Recreation Centers & Community Sports Facilities · New Smyrna Beach
Canaveral National Seashore
- Parking available
- Wheelchair accessible parking
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Compiled from publicly available information and may change — please confirm directly with the business or organization.
- Location
- New Smyrna Beach
- Languages
- English
Story
Overview
Canaveral National Seashore, managed by the National Park Service, protects a dynamic barrier island on Florida's east coast shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. The seashore brings together nature and history: ancient Timucua shell mounds stand beside protected habitat where diverse plants and wildlife thrive. From Apollo Beach, 24 miles of undeveloped beach stretch south — the longest stretch of natural coastline on the east coast of Florida.
Two Districts
The seashore has two districts, each with its own entrance station. The Apollo Beach District in the north is home to the Apollo Beach Visitor Center, Turtle Mound, and the Eldora State House. Playalinda Beach in the south lies a stone's throw from the northernmost rocket launch