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When you want a natural escapade away from the bustling city life, why not head over to Canaveral National Seashore to enjoy the pristine natural views with family or friends.

An overview of Canaveral National Seashore

The Canaveral National Seashore covers up to 58,000 acres of land with pine flat woods, a barrier island, offshore waters, a coastal hammock, and an open lagoon. With 24 miles of pristine beach, it is the ideal habitat for several threatened and endangered species. It serves as nesting beaches for several protected marine turtles.

Around two-thirds of the park is in Mosquito Lagoon which is designated as an estuary of natural standing and an exceptional Florida waterway.

When it comes to activities you can do, you have various options to choose from – bask under the sun at Apollo Beach or Playalinda Beach or discover the notable Turtle Mound or Seminole Rest Historic Site which are home to enormous Timucuan shell mounds.

The location is a recreational paradise where you can enjoy horseback riding, back-country camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, surfing, boating, swimming, and birdwatching opportunities.

Planning your trip to Canaveral National Seashore

If you are planning to visit Canaveral National Seashore, planning is important to make the most out of your visit.

During summer, expect hot and humid weather. As for the winter months, the temperatures can range in the 40-70 degrees along with ‘cold spells’ where the temperature drops to the mid-30s.

You can reach Canaveral National Seashore via two entrance stations – at Apollo Beach via New Smyrna and Playalinda Beach via Titusville. Check out the park entrance fees and annual passes here.

Food and accommodations

Canaveral National Seashore does not have any vendors or restaurants inside the park that offer food services. At Apollo Beach, there is a drink machine at the visitor center. At Playalinda Beach, there is a drink machine close to the entrance station.

The seashore stretches into two communities where you can find food and dining options. If you are visiting Apollo Beach, you can find dining options in New Smyrna Beach. In case you are going to drop by at Playalinda Beach, you might want to check out dining options here.

If you want to go on camping, there is primitive-style camping on the islands in Mosquito Lagoon that you can access in the Apollo Beach District or via local boat ramps. For backcountry camping, you need a permit and reservations. Additionally, you need to have a boat or rent a canoe for some specific campsites.

Activities at Canaveral National Seashore

Let us now take a close look at several activities at Canaveral National Seashore.

Apollo Beach Visitor Center

The visitor center is open from 9 AM – 5 PM, seven days a week. During your visit, do not forget to grab a brochure or a Junior Ranger book. Check out the schedules here.

Visit the Eldora Community and Seminole Rest Historic Site

Enjoy a walk casually through the century-old live oaks to reach the community of Eldora. Envision yourself relaxing on the terrace or catch the glorious sunset over Mosquito Lagoon. As for the Seminole Rest Historic Site, it tells the story of the Timucua Indians along with pioneer settlement and preservation of cultures. The famous shell mound, the main house’s foundation, and the caretaker’s house are 13 feet tall which includes over 90% quahog clam shells left behind by the Timucua as refuse.

Backcountry Island Camping

At Canaveral National Seashore, there are primitive island camping on 14 islands in Mosquito Lagoon. To learn more about this activity, click here.

Nature

• Canaveral National Seashore offers a diverse and fascinating variety of terrestrial and aquatic animals. The park serves as a habitat for threatened or endangered animals. You can check out the list of animals here. The park is also a popular spot to enjoy birding. You can also enjoy outstanding fishing in Mosquito Lagoon and the ocean surf.
• There are over 1,000 plant species in the park and surrounding area. Due to its location along the ‘frost line’, Canaveral National Seashore boasts a distinct combination of temperate and subtropical plants. To learn more about plant life in the park, click here.

Trail hiking adventures

You can choose from several walking paths during the visit that will take you on a wilderness retreat.

• Seminole Rest Trail. The half-mile route boasts 2,000 years of history from Timucuan First Natives to Reconstructions Era settlers to the present.
• Hike Castle Windy Trail. Situated in Apollo Beach, the trail is situated on the west section of the road and covers a half-mile to Mosquito Lagoon.

Beach activities

Whether you want to bask under the sun to get a tan, unwind with a good book or enjoy the sparkling waters, it will be a beach adventure that you will surely enjoy. An extra perk is the chance to view a rocket launch. You might get to view rocket launches during park operating hours. Get ready for your stay at the beach by bringing along food, water, beach chairs, sunscreen, a hat, and extra water to rinse off since there are no showers available except at Apollo Beach parking area 1.

Boating

There are several boat launching locations within Canaveral National Seashore. Check out the locations here.

Leave No Trace

Make sure that you will pack up trash while at the beach and dispose of it in trash cans in the parking areas. The Leave No Trace is a program designed to help outdoor enthusiasts with their decisions on reducing their impact while camping, hiking, picnicking, fishing or paddling.

Final thoughts

If you want to take a break from city life and enjoy the rough beauty of the outdoors with family or friends, it might be time to check out what Canaveral National Seashore has to offer. With the variety of outdoor activities available, everyone will find the right activity that they love. Make great outdoor memories at Canaveral National Seashore.