Mysteries of the Haunted Dry Tortugas
As you approach the Dry Tortugas, a massive hexagonal structure looms on the horizon, its weathered brick walls rising from the turquoise waters like a forgotten giant. This is Fort Jefferson, an unfinished behemoth that stands as a testament to 19th-century American ambition and engineering prowess.
The Dry Tortugas are a group of small keys (or islands) located in the Gulf of Mexico only 30 miles off Cuba and 70 miles from Key West. It's managed by the National Park Service and rangers live full time on site. This may be the most unique of the American National Parks. This tropical paradise seems idyllic until you add in the purpose and history of Fort Jefferson. It's not surprising that ghostly legends have persisted since the Civil War. Let's step onto shore and walk into the cool shade of the fort to find some ghosts.
Grab your Free Abandoned Places Guide
Sign up for the Spooky Traveling weekly newsletter and get a free guide to abandoned places in the US you can visit today. The 30 page journal is a downloadable pdf with over 15 locations discussed!
A Fortress Frozen in Time
Constructed with over 16 million bricks, Fort Jefferson is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. Its imposing walls, stretching across 16 acres of Garden Key, seem to whisper tales of a bygone era. As you step onto the island, you can almost hear the echoes of countless laborers, soldiers, and prisoners who once called this remote outpost home.
The fort's construction began in 1846, driven by the strategic importance of controlling the shipping lanes through the Gulf of Mexico. For nearly 30 years, work continued on this massive project, but like many grand dreams, it was never fully realized. The fort stands frozen in time, an incomplete masterpiece that now guards secrets instead of shipping routes
Shadows of the Civil War
As you explore the fort's casemates and gun rooms, you'll feel the weight of history pressing in around you. The thick walls, designed to house 450 cannons, now stand silent, their embrasures empty save for the occasional nesting bird. In the echoing corridors, you might catch a whisper of the fort's most infamous residents – the Lincoln assassination conspirators, including Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was imprisoned here after the Civil War. Some say his ghost still lingers within the fort walls where he treated feverish soldiers sick during the fort's yellow fever epidemics.
Shipwrecks and Sunken Treasures
But Fort Jefferson isn't the only guardian of secrets in the Dry Tortugas. The surrounding waters are a veritable graveyard of ships, with over 200 wrecks dating back to the 1600s lurking beneath the waves. These underwater ruins tell tales of ill-fated voyages, cursed treasures, and phantom vessels that still haunt the imaginations of visitors and locals alike.
As night falls, the isolation of the Dry Tortugas becomes palpable. Seventy miles from Key West, this remote outpost offers a rare chance to experience true wilderness. The eight primitive campsites near Fort Jefferson provide a unique opportunity to sleep under a canopy of stars, unmarred by light pollution. As you lie in your tent, the gentle lapping of waves against the shore might be punctuated by the eerie calls of nocturnal birds.
Nature's Eerie Wonders
Dawn brings new wonders. A short boat ride takes you to Loggerhead Key, home to the park's highest point and a lonely lighthouse that has stood sentinel since 1858. The isolation here is even more profound, with the lighthouse keeper's quarters standing empty, a reminder of a solitary life few can imagine today.
Nearby, Bush Key comes alive with a cacophony of screeches and caws. This small island hosts the only regular U.S. nesting site of sooty terns, earning it the nickname “The Island of 100,000 Screaming Souls”. The sight and sound of these seabirds filling the sky is both awe-inspiring and slightly unnerving, a reminder of nature's raw power.
Photo by Dominic Sherony / CC 2.0
As you explore the Dry Tortugas, you'll understand why they earned their name. Despite being surrounded by water, fresh water is scarce here, adding to the island's mystique. This scarcity shaped the history of the area, from the early mariners who gave the islands their name to the soldiers and prisoners who struggled to survive at Fort Jefferson.
From the unfinished fortress to the teeming bird colonies, from shipwrecks to star-filled skies, this remote paradise offers a glimpse into a world both wild and touched by human ambition. As you leave, you'll carry with you the echoes of countless stories, some told, many still waiting to be discovered in this isolated, untamed corner of the world.
Ghosts of Garden Key
As you approach Fort Jefferson, the massive brick fortress looms on the horizon, a silent sentinel guarding the secrets of the past. The ghosts of the Civil War seem to whisper on the salty breeze, inviting you to uncover the eerie history of this remote island prison.
Photo by Natgsimons / CC 4.0
Keep your senses alert for unexplained phenomena as you explore the fort's dark corridors and damp cells. Visitors have reported feeling sudden cold spots and hearing phantom footsteps echoing through empty rooms. The ghostly figures of Union soldiers have been glimpsed patrolling the ramparts, forever on guard against unseen enemies.
When night falls, the beaches of Garden Key take on an otherworldly atmosphere. Under the moon's glow, some claim to have seen the shimmering forms of long-dead prisoners pacing the shoreline, perhaps still yearning for freedom. Others speak of spectral lights dancing over the waves, believed by some to be the spirits of shipwrecked sailors.
But it's not just human ghosts that haunt these islands. Local legend speaks of the Tortugas Turtle Spirits – ancient guardians of the sea said to appear as ghostly sea turtles gliding through the moonlit waters. Some believe these spirits protect the park's rich marine life and may even guide lost boats to safety.
Visiting Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas
For the adventurous soul seeking a brush with the supernatural, getting to Dry Tortugas is an adventure in itself. You can choose between a seaplane ride that offers breathtaking aerial views or a more leisurely boat journey. Both options promise to transport you to another world, where the veil between past and present feels remarkably thin.
A few years ago, I ventured out to the Dry Tortugas even though I am not a beach person. But I love the Florida Keys and this sounded like a great adventure plus ghosts! I opted for the day trip because it was May and crazy hot. Lunch and drinks were provided. I snorkeled, wandered around the property, and loved every minute of it. There were definitely very strange places in the fort. Corners where the shadows were so deep it looked like they went on forever. It felt like something was lurking just out of sight.
If ghost hunting is your goal, plan your visit during the quieter winter months when crowds are thinner and the atmosphere more conducive to spectral encounters. The park's dark skies make it an ideal spot for stargazing, adding to the otherworldly ambiance. For wildlife enthusiasts, spring brings nesting season for sooty terns, while summer and fall offer the best chances to spot sea turtles.
When packing for your supernatural island adventure, don't forget the essentials. Bring a good flashlight for exploring dark corners, a camera to capture any unexplained phenomena and a journal to record your experiences. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for traversing the fort's uneven surfaces. And of course, pack an open mind – you never know what ghostly encounters await in this remote paradise.
You can stay overnight (primitive tent camping) or visit for the day. You must pack in and pack out all your water and food. There are no convenience stores or restaurants for food and supplies. There are composting toilets available on the island but no running water. You have to be self-sufficient. If all of this still sounds like fun (uh yeah sign me up!) make sure you book your reservation months in advance as there are only a handful of camping sites. Also, be aware that hurricane season is from June to November and the Dry Tortugas get hit regularly with nasty weather.
As you wander through Fort Jefferson's haunted halls and moonlit beaches, remember that the true magic of Dry Tortugas lies in its ability to transport you to another time. Whether you encounter actual ghosts or simply feel the weight of history pressing in around you, this isolated outpost promises an unforgettable journey into America's spectral past.
Have you been to the Fort Jefferson or the Dry Tortugas? I would love to see how your experience compares to mine. It was one of my most memorable trips ever. Share your story in the Facebook group or email me!
Looking for more fun ideas for weekend getaways in Florida? Check out my friend Taima's blog for ideas. You can't go wrong with her recommendations!
