Dock House - Fort Jefferson Checkpoint

Stepping off the ferry at Garden Key, you see a modest wooden dock house straddling the pier—Fort Jefferson's sole official checkpoint. The structure combines three critical functions: an information room (west side) displaying tide charts, marine weather reports, fishing regulations, park brochures, and boat permit processing; a fee station collecting the $15 park entrance fee (valid 7 consecutive days) and camping charges; and accessible changing rooms (24/7, east side) with railings and benches. Marine band radio is available for required boater communication.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 24.627469838742712, -82.87221607221355
Accessibility: Dock access via ferry. Accessible changing rooms (east side) with handrails, benches, and 24/7 availability. Dock surface is wood with railings.

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Fort Jefferson (immediately adjacent), Garden Key, Little Africa Patch Reef, Loggerhead Key, Bird Key Wreck, Windjammer Wreck
Tips Advice: Arrive early—ferry capacity is limited.
Check marine weather via marine band radio before boating.
Study the information room maps of Fort Jefferson before entering the fort.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen; dock has limited shade.
Cell service may be unreliable; use marine band radio for communication with other boaters.

More details

Park Area: Garden Key / Fort Jefferson
Family Friendly Notes: Accessible changing rooms and handrails support families and visitors with mobility needs. Keep children away from dock edges (open water hazard). Always supervise children near ferry traffic and open water.
Attraction Type: Information Center & Dock
Elevation Feet: 0
Distance From Entrance: At the park entrance (Ferry dock, Garden Key)
Accessibility Level: Dock access via ferry; walking required. Fully accessible facilities available.
How To Get There: Ferry from Key West lands at Garden Key. The dock house is at the ferry terminus, immediately upon arrival—it is the first structure you encounter.
Entry Fees: $15 per person (valid 7 consecutive days). Ferry tickets include the park entrance fee but NOT camping fees. Children 15 and under exempt from entrance fee.
Main Features: Information room (west side) with park brochures, tide charts, marine weather reports, fishing regulations, boat permit processing, and marine band radio. Accessible changing rooms (24/7, east side) with handrails and benches. Fee station for $15 park entrance and camping charges. Fish-cleaning station for post-catch processing.
Safety Considerations: Dock is over open water—exercise caution near edges and unsupervised children. Ferry traffic is ongoing; stay alert for moving vessels. Offshore location subject to rapid weather changes and tropical systems (peak June-November)—marine band radio provides critical weather updates. Wet surfaces on dock are slip hazards; railings provide essential support.
Visitor Center Present: 1
Restrooms Available: 1
Interpretive Signs: 1
Water Available: 0
Nearby Services: Nearest town supplies in Key West (ferry departure point). Dock house has fish-cleaning station. Bring water and supplies; refreshment options on Garden Key are limited.
Weather Patterns: Offshore location in Gulf of Mexico subject to rapid weather changes. Tropical storm season June-November. Marine band radio broadcasts critical weather and safety updates.
Fishing Species: Marine species per park regulations (species-specific rules available in information room)
Fishing Nearby: 1
Boating Allowed: 1

Location

Frequently asked questions

Are changing rooms actually available on the dock?

Yes, handicap-accessible changing rooms with handrails and benches are on the east side, open 24/7.

Does the ferry ticket cover the park entrance fee?

Yes, ferry tickets include the $15 entrance fee (valid 7 consecutive days). Camping fees are paid separately at the dock house fee station.

Where can I get weather and tide information before boating?

Tide charts and marine weather are posted in the information room. Marine band radio (required for boaters) provides real-time marine weather updates.

Can I fish here?

Yes. Fishing regulations and marine information are in the information room. A fish-cleaning station at the dock house handles post-catch processing.

How do private boat operators get permits?

Boat permits are processed and filed at the dock house information room. Marine band radio is available for required boater communication.

Is there interpretive information about Fort Jefferson?

Yes. The information room has park brochures and educational materials about the fort and the marine preserve.