Complete Guide to Canaveral National Seashore in Florida, including things to do, history, nearby lodging and camping, directions, and so much more.
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Canaveral National Seashore
Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge are next to each other and are located approximately one hour East of Orlando Florida, and is on the Atlantic Coast. Merritt Island begins with the development of the John F. Kenedy Space Center as NASA acquired 140,000 acres of land in 1962 and only needed a small portion of this land.
The National Wildlife Refuge signed an agreement the next year establishing the refuge. It was not until January 3, 1975, when Canaveral National Seashore was established. Today this area is home to over 1500 species of plants and animals, 15 of which are protected. Now it time to Explore Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge!
Things to know before you visit to Canaveral National Seashore
Canaveral National Seashore Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $25.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $20.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $45.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
Note that Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge also has an entrance Fee (Interagency Access Pass works at both locations!)
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Entrance Fee
Merritt Island Daily Pass - $10.00 per vehicle
Merritt Island Annual Pass - $25.oo per vehicle
Merritt Island Foot/Bicycle Daily Pass - $10.00 per individual entering the refuge on foot or bike.
Duck Stamp - $25.00
Federal Duck Stamps are valid for 1 year, July 1 to June 30, at all National Wildlife Refuges.
The Federal Duck Stamp is so much more than just a hunting stamp. They cover the admittance fee to National Wildlife Refuges, as well as being required for Migratory Bird Hunters (primarily duck and goose hunters). They are also collectible works of art and an easy way for everyone to help support wetland conservation.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Canaveral National Seashore Map
Park Information
Time Zone - Eastern Time Zone
Size - Nearly 58,000 acres
Check out how the park compares to other National Parks by Size.
Date Established: January 3, 1975
Phone Number
(386)428-3384
Address
212 S Washington Ave.
Titusville, Fl. 32796
Pets - Pets are allowed into the park along the lagoon side (Turtle Mound, Eldora, Seminole Rest, Eddy Creek), on trails, and multi-use paths.
Pets are not allowed on the beach or boardwalks.
Cell Service - cellular service is generally available in the central portions of the refuge.
Hours
Park District - Apollo District - New Smyrna Beach Entrance
Open every day from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Last entry into the seashore is at 7:00 PM
Park District - Playalinda District - Titusville Entrance
Open every day from 6:00 Am to 8:00 PM, last entry into the seashore is at 7:00 PM.
Park District - Seminole Rest Historic Site - Oak Hill
Open everyday from sunrise to sunset.
Wi-Fi Available - No
Food/Restaurants
There are no restaurants in the refuge; however, numerous restaurants are available in Titusville, a few miles to the east.
Gas
There are no gas stations in the refuge; however, there are gas stations in Titusville.
May I fly a Drone at Canaveral National Seashore?
Drones are not permitted within National Park Sites.
National Park Passport Stamps
National Park Passport stamps can be found in the visitor center.
Make sure to bring your National Park Passport Book with you or we like to pack these circle stickers so we don't have to bring our entire book with us.
Electric Vehicle Charging
There are no EV charging stations in the park, but there are several charging stations nearby. Click here for a map of EV charging locations.
Don't forget to Pack these Items
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!
Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!
Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.
Getting to Canaveral National Seashore
Estimated Distance from Major Cities
- Orlando, Florida - 46 miles, 51 minutes
- Tampa, Florida - 131 miles, 2 Hours
- Gainesville, Florida - 140 miles, 2 hours and 26 minutes
- St. Augustine, Florida - 95 miles, 1 Hour and 30 minutes
Closest Airports
International Airports
- Orlando International (MCO) 49 miles, 48 minutes
- Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) 51 miles, 51 minutes
- Tampa International Airport (TPA) 137 miles, 2 hours, and 10 minutes
Weather and Seasons
One thing to keep in mind is that hurricane season runs annually from June 1 to November 30 each year.
Central Florida also experiences a wet season (when a large portion of the area's annual precipitation occurs). It typically runs from late May through mid-October.
This is the time when it is common to experience frequent, heavy afternoon thunderstorms with high humidity and rainfall.
Spring (March-May)
Springtime brings more humidity and rain while temperatures start rising into the mid-80s.
Summer (June-August)
Summer is typically hot and humid with the potential of daily lightning storms.
Fall (September-November)
The fall brings a very welcoming decrease in temperature, and humidity as temperatures start falling in the upper 70s.
Winter (December-February)
Winters are very pleasant with average daily highs around 72 degrees. Winters also tend to be windier than the summers.
Things To Do at Canaveral National Seashore
Visit the Apollo Beach Visitor Center
The visitor center is open daily, 9 am-5 pm, except Christmas Day, and has exhibits about the park's resources and history. You can also watch a video in the theater, get a Junior Ranger Program, and get information from the rangers on duty.
Spend the day at the Beach
Canaveral National Seashore has three beaches (Apollo, Klondike, and Playalinda) stretching approximately 25 miles! This provides plenty of opportunities to spend the day at the beach and pretty much everyone likes spending time at the beach.
There is so much to do or perhaps lie around and do nothing at all. I enjoy looking for seashells and swimming, and saw several people just walking the beach, snorkeling, and fishing. I was a little surprised when I went to check in on social media and saw there was a nude beach.
I asked the person at the visitor center at Apollo Beach and was advised to avoid the area around parking lot #5, and I would be fine. I later noticed there is one on Playalinda Beach at parking lot #13. You have now been advised to either keep you and the kids away or come prepared to get rid of those tan lines; the decision is all yours.
Go hiking
There are several small interpretative hikes between Canaveral and Merritt Island. These trails are Turtle Mound (pictured above), Castle Windy, Eldora Hammock at the Apollo Beach area and an interpretative trail around the Merritt Island Visitor Center. The Merritt Island area also has Oak and Palm Hammock Trails, Scrub Trail, and the Cruickshank Trail.
Attend An Interpretative Program
The Canaveral National Seashore has several interpretative programs. You can sign up for a Canoe Mosquito Lagoon Tour, attend a clamming 101 or take a class on estuaries, bugs, and plants. Canoes can also be rented from the Apollo Beach Visitor Center between 9a-12p. All canoes have to be dropped off by 2 pm. Click Here for a list of upcoming interpretative programs available at the park.
Experience a Turtle Watch Tour
Every May-June, park visitors can sign up on recreation.gov to take a guided sea turtle tour at either Playalinda Beach or Smyrna Beach. These tours are offered in June and July and are incredibly popular as participants meet their guides and walk up to a ½ mile on the beach in soft sand to reach the location where the turtle will be observed laying her nest and returning to the ocean. The evening concludes by helping to protect her nest by putting a screen across the egg chamber, marking the nest for research purposes.
Programs are available on Fridays and Saturdays and begin at 8:00 EST, ending around midnight.
Activities in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking/Wildlife Refuge
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1 hour and 30 Minutes | 🛶Check Rates and Availability
Here you will follow your guide to the area's top manatee and dolphin hotspots around Cocoa Beach to maximize your chances of seeing these incredible marine animals. Manatees are known as the gentle giants of the sea, and they are curious creatures who love to come up to kayakers for a closer look! You may even be able to pet one. Dolphins are equally playful and often swim right by your Kayak.
Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
⭐️ Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1 hour and 30 Minutes | 🛶Check Rates and Availability
Enjoy the rare experience of seeing plankton glow in the water below you by paddling through the Banana River through the protected wetlands of Merritt Island Refuge, away from light pollution, for excellent viewing of the bioluminescent sea life.
Sunset Kayaking - Wildlife Refuge
⭐️ Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1 hour and 30 Minutes | 🛶Check Rates and Availability
This is an unforgettable experience as you end your day with a relaxing paddle on this sunset kayaking tour. Look out for area wildlife, including dolphins, manatees, and numerous bird species. Then enjoy seeing the ocean come alive with the light and color of the sunset, and look out for that rare chance of witnessing the bioluminescent dinoflagellate algae!
Take the Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island NWR
The seven-mile one-way Black Point Wildlife Drive is a must for anyone visiting this area! There are so many opportunities to see wildlife, including countless bird species, alligators, snakes, bobcats, and river otters, to name a few. Make sure to take the time and walk the Cruickshank trail and go to the observation tower. This will provide sweeping views of the incredible habitat that attracts numerous plant and animal species.
Bird watchers will fall in love here! Merritt Island is one of America's best birding destinations and has an amazing 357 species recorded here. The winter often brings on over 100,000 waterfowl and has numerous year-round resident species.
Park Ranger John Pro Tip: Wildlife Viewing can be lots of fun. Here are a few of my tips to provide the best opportunities for viewing wildlife.
- Drive slowly and be as quiet as possible when on auto tours
- Wildlife is generally most active in the early morning or late afternoon
- Know the peak season for viewing wildlife (For Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island NWR, the best time of year to see wildlife is October-March)
- Use cover, as other animals/birds may think you are a predator
- Do not approach wildlife
Stop at the Manatee Viewing Area
The Manatee observation deck is right next to the parking lot and is handicap accessible. The viewing area gives everyone an opportunity to see manatees, also known as sea cows, up close! These mammals are graceful swimmers despite their size so keep looking for them. We also saw several dolphins at the manatee viewing area making for a great visit!
Lodging near Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore
The Salty Mermaid Oceanfront Hotel
Click here to book your stay at the Salty Mermaid Oceanfront Hotel
The Salty Mermaid is located on New Smyrna Beach and on the north end of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Canaveral National Seashore. This unique upscale botique Inn is a 5 room hotel has an exceptional rating (9.9 of 10 stars) and has amenities geared towards complete luxury making this the perfect destination to explore the beach, wildlife refuge, Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center.
Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center
Click here to book your stay at the Courtyard in Titusville Kennedy Space Center
This Courtyard is located right at the base of the NASA Pkwy. bridge leading to Kennedy Space Center and just minutes south of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore. This hotel is themed out for the Kennedy Space Center with a rooftop bar that gives the best views of the rocket launch pads. Enjoy the outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and splash pad, get drinks from the Splashdown Pool Bar or a bite from the Space Bar.
History of Canaveral National Seashore
Canaveral National Seashore is located on a barrier island approximately 60 miles east of Orlando, Florida. It is between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville. The area is managed by the National Park Service in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (NASA). The park encompasses 24 miles of coastline and is the largest area of undeveloped public beach on the east coast of Florida.
The National Seashore encompasses approximately 57,000 acres and includes mangroves, dunes, and a large portion of Mosquito Lagoon. There are three public beaches here, Playalinda, Klondike, and Apollo. There are also several historic landmarks within the park which the National Park Service manages. The Kennedy Space Center owns a large part of the land in the park as well as the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Canaveral means “place of cane.” This name is one of the oldest recorded names in American history. Centuries before European explorers happened upon the area, natives had lived along the seashore and thrived on resources such as oysters and clams. One such example of this life inside the park is the landmark Turtle Mound. 14,000 years ago the first natives comprised of small nomadic groups entered Florida. It is through the mounds at this area we can learn more about their way of life. These mounds were used as shell middens, or shell dumps. The natives, as many in the area after them, survived on a seafood diet. After preparing shellfish, the shells were then dumped at the midden, much as we today would haul our trash to the garbage dump. In studying Turtle Mound, researchers have discovered animal bones inside the middens as well. The bones tell the history of meat that was important to the natives, especially that of deer.
Since the early 1500s, Spain controlled most of the seashores in Florida, expect for a short period of time when the British tried to stake claims. Native peoples such as the Timucua and Seminoles have a long standing history in this area as well.
Seminole Rest, one historic landmark within the park, has a history that researchers have dated back to nearly 2,000 BCE. The ancient mound seen here was used by the Timucua as a shell midden. This site was used heavily between the years of 770-1100 AD. Over the centuries, these mounds have been leveled but in the late 1800s, the family of Hatton Tumor made their home on top of this mound and named the home Instone House. In 1911, Tumor sold the house to Wesley Snyder. The Snyder family remained in the home until the 1980s when it was taken over by the National Park Service.
Another fascinating and historic site within the park is The Eldora Community. Before the 1870s, this area was home to Native Americans who lived off the land. In the late 1870s, the area began developing as an agricultural community. The community was named after early residents Ellen and Dora Pitzer, daughters of area landowner George Pitzer. Eldora served as a steamboat stop before the completion of the railroad. Its prime location was on a water route that would take people from central Florida to south Florida. Settlers from many backgrounds came to settle the area – treasure hunters, carpenters, fisherman, farmers, and beekeepers. By the later part of the 19th century, a large community of orange groves had been established in Eldora. But the area’s climate and environment soon proved unfit for what the settlers intended. Mosquitos, occasional lack of water, and intense summer heat all led to failure for many trying to make a life in Eldora.
Relying heavily on being a steamboat stop and a location of economy and trade, Eldora soon feel apart when the railroad came to nearby Edgewater. Eldora was no long on the main trade or visitor route. Additionally, in the 1890s, a historic frost lasting nearly two years destroyed most of the citrus groves. By the year 1900, almost all businesses in the town were gone. Many left, but some stayed to try and turn the farming community into a resort retreat for those northerners who wanted warmer weather throughout the year. Today, the town has no official residents. The last resident of Eldora, an artist named Doris “Doc” Leeper, died in 2000 at which point Eldora was soon added as a historic site for the Canaveral Seashore. Although the groves were wiped out years ago, visitors can see the few orange trees that survived.
Another interesting landmark included in the National Seashore is the site of the Clifton School House. In 1890, African American settlers Butler Campbell and Andrew Jackson recognized the need for a quality education and opportunities for their 9 children. At that time, the county paid an African American teacher to instruct the children but would not provide a schoolhouse. So Campbell and Jackson decided to build one. Campbell’s neighbor, Wade Holmes, kindly donated an acre lot next to Campbell’s property. The men built a one room schoolhouse out of pine lumber. The materials were shipped by sailboat from Titusville to their location near Mosquito Lagoon. Subjects for the students consisted of American history, reading, geography, science, English, and Math. The students met during the summer months so that in the winter they were available to help in the citrus groves.
Today, this National Seashore draws visitors to its three popular beaches and also provides an exciting view for launches happening at the Kennedy Space Center. Canaveral National Seashore was designated by the National Park Service in 1975, and its preservation of ancient and historic farming and fishing practices coupled with the scenic shores are a history and nature lover’s haven.
Park Sites Near Canaveral National Seashore
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Castillo De San Marcos National Monument
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Fort Caroline National Monument
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Check out all of the US National Seashores that can be visited.
Check out the fun things to do in Palm Beach.
Check out all of the great Florida National Parks and neighboring Georgia National Parks and Alabama National Parks.
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