If the holiday season has you stressed, take a moment and share a mental vacation with us at Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. Almost 70 miles west of Key West, this remote park is home to historic Fort Jefferson, warm blue waters, awesome coral reefs and slow, colorful sunsets. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, it takes some planning to get there. So you probably won’t get there tomorrow, but that’s not going to stop us from imagining the sand under our feet right now. Photo by National Park Service.

In 1513, Don Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the islands of the Dry Tortugas 70 miles west of Florida. By the time Florida was acquired by the United States in 1821, military strategists of the young nation already had plans for this vital anchorage. Construction on Fort Jefferson began in 1846, but was hindered by heat, hurricanes, disease and distance. Today, Dry Tortugas National Park preserves the fort, as well as the marine ecosystems and island beauty that mesmerize everyone who visits. Photo by Glenn Gardner, National Park Service.

Turquoise waters lap against the red brick walls of Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. Almost 70 miles west of Key West, the 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. On Garden Key, Fort Jefferson tells an important story about America’s shipping and military history. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Dry Tortugas also offers amazing underwater attractions including superlative coral reefs and marine life. Photo by Jose Torres (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Happy World Sea Turtle Day! 🐢

On public lands across the country, we are working to protect turtle habitat, monitor turtle nests and ensure hatchlings make it to the ocean. At Dry Tortugas National Park – the most active turtle nesting site in the Florida Keys – park biologists have been monitoring sea turtle nesting activity within the park since 1980. Learn more about different types of turtles found on public lands: https://on.doi.gov/2rTZ7gf

Sea turtle hatchlings at Dry Tortugas by National Park Service.  

Photographer Jose Torres won the Night Sky category of the Share The Experience contest with this incredible shot of the Milky Way at Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. Located almost 70 miles west of Key West, the 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known for the magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, great snorkeling and amazing night skies. Photo by Jose Torres (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Loggerhead Key – located almost 70 miles west of Key West, Florida – is the largest island of Dry Tortugas National Park. Covering about 49 acres, it is home to a 160-year-old lighthouse and some truly excellent sites for snorkeling and diving. Along with amazing coral formations, divers can find a variety of colorful reef fish, including parrotfish, angel fish, triggerfish and damselfish. Just remember, look but don’t touch. Not only will an accidental brush up against the coral probably kill it, you may be bumping into any number of potentially dangerous animals, include fire coral, jellyfish, sea urchins or the exotic venomous lionfish. Photo by Bryan Goff (www.sharetheexperience.org).

It’s World Turtle Day! From a tiny baby bog turtle to a massive leatherback, turtles come in many shapes and sizes. Found gliding through the open ocean or slowly trudging over desert plains, they are fascinating creatures. Because of environmental threats, several species are endangered and need our help. Video of a baby turtle running for the surf by Dry Tortugas National Park.

You’re going to want to see these amazing summer pics of America’s public lands: http://on.doi.gov/1fCdezf

For more great photos, be sure to follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/usinterior/

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Located on the southern coast of Virginia, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge provides feeding and resting habitat for migratory birds. The usfws refuge contains over 9,250 acres, situated on a thin strip of coastline typical of barrier islands found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Habitats include beach, dunes, woodland, farm fields and freshwater marsh. Photo by Tyrone Singletary (www.sharetheexperience.org).

A lightning strike illuminates Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. This photo was taken a few years ago from the South Rim of the canyon by the Watchtower. Photo by Travis Roe (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Kara Wall snapped this cute pic of two baby sea turtles snuggling at Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. Five different types of sea turtles are found in the waters of south Florida, and Dry Tortugas is famous for the abundance of sea turtles that annually nest in the area. Photo from www.sharetheexperience.org.

These two cuddly fox kits were spotted at Acadia National Park in Maine. National Park Service photo.

A gem in America’s Pacific Northwest is the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in Oregon. Called an amazing treasure, Cascade Siskiyou covers more than 62,000 acres and is best known for the unique landscapes created by the convergence of species from the high deserts of the Northern Great Basin to the temperate rain forests of the Pacific Coast. Photo by Bob Wick, mypubliclands.

Here’s a great way to end World Oceans Day. This baby turtle hatchling journeys to the ocean at Dry Torturgas National Park in Florida. These little guys know how important oceans are to all living things. National Park Service video. 🐢🐢

It’s World Turtle Day – a day that spotlights turtles and tortoises and how we can protect them. 

Kara Wall snapped this cute pic of two baby sea turtles snuggling at Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. Five different types of sea turtles are found in the waters of south Florida, and the park is famous for the abundance of sea turtles that annually nest in the area. But remember, no matter how cute the turtles are, visitors are not allowed to disturb sea turtles or their nests. Photo from www.sharetheexperience.org.