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Dry Tortugas National Park
@drytortugasnps

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Another successful nesting season has come to an end, and Bush Key is now open! Bush Key closes seasonally, from February to September to protect the largest nesting colonies of Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies in the continental United States. We invite visitors to enjoy its pristine natural beaches, but please remember to #RecreateResponsibly and practice Leave No Trace principles. Access to Bush Key is open to foot traffic via the land bridge from Garden Key between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Bush Key changes from sand to coral rubble and footwear is recommended. The walk is just over a mile and takes an average of 45 minutes to walk around the island. Visitors are reminded to stay on sandy beaches and avoid making trails through sensitive island vegetation. Much of this vegetation is still recovering from Hurricane Ian last year. The vegetation provides habitat for more than 80,000 seabirds and helps stabilize the shoreline. Please note that vessel landings, fishing and swimming from the beach are prohibited on Bush Key. Turtle nesting and hatching are active through October. Please stand clear of marked turtle nests and report all sightings to park staff. NPS photo by Jessica Connell Alt text: Black and white birds with long, narrow wings fly over vegetation with a view of a brick fort in the background. #DryTortugas #DryTortugasNationalPark