Canaveral National Seashore - Titusville and New Smyrna Beach, Florida - 24 mile beach, swimming, birding, fishing, wildlife - National Park Service.
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National
Seashore
PLAYALINDA BEACH
Titusville, Florida
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August 11, 2023 Press Release
Carmen Thomson selected as Canaveral National Seashore superintendent
New Canaveral National Seashore Superintendent Carmen Thomson
NPS/Photo
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ATLANTA — The National Park Service (NPS) announced today the selection of Carmen Thomson as the new superintendent of Canaveral National Seashore, located on the east coast of Florida between Titusville and New Smyrna Beach. Thomson begins her new assignment on Sept. 10.
“Carmen is an experienced leader, a strong project manager and an excellent team builder,” said South Atlantic-Gulf Regional Director Mark Foust. “Her exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, as well her ability to work with others in addressing complex challenges position her to be a strong leader for Canaveral National Seashore.”
“I am truly honored to be selected as the next superintendent of Canaveral National Seashore,” said Thomson. “I look forward to caring for the vast array of cultural and natural resources at Canaveral, supporting staff and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, partners and the local community. I am thrilled to return to the place that captured my heart several years ago."
Thomson is a 22-year NPS veteran and began her career in 2001 as a natural resource management specialist at Niobrara National Scenic River in Valentine, Nebraska. Since 2005, she served as inventory and monitoring (I&M) program manager for the NPS Midwest Region, holding financial, supervisory and operational responsibility for three I&M networks across 13 states with a combined budget of approximately $3.3 million and 33 staff members. While in this role, Thomson also served as both Midwest Region chair and co-chair of the NPS Invasive Plant Management Team Advisory Group, as well as the NPS representative to the Nebraska Invasive Species Council from 2012-2022, appointed by former governor Dave Heineman.
During her NPS career, Thomson has also completed several detail assignments in a variety of leadership roles. These include superintendent of Tallgrass Prairie and Preserve in Strong City, Kansas and Canaveral National Seashore; associate regional director for natural resources and stewardship for the Midwest Region; and, most recently, as deputy program leader for the NPS Natural Resource Science and Stewardship Directorate’s I&M program.
Originally from Nebraska, Thomson holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries management from South Dakota State University. She has two children, Ty, who recently graduated from high school and will be attending college this fall on a baseball scholarship, and Ashten, a high school junior and cross-country and soccer athlete. In her spare time, Thomson enjoys watching her children’s sports, attending music festivals and college football games, and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park on her annual fall trip with her partner, Mark. She looks forward to relocating to Florida in September.
CLICK HERE for the PDF Press Release
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Headquarters
212 S. Washington Ave.
Titusville, FL 32796
321-267-1110
FAX: 321-264-2906
eMail
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South District
BE PREPARED: The seashore is located 12 miles east of Titusville on S.R. 402. Bring water, food, sunscreen, etc. This is nature unspoiled! The only amenity on this seashore is toilets.
Open/Closed Info.
321-867-4077
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North District
7611 South Atlantic Avenue
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
386-428-3384 |
PARK HOURS:
Winter (Eastern Standard Time): 6:00am - 6:00pm
Summer (Daylight Savings Time): 6:00am - 8:00pm
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DIRECTIONS:
Canaveral National Seashore has two districts, and is located on the East Coast of Central Florida between New Smyrna Beach and Kennedy Space Center. The Seashore is accessible via Interstate 95 (Exit 80 and Exit 84), U. S. 1, State Road 44 and State Road 406/402. |
| General Information | Things to Remember |
| Playalinda Beach Tide and Fishing |
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Rip Current Survival Guide
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National Recreation and Park Association
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The National Park Foundation
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Share the beach with Nesting Shorebirds
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April 2019: National Park Service Names Jay Grass Canaveral National Seashore Superintendent. PRESS RELEASE
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Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Announce the Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the
Proposed Space Coast Trail
CLICK for a printable, shareable PDF with details & map.
TURTLE WATCH RESERVATIONS
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PURCHASING PARK PASSES
Park passes may be purchased at our entrance stations. Apollo Beach entrance station is located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Playalinda Beach entrance station is located near Titusville, Florida (Latitude: 28.645167, Longitude: -80.68325). Please call the Apollo Beach visitor center for directions (386) 428-3384 ext. 0. Passes are not available at Park Headquarters.
