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 Canaveral National Seashore is on a barrier island which includes ocean, beach, dune, hammock, lagoon, salt marsh, and pine flatland habitats. The barrier island and adjacent waterways offer a blend of plant and animal life. Records show that 1,045 species of plants and 310 species of birds can be found in the park. Endangered species include, but are not limited to, loggerhead, green and leatherback sea turtles, West Indian Manatee, Southern bald eagle, wood stork, peregrine falcon, eastern indigo snake, and Florida scrub jay. The park has two districts and the Seminole Rest Site. The North District is in Volusia County, near New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Seminole Rest is also located in Volusia County in Oak Hill, Florida. The South District, in Brevard County is near Titusville, Florida. Visitors may enjoy walking the nature and historical trails during the cool winter months. Throughout the year opportunity for recreational activities include; lagoon and surf fishing, boating, canoeing, surfing, sunbathing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding and backcountry camping.
ACCESSIBILITY
New Smyrna Beach, FL - North District: Accessible ramps to the beach are located at Parking Areas 1A and 5. The Information Center is accessible. All restroom facilities are accessible. In the North District - A beach wheelchair is available. Ask at the Information Center. Assistance is required. There is an accessible trail leading to Turtle Mound Archeological Site. The boardwalk at Turtle Mound is accessible with assistance. Seminole Rest - River Road, Oak Hill, FL - Seminole Rest Trail is accessible to those visitors with walking disabilities. The accessible trail includes benches along the half mile trail that provide rest areas for park visitors. The restrooms are identified for those that have visual disabilities. Titusville, FL - South District: Parking Areas at Eddy Creek and #8 are accessible. In the South District a beach wheelchair is available. You must have assistance to use the chair. Ask at the Entrance Station.
FACTS
Acreage
Gross Area Acres for FY 2004 - Not Yet Reported
Gross Area Acres for FY 2003 - 57,662
Gross Area Acres for FY 2002 - 57,662
Visitation
Total Recreation Visits for FY 2004- Not Yet Reported
Total Recreation Visits for FY 2003- 1,015,058
Total Recreation Visits for FY 2002- 1,042,091
Budget
FY 2004 Annual Budget is $2,212,000
FY 2003 Annual Budget is $2,219,000
FY 2002 Annual Budget is $2,223,000
FOR KIDS
Lifeguarded beaches located at Parking Areas 1 and 2 at either end of the park is just the ticket for children who want to spend hot summer days at the beach. In the fall and winter the beaches are still neat places to visit. Sea beans from all over the world can be found on the beaches within Canaveral National Seashore. Be sure to look through the seaweed laying on the beach for these long distance travelers.
Junior Ranger Program
Canaveral National Seashore has three different Junior Ranger Programs for children ages 6 to 12.
BASIC JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM - This program is for children who live nearby or visit the park often. Children are required to attend three park programs, pick up a bag of trash on the beach and do a special project of their own design showing what they have learned during programs. After completion of all activities children are awarded a Junior Ranger patch and certificate.
ONE-DAY JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM - This program is for children who visit the park for one day. The child may pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Book at the Information Center or the South District Entrance Station. Once he/she has completed the activities and returns the book, they will receive a Junior Ranger Decal.
JUNIOR RANGER ON-LINE - This program is for children who may never get to visit the park or who may be planning on a visit some time in the future. Children may visit our web-site, print a copy of the Junior Ranger On-Line form. Once all the questions have been answered, mail it to the Junior Ranger On-Line Coordinator as instructed on the form. The child will receive a certificate and Junior Ranger Decal.
Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) was created by an act of Congress on January 3rd, 1975 to "...preserve and protect the outstanding natural, scenic, scientific, ecologic, and historic values of certain lands, shorelines, and waters of the State of Florida and to provide for public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment of the same...". The park contains 58,000 acres of barrier island, open lagoon, coastal hammock, pine flatwoods and offshore waters along the east central coast of Florida. It represents an excellent example of a relatively stable barrier beach backed by a productive lagoon system.
The park's 24 miles of undeveloped beach is the longest such stretch on the east coast of Florida. 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. The park provides habitat for 14 federally-listed (Threatened and Endangered) animal species, ranking it second in the entire National Park Service. Three sea turtle species deposit approximately 4000 nests on the beach each year. Large numbers of waterfowl and wading birds utilize the Seashore as a migratory stopover and wintering ground. Located along the "frost line", the park contains a rich and unique mixture of subtropical and temperate plants found nowhere except central Florida.
CANA is superb example of a national park unit where interagency cooperation is paramount. Located at the northernmost end of Kennedy Space Center, approximately two-thirds of the park is owned by NASA and much of that is co-managed with the adjacent Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The park is working with these agencies on numerous projects such as feral hog control, exotic plant removal, restoration of impacted wetlands, long-term monitoring of natural resources and implementation of prescribed fire. Additional partnerships with state and local agencies include sea grass monitoring, mosquito control, water quality monitoring and law enforcement patrols.
Operating Hours & Seasons
Winter Hours: November - March 6:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.
Summer Hours: April - October 6:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M.
Getting There
Plane
Orlando International Airport, 1 Airport Blvd. Orlando, FL 32827 407-825-2001
Space Coast Regional Airport Titusville, FL 32780 321-267-8780
Car
North District: I-95 to State Road 44 (Exit 249), East on SR 44 to A1A, South on A1A nine miles to park entrance.
South District - I-95 to State Road 406 (Exit 220), 406 East to 402 East to Park Entrance Station.
Seminole Rest - From I-95 take County Road 5A (Exit 231) east to U.S. 1, U.S. 1 North to the Caution Light in Oak Hill, turn east onto Halifax Avenue to River Road. Turn North on River Road. Seminole Rest is two tenths of a mile on the east side of River Road.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation in the park. The park visitor may tour the park via private vehicle, bicycle, or on foot. Horseback riding is available in designated areas but the visitor must provide their own horse. A permit is required.
Getting Around
There is no public transportation in the park. Access is either via private vehicle, foot, bike, or horseback riding in designated areas. Horseback riding requires a permit.
Camping
Beach Camping
Open
Open From 11/01 To 04/30
Phone
386-428-3384 Ext. 10
Details
THERE IS NO RV OR TRAILER CAMPING AVAILABLE AT THIS SITE. Camp on the beach at Canaveral National Seashore. A camping permit is required. Reservations may be made by phone or in person up to 7 days in advance. Permits may be picked up anytime after you make your reservation, but must be in your possession prior to camping. Beach camping is closed during the summer when sea turtles are nesting.
Island Camping
Open
Open All Year
Phone
386-428-3384 Ext. 10
Details
THERE IS NO RV OR TRAILER CAMPING AT THIS SITE. Camp on one of eleven designated campsite islands in Mosquito Lagoon. There are no facilities at these sites. Reservations are required. Reservations may be made by phone or in person up to 7 days in advance. Permits may be picked up anytime after you make your reservation, but must be in your possession prior to camping. Winter months when the mosquitoes are less bothersome is the best time to utilize these primitive sites. Boats or canoes are required to get to the campsites.
ACTIVITY FEES
Daily Use Fee
Fees
$5.00 - Day
$35.00 - Annual
Details
Daily Use Fee: $5.00 per day per private vehicle. Annual Pass: $35.00
Individual - on foot or bike
Fees
$3.00 - Day
$35.00 - Annual
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