Camping in Dry Tortugas National Park - Our 25th Anniversary

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

We know we're behind on our videos, but we hope you can join us for the premiere of this very special national park that we spent for our 25th anniversary. We will be around to chat and answer any questions you may have as the video premieres. Hope to see some of you then!

[@AmericasParks]

You made it to DT!!! One of our favorites. Glad you also had the opportunity to camp on the island. Like you, would have no problem returning. Really enjoyed this excellent production. Congratulations on 25 years!!!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! The day trip was awesome but the camping made it even better. I remember we watched a favorite national parks list video where you ranked it first. I’d say it’s up there for us too. Really unique and special place.

[@SorgiStories]

Happy Anniversary!! 25 years is incredible. And so is that setting! Yeah, that's a VERY worthy exception. You would pick a boat called the Yankee Freedom. Because Yankees. 🤣 Yeah, save the packed lunch. Makes TOTAL sense. That fort looks NUTS! Smart move for the battery blocks. How could (and impossible) would it be to bring solar-powered battery chargers there? Ocean frisbee. The next Olympic sport? FISHIES! Don't think you could long-jump that dead end? That. Blue. Water. That is the absolute coolest unfinished fort. So cool. And those sunsets and sunrises. INSANE. Save those screen grabs and sell them to postcard companies. 299? Niiiiiice. We'll relocate the Phillie Phanatic during winter to get it to 300 even.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Haha yes this place is awesome. If you ever find yourself in the Keys, even for just the day trip, so worth it. It’s pricey - that’s why we wanted to camp the second time around.

[@adventuresofcandc]

We just visited Dry Tortugas last week on a day trip, it was on my list, my heart was so full just being there, an amazing in the middle of nowhere National Park, my favorite time of day is sunrise, I can only imagine one there 🌅 wonderful video, thank you 😊

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Well, you should go again! - but stay a few nights. We do no regret going back and doing so. The day trip is amazing, but the overnights are something else entirely. I feel you! I am a sunrise person too. I feel like sunrises are earned, and sunsets are for anyone haha!

[@adventuresofcandc]

Haha 😂

[@californiathroughmylens]

Great video, so much good information here and I am jealous of the sunsets!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

They were very special 😁

[@mwpgator]

Awesome video and Thank You So Much! Planning on taking my niece! Very informative, educatioanl, inspiring and peaceful! 🙏🌎 0:07 You're a great husband too! Happy Anniversary you two! 🥂🇺🇸

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It’s a very unique place

[@waterfallmadman]

Happy anniversary! Kudos for surprising Greyhound on the screen adventure. Very cool and beautiful there. Shot at 17:42 was very cool. And seeing all those fish snorkeling. Wow. I do think you should have jumped that moat. Lol.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! I’d come back in a heartbeat. The snorkeling was the best part

[@laurar5435]

Truly enjoyed the overview of your DT camping trip! I'll be heading there soon with a group of Sisters on the Fly women's camping group and your video was a good primer! I like your style and format - thanks!!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! That is awesome. You will all hopefully love it. One of favorite parks by far. If you remember, come back here and let us know what you thought!

[@claramullen]

My husband and I have been enjoying camping at Fort Jefferson for 13 years we go on the ferry and stay the allowed 3night 4days we love it so much. Over the years they have repaired the Fort walls I was so sad when the moat wall started to break apart in place. It is a true Paradise.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Wow, you are living the life! We love it there. I would go all the time too.

[@WhiteTrashTennessee]

Can you skinny dip or sunbath on the island or is there a lot of people?

[@claramullen]

@@WhiteTrashTennessee It is a national park they would not appreciate the skinny dipping as far as sun bathing you can't be nude.

[@kristenwilliams8974]

First happy anniversary! Second, we are heading to Key West for our first time this summer and taking the ferry to Dry Tortugas. Any tips and tricks are greatly appreciated. Loved the video. Thanks for sharing.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

If you’re going on the day trip, your time is really short, and so we suggest reading up on Fort Jefferson beforehand, not doing the provided tour and instead exploring it yourself. It’s a well done tour, and you should do it if that’s your thing, but we didn’t do it the first time on our day trip and we only did it this last time because we were camping there for three days. Otherwise, just be mindful that the ferry is 2.5 hours each way and if you don’t want to sit in the sun that long, try to get seats in the AC cabin below or the canopy up top. Hope you enjoy the trip!

[@MarkWayUp]

congrats on busting 25 yrs! we just hit 20 ourselves! :) key west is on r bucket list for next year - ft jefferson is on the list as well. you really make the whole adventure seem easy! :) u guys were incredibly brave to camp there - awesomeness! fun frisbee time! amazing adventure - thanks for taking us with you! :)

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you and congrats on your 20! We hope you love key west / dry tortugas when you go. It was too good not to return to camp. It was not as easy as it looked, but it was worth it. 😁 The day trip is still amazing, if you don’t camp.

[@myah61]

Happy anniversary! I’m going end of this year for the first time, got super lucky and got last minute ferry reservations. Looking into boat permits for our paddleboards atm!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! That is awesome luck. You will have a blast

[@jerrywitt4707]

great stuff many thanks for compiling these important details, I hope to visit soon

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

No problem! We hope you love it as much as us. Always hoping for another visit ourselves.

[@playingoutsideafter50]

Awesome Video Thanks for sharing Your video was helpful Looking forward to planning our trip 👍🏽

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Hope you have a blast and you're very welcome!

[@piratesandparrots9032]

Thanks for quick reply. We were thinking of going this June. Now realizing that we need to be checking on Reserving the boat trip over. (Thought; I often see that travel KZbinrs don't note in the text up-front what season/month their video is taken. I find that Very helpful to know, hint-hint... ;-). )

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Taking the boat over, camping overnight or not, is definitely the hardest part because of how long in advance you may have to book. I hope you find something for June! And yes, we are usually pretty good about saying when we went, but not always. I will genuinely try to remember to add that from now on :)

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

Good information and happy Anniversary!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! It was great 😁

[@cindywheatley6736]

Happy anniversary.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! 😀

[@RobDFishing]

Great video. Going for the 1st time in 2 weeks

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Awesome! Day trip or overnight? Either way, I hope you love it

[@RobDFishing]

@@MagellanandGreyhound2 nights of camping. I can't wait.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@RobDFishing oh man, you’re definitely gonna love it. I’m jealous haha

[@petr-podrouzek]

Amazing 🙂

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Unbelievably so 😁

[@rosegialanellaobrien6028]

Loved everything about this ! Except I’ll skip the key lime pie! 😂

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Haha I didn’t know you weren’t a fan. It was tasty 😁

[@RadReelingFishing]

Excellent video. I'm not completely finished yet, but from what I've found online it appears that the campsites are fist come first serve and don't have to be booked. So in your video you said book well in advance, I'm thinking you're referring to the ferry?

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

No, the campsites must be booked in advance with the ferry. They are first come first serve as you arrive - meaning, if all are vacant, all are up for grabs as you get off the boat. Realistically, that won't happen though - we were the first off the boat, but two sets of campers had already been there from the previous night, so those spots were taken.

[@RadReelingFishing]

@@MagellanandGreyhound Perfect, thanks for the quick reply. Your video was great!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

no problem, and thank you! I hope you go and have a great time. This was definitely up there for best places we visited.

[@mandiandjasonreiman2411]

What time of the year were you there? Looks great. We are thinking about going in March of next year.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Early November. It is incredible!

[@joewoodfin9231]

Bucket list

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Hope you go! It’s amazing

[@cassandra2685]

Thank you for sharing So beautiful but I would get a panic attack after the ferry leaves What if one of the people camping is a maniac trying to hurt someone. Then you’re trapped there until the ferry arrives the next day. I don’t know but my mind always goes there.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@cassandra2685 you would be fine! Besides, there are several park employees, rangers, and park police who live there.

[@dougclark6696]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us, and congratulations on your anniversary. Did you feel "trapped" when the ferry left each afternoon? I think I'd be kind of freaked out knowing that I was "stuck" there.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! On the contrary, it was liberating when the ferry left. It was like hosting people at your house and that great sense of relief once everyone has gone and you just get quiet time to yourself. There are rangers who live there and the coast guard is patrolling the area, so we never felt like we'd be stuck.

[@dougclark6696]

@Magellan and Greyhound thanks for your perspective. I know that feeling.

[@boat_life]

Thanks for the video! Got a question. They providing those yard carts to carry camping stuff or I need to bring my own?

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

They provide them. They’ll be there right where the ferry docks. You can see them at 1:45 and 5:29 of the video. They are super helpful!

[@boat_life]

@@MagellanandGreyhound Thanks for info!!

[@jeffreyhoward3852]

Are you allowed to cook? If so, how would you do it? Do they provide firewood or anything? Are you allowed to bring portable solar panels or solar cooking devices?

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

You absolutely are, and plenty of people were - our camping neighbors were grilling all day! But it's not that easy or simple. The park has grills for use (for charcoal), but no wood fires are allowed. You are allowed a gas camping stove, but you'd need to take it with you on your own private vessel, since the ferry doesn't allow anything except for charcoal and sterno gel aboard. I don't see why they wouldn't allow solar panels/cooking devices. We brought solar battery blocks aboard and they didn't say anything.

[@piratesandparrots9032]

What month (season) is this video?

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

I can’t remember whether we went before or after our actual anniversary but it was either October or November.

[@waterfallmadman]

Ps. This year in May is our 24th. I guess we are a year behind you. I wonder where we should go for 25th? 😁

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Nice! Well if you decide to visit Dry Tortugas, you’ve got time to plan it. But man that’s a tough one. So many places to choose. I was considering Hawaii too

[@josephb7400]

I want to go

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

I hope you do!

[@Want2SurfNow]

The problem with visiting places like this (for me anyway) is outside of wanting a shower, I'd have a really hard time leaving

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

That was a very real concern for us too! It's kind of why we went back, and would go back again in a heartbeat

[@luisblejer2451]

I think those are guefilte fish

[@ramrack6301]

Do you need a permit to fart? Geeze

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

In Florida? On Thursdays after 6pm in a public place, it’s illegal. 😂😂😂