Every fourth-grader around the country can get a free one-year national parks pass for the student and their family under a program started by then-President Barack Obama in 2015.
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ROCKET LAUNCH VIEWING
Canaveral National Seashore plans to remain open for launches occurring on Kennedy Space Center that are within the normal operating hours of the seashore. These hours are 6:00 am to 6:00 pm EST or 6:00 am to 8:00 pm DST. Depending on the launch location within the center, you may experience changes in traffic and parking patterns. The seashore will close to incoming visitors at such time as parking areas are full. The seashore plans to manage these launches under a modified Incident Command System Plan. NASA has the authority to close parts of Canaveral National Seashore for space center operations. Every attempt will be made to keep the visiting public apprised of these exciting events, while providing for visitor and staff safety.
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Canaveral National Seashore Changes Entrance Fee to Address Infrastructure Needs & Improve Visitor Experience
The National Park Service (NPS) announced today Canaveral National Seashore will modify its entrance fees to provide additional funding for infrastructure and maintenance needs to enhance the visitor experience.
Effective January 1, 2019 the entrance fees to the park will be $15 per vehicle or $10 per motorcycle and $5 per pedestrian/bicycle for a 7 day visit. An annual park pass will remain $40. All of the money received from entrance fees remains with the National Park Service with at least 80 percent of the revenue going to Canaveral National Seashore.
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The National Park Service...
... protects 10 National Seashores in the United States. Canaveral National Seashore is a step into the past, protection for the present, and a doorway into the future. The 100 Timucuan Mounds that are within our boundaries are evidence of past generations of people that lived here. Canaveral National Seashore covers 57,000 acres and is the longest stretch (24 miles) of undeveloped beach on Florida's east coast. Fourteen endangered species make their home within Canaveral's boundaries.
Kennedy Space Center...
... owns the land that is managed by the National Park Service and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Joint efforts of three agencies is protecting it from development and preserving the history, the wildlife and the diverse habitats. This nation's desire for a future space program in 1955, protected this area from development and preserved the history, the wildlife, the diverse habitats.
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Our Seashore... ... offers undeveloped beaches with limited services. There are no designated picnic areas, food services, beach showers. Life guards are on duty May 30th through September 1st and limited horseback riding is available in the north district (12/22/15 - update). Short, self-guiding trails and beach and island camping are available in the north district. |
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WHAT WE OFFER
Friends of Canaveral Facebook
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BEACH ACCESS
Twenty-four miles of undeveloped beach is available at 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 protecting the fragile sand dunes from foot traffic.
Life guards are stationed at each district of the park at Parking Area 1 on Apollo Beach and at Parking Area 2 on Playalinda Beach. Life guards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., May 30 through September 1. There is no water available, no showers, or public telephones.
OCEAN SAFETY TIPS
For your protection be aware of safety concerns when visiting the ocean. Rip currents, lightning, and Portuguese man-of-war can be hazardous.
RIP CURRENTS
Rip currents that flow seaward from the beach can be deadly. On sandy beach, sandbars often develop a short distance from shore (10-100 yards). Ocean water washes across the bar, gathers in the trough, and rushes back out through the breaks in the sand bar, thus creating a rip current. Rip currents can be very strong. Unwary bathers are sometimes caught in rip currents and carried deeper into the ocean. Learn how to identify rips. Know the conditions that produce them. To escape a rip, swim across the current not directly back into it. Once free of the rip, swim back to shore. Most important of all, remain calm. Panic in rip currents causes death.
WATCH THE WEATHER
Central Florida is the lightning capital of the world. If you observe lightning while on the beach seek shelter in your car until the storm passes by.
PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR
The Portuguese man-of-war is a floating drifting jellyfish that trails long "feeding" tentacles designed to sting and stun prey. The living cells in these tentacles can severely sting beach users. The Portuguese man-of-war looks like a purple balloon to children. Sometimes they will try to touch it or pick it up. If you see a man-of-war floating in the water, remember the tentacles can stretch up to 50 feet. Keep your distance. Even when washed up on the beach and apparently dead contact with the man-of-war can cause severe reactions. If stung, quickly and carefully remove any tentacle parts that may remain on the skin. A mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water or meat tenderizer is useful to bring to the beach or you may contact a park ranger for assistance. Some people may have severe reactions.
