Florida's Dry Tortugas National Park Is Temporarily Closed — What to Know

The closure is expected to last several days.

Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys is temporarily closed after approximately 300 migrants arrived over the New Year's weekend.

“Like elsewhere in the Florida Keys, the park has recently seen an increase in people arriving by boat from Cuba and landing on the islands of Dry Tortugas National Park," the National Park Service explained in a news release this week. "Park first responders provide food, water and basic medical attention until the Department of Homeland Security arrives and takes the lead.”

The closure is expected to last several days.

Visitor services will not be available during the closure of the 100-square-mile park, famous as the home of Fort Jefferson, unspoiled beaches, and impressive coral reefs. Situated on seven small islands located about 70 miles west of Key West,  it is accessible by boat or seaplane. Both services are also temporarily suspended.

Homeland Security Task Force - Southeast, law enforcement, and medical personnel are currently providing food and shelter to the migrants until their transfer to U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody in Key West, the agency shared on Twitter on Wednesday.

More than 160 migrants have also recently landed in the Middle and Upper Keys, according to a statement on the Facebook page of the Monroe County Sheriff's office, which covers the Florida Keys.

Despite the park closure, there are still plenty of ways to see and stay in Key West and the rest of the Florida Keys, from road-tripping along the famous Overseas Highway to the islands' best beaches. 

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