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Dear Friends, Happy New Year!Let me start out this year with a story some of you may not know. On January 3, 1975, Canaveral National Seashore was authorized by President Gerald R. Ford as a unit of the National Park Service. President Ford is the only United States President to serve as a National Park Ranger and he did so as a summer seasonal ranger at Yellowstone National Park in 1936. While his tenure was not long, he often said it was one of the greatest summers of his life. The official part of the story of Canaveral National Seashore goes something like this:
"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that in order to preserve and protect the outstanding natural, scenic, scientific, ecologic, and historic values of certain lands, shoreline, and waters of the State of Florida, and to provide for public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment of the same, there is hereby established the Canaveral National Seashore..."As the Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services and a National Park Service seashore employee, I am proud to have been a part of this story for over 30 years. It started with one of the greatest summers of my life.
Happy 50th Anniversary to Canaveral National Seashore.
See You at the Beach!
Laura Henning
Headquarters
212 S. Washington Ave.
Titusville, FL 32796
321-267-1110
FAX: 321-264-2906South 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.
Playainda Beach
Open/Closed Info.
321-867-4077North District
7611 South Atlantic Avenue
Apollo Beach
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
386-428-3384PARK HOURS:
Winter (Eastern Standard Time): 6:00am - 6:00pm
Summer (Daylight Savings Time): 6:00am - 8:00pmDIRECTIONS:
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 Rip Current Survival Guide National Recreation and Park Association The National Park Foundation Share the beach with Nesting Shorebirds
Friends of Canaveral
Support • Events • NewsletterTurtle Walk Video
TURTLE WATCH
Guided Turtle Watch Tours are offered in June and July
Turtle Walk Video
Link for NPS Turtle Watch Information
Canaveral National Seashore Turtle Watch Tours
BE A BEACH HERO
CLICK for BROCHURE2025 Booking Windows
Turtle Watch Tours will be offered on Friday and Saturday June 1, 2025 - July 27, 2025.May 15, 2025 at 10:00 am ET reservations for June dates become available for tours at both the New Smyrna Beach Playlinda Beach depatures.
June 15, 2025 at 10:00 am ET reservations for July dates become available for tours at both the Smyrna Beach and Playalinda Beach depatures.
Did you know you can experience Canaveral National Seashore through audio recordings?
This is a great program for blind and partially sighted students to learn about the park's history, natural sounds, and wildlife. The Canaveral National Seashore Audio Postcards program is a partnership between the Conklin Davis Center For the Visually Impaired, Atlantic Center for the Arts, and Stetson University, supported by the National Park Service.
Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/cana_audiopostcards.htm
NPS COVID-19 UPDATES
Park Service Alerts & Conditions.Park hours & fees update
**Park hours update** Canaveral National Seashore operating hours are changing to the winter hours of 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, beginning Sunday, October 13th. You may find updates like these on the park's webpage: www.nps.gov/canaThe National Park Service (NPS), 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, 2024, the entrance fees to the park will be $25 per vehicle or $20 per motorcycle and $15 per pedestrian/bicycle for a 7- day visit. An annual park pass will increase to $45. All 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. We share the other 20 percent of entry fee income with other national parks for their projects.
PRESS RELEASES
Carmen Thomson new Canaveral National Seashore Superintendent
CLICK HERE for the PDF Press Release
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.
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.
- 2014 Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement
- The National Park Service featured us as the "National Park Getaway" of the week on December 14, 2011.
- July 23, 2014: Tourism to Canaveral National Seashore creates $68 million in Economic Benefit
Report shows visitor spending supports 906 jobs in local economy- RESEARCH PAPERS & ABSTRACTS: - 2002 Mosquito Lagoon Conference -- Listed Species on the Merritt Island NWR
Points of Interest
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.
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.
WHAT WE OFFER
Friends of Canaveral Facebook
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.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Horse use is restricted to Apollo Beach (north). There is no horse use at Playalinda Beach (south). INFORMATION -- UPDATETRAILS 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.
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.
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.
From the November 1, 2018 Friends of Canaveral Newsletter
- 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
2004 Hurricane Damage
INDEX OF WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTIONS
• LIVING WITH FLORIDA WILDLIFE •
• Space Coast Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Facilities •
• Directory of Florida Birding, Wildlife & Nature Festivals •
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival - January
Education Sites in North Brevard
Places to Go & Things to Do in and near North Brevard
Titusville Area Visitors Council
Space Coast Tourist Development Council
- Geology of Canaveral National Seashore
- National Park Service - Department of the Interior
- National Parks and Conservation Association
- National Wildlife Federation - website with description & featured species.
- about.com Trip Planner - Canaveral National Seashore
6/7/97.