SEA TURTLES
Canaveral National Seashore serves as an important nesting area for sea turtles. During the months of May through August, giant sea turtles lumber ashore to nest on the beach. Three species are know to nest within the park; the loggerhead, leatherback and green sea turtle. Loggerheads lay 3,000 - 4,000 nests per year. Up to three hundred greens and only a few leatherbacks deposit their eggs within the park boundaries each nesting season.
CLICK HERE for more detailed information about the Sea Turtles at Canaveral National Seashore.
BEACH & ISLAND CAMPING
Limited backcountry camping in the Seashore is permitted on the beach November 1 through April 30 and on designated islands all year around. A backcountry camping permit is required; call: (386) 428-3384. Click for more information. |
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HORSEBACK RIDING
Horse use is restricted to Apollo Beach (north). There is no horse use at Playalinda Beach (south). INFORMATION -- UPDATE
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TRAILS AT THE SEASHORE
Walking trails to prehistoric and historic destinations, some with interpretive signs. One leads to the Eldora State House. The Canoe Trail is located around the mangrove islands. Click for more information.
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William Bartram Trail
In 1776/77 William Bartram's travels took him through Florida and what is now Canaveral National Seashore. America's first native born naturalist made many drawings of native flora and fauna.
Click on the pictures for details.
For more information, visit the website of
the Bartram Trail Conference.
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OTHER CONCERNS:
Canaveral National Seashore hosts 1,500,000 visitors a year. We offer 24 miles of secluded beach and 57,000 acres of relatively undisturbed wilderness. This seclusion offers the opportunity for visitors to enjoy a walk along a pristine beach and enjoy nature at it's best.
In secluded areas there are some concerns. While visiting Canaveral National Seashore you must remember the following:
- Don't bring valuables to the beach. If possible leave everything locked securely in a motel or hotel safe or leave them at home. If you must bring them with you secure them out of sight.
- The weather can be unpredictable. Please leave the beach immediately if you see lightning. Florida is the lightning capital of the world.
- We have no running water except at the Information Center near New Smyrna Beach. Bring plenty of water to drink.
- There are no showers at Canaveral National Seashore. Our beach facilities have self-contained chemical toilets. If you wish to wash you hands or rinse the sand off your body after a day on the beach, each person in your party should bring a gallon or two of water.
- Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen and from biting insects with insect repellant.
- Racoons can be bothersome. Do not feed them. Keep all food locked in your car until you are ready to eat it. Visitors have lost purses and there contents simply because there was food inside. Raccoons have been known to drag purses into the dunes, where they are permanently lost.
- Alligators are dangerous. Do not feed or throw rocks at them. They are protected. They may seem docile as they bask in the sun but they can move quickly and will if harassed or fed.
- Many visitors have lost car keys in the ocean. Please secure your keys and other personal items in a safe place.
- There are no concessions at the Seashore. As in wilderness areas, bring everything you need with you and leave only your foot prints behind.
13 Things You Can't Do in US National Parks
The US National Park system gives visitors access to an immense variety of natural, historical and cultural treasures. Whether you enjoy backpacking in the wilderness, viewing natural wonders or exploring the history of the US, you can find a great National Park to visit.
As you plan your trip to a US National Park, keep in mind that, in addition to each park's specific rules, there are policies that apply to every park in the system. Some are obvious, but others are a bit more unusual. Here are some things you cannot do in any US National Park.
- Fly an Unmanned Aircraft (Drone)
- Collect Rocks, Plants, Fossils or Antlers
- Pan for Gold
- Gather Wood, Nuts, Berries or Fruit
- Feed Wild Animals
- Climb, Walk on or Deface Structures, Rock Formations, or Cultural Artifacts
- Throw Rocks
- Use a Metal Detector
- Enter Caves Without Permission
- Release Helium Balloons
- Build Fires Outside of Designated Areas
- Smoke Marijuana
- Stay in a Park During a Government Shutdown
- For Details Click Here
From the November 1, 2018 Friends of Canaveral Newsletter
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival - January
Ecotourism in North Brevard
Enchanted Forest Sanctuary
Education Sites in North Brevard
Brevard Nature Alliance
Places to Go & Things to Do in and near North Brevard
Titusville Area Visitors Council
Space Coast Tourist Development Council
Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
6/7/97.
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