Posted in Florida January 07, 2018 by

Most People Don’t Know About These Strange Ruins Hiding In Florida

There’s just something about historic ruins that catches your eye and captures the imagination. It’s impossible not to wonder what these ruins once looked like when they were built long ago and what secrets they might hold. Today, we’re going to explore one of Florida’s most fascinating ruins, the Fort Jefferson ruins.

Welcome to Fort Jefferson ruins at Dry Tortugas National Park. These exotic ruins in Florida are located on a small island about 70 miles from Key West.
Flickr/Tabitha Kaylee Hawk
This massive brick fortress is unlike anything you've ever seen before. In fact, it is the largest masonry structure in the entire Western Hemisphere.
Flickr/James Bass
Despite its impressive size, this abandoned 19th-century fort was actually never completed. Fort Jefferson ruins may be huge and desolate, but its stunning surroundings make this historic fortress hauntingly beautiful.
Flickr/Rene Rivers
The island can only be visited by boat or seaplane, and although camping is permitted, there are no modern amenities on the island. This lonely spot is, however, one of the most magical places in the state for stargazing.
Flickr/Eugeniu Rotari
Other reasons to visit the best national park in Florida include swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear sapphire waters that surround the fort as far as the eye can see.
Flickr/Giggs Huang
The island is surrounded by the unique and fascinating wildlife that inhabits Florida's coral reef.
Flickr/Dry Tortugas National Park
With jaw-dropping views from its abandoned fort, azure tropical waters, and an unspoiled natural island to explore, Dry Tortugas National Park deserves a spot on any Floridian's bucket list.
Flickr/Matthew Paulson

What do you think of the Fort Jefferson ruins in Florida? Have you ever visited Dry Tortugas National Park? What’s your favorite Sunshine State adventure? Let us know in the comments!

If you enjoy seeing ruins, hike to some extraordinary ruins along one of these seven trails in Florida.

Address: Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Fort Jefferson Ruins

August 25, 2021
Melissa M.

What are some of the best national parks in Florida?

Did you know that Florida is home to 11 national parks, all of which are worth visiting? Aside from Dry Tortugas National Park, there’s Big Cypress National Preserve in Ochopee, Biscayne National Park in Miami, and Canaveral National Seashore in New Smyrna Beach among others. You can learn more about all of Florida’s national parks (which should all be on your bucket list) in this post.

What other ruins can I explore in Florida?

One incredible site with ruins is located running alongside the Seven-Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys. These ruins were once the Florida Overseas Railroad. Originally built in the early 1900s, the railroad’s middle section was destroyed by a Category 5 hurricane in 1935, rendering it useless from that point on. You can learn more about the history behind the railroad ruins in this article. Florida also has several trails that visitors can use to hike to ruins. In Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park in Ormond Beach, you can take a hike to the ruins of an old plantation and sugar mill that were set ablaze during the Second Seminole War. You can find more hikes in our post, These 7 Trails In Florida Will Lead To Extraordinary Ruins.

Are there any other abandoned sites in Florida?

In Port Orange, there’s an abandoned amusement park you can visit. Now a beautiful garden, this area was once home to Bongoland, a 1930s amusement park. Remnants of the former park remain, like the concrete dinosaurs, making it one of the most unique abandoned attractions in Florida. You can read more about the history and the gardens in this post.

 

Address: Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, USA