wettest month is September, with 7.2″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, DRY TORTUGAS, FL US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Dry Tortugas ranks against all 63 parks in January, February and November.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks