| Canaveral National Seashore | |
Things to Do
Canaveral National Seashore offers visitors opportunities for water-based recreation, as well as hiking, wildlife viewing, and backcountry camping. A good place to begin your visit is at either of the two visitor information centers. The Seashore Visitor Information Center (located 7 miles south of New Smyrna Beach on Route A1A) has exhibits, schedules, publications, and an orientation program. The Refuge Information Center (located 4 miles east of Titusville on Route 402) includes exhibits and offers visitor information and publications. Contact the park for further information.
This 24-mile stretch of undeveloped seashore is situated on a subtropical barrier island bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Mosquito Lagoon on the west. Hammocks of ancient oaks, salt marshes, mangrove islands, and dunes covered with sea oats, seagrape, and palmetto shelter wildlife between the island's shores. Mosquito Lagoon, which comprises over two-thirds of the park, is designated an Outstanding Florida Water and as a part of the 155-mile long Indian River Lagoon (IRL), an Estuary of National Significance. The IRL is considered the most diverse and productive estuary in North America. Mosquito Lagoon supports nationally-recognized commercial and recreational fisheries for finfish, clams, oysters, blue crabs and shrimp.
Exploring the Park
The seashore has undeveloped beaches and limited services. The 24-mile stretch of beach includes Apollo Beach in the North District of the park (near New Smyrna Beach) and Playalinda Beach at the South District. Boardwalks from the parking areas offer access to the beach while protecting the fragile sand dunes from foot traffic. Lifeguards are on duty at the beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Klondike Beach, which is situated in between the two beaches, is accessible only by foot, bicycle, or horseback.Canaveral National Seashore offers several programs led by park rangers. In the North District, year-round ranger-led programs include walks, talks, canoe programs, and seasonal "Sea Turtle Watch" programs. Reservations are required for the canoe and Turtle Watch programs.
Hiking
Four nature and historic trails can all be found in the North District of the park. These include: 1) Turtle Mound, a self-guiding 0.25-mile trail leading to the top of a Timucuan Indian Mound; 2) Castle Windy, a one-mile round-trip trail crossing the island from the beach to Mosquito Lagoon; 3) Eldora, a 0.25-mile trail leading to a turn of the century settlement (Eldora State House) along Mosquito Lagoon; and 4) Eldora Hammock, a 0.5-mile loop trail passing through a coastal forest.
Horseback riding is permitted from November 1 through April 30. A Special Use permit is necessary. Canoeing and Kayaking
Shipyard Island Canoe Trail is located at the North District of the Park and can be reached from the boat ramp located on A1A South of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, within Canaveral National Seashore boundary. Access to Mosquito Lagoon is at each end of Canaveral National Seashore. In the South District, access the lagoon from the boat ramp at Eddy Creek Parking Area, approximately 15 miles East of Titusville on State Road 402.Watchable Wildlife:
Canaveral National Seashore provides habitat for 14 federally-listed (Threatened and Endangered) animal species, ranking it second in the entire National Park Service. Among the wildlife it protects are three species of sea turtles - the loggerhead, leatherback and green sea turtle -- that come ashore from May through August to nest on the beach. Turtle Watches are held in June and July. Park visitors can join a ranger and watch a loggerhead sea turtle nest on the beach. Reservations are taken in May for the June programs and in June for the July programs. Call 321-867-4077 or 386-428-3384 ext. 10 for Information about the programs.Mosquito lagoon provides refuge for manatees during the spring and summer. Bottle-nosed dolphins are often seen in both the ocean and Mosquito Lagoon. Canaveral National Seashore also has some of the best birdwatching in the country. Herons, ibis, egrets and other shore birds abound, especially during the winter months, while brown pelicans and ospreys are year-round residents.
The nearby Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge also allows visitors the opportunity to view many species of wildlife in their natural environment. About half of the of the refuge's 140,000 acres comprises brackish estuaries and marshes, while the remaining lands consist of coastal dunes, scrub oaks, pine forests and flatwoods, and palm and oak hammocks. The six-mile self-guiding Black Point Wildlife Trail in the refuge meanders through pine flatwoods and impounded marsh, providing excellent views of many species of wildlife. The refuge is a gateway to the Great Florida Birding Trail and it co-hosts the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival each November.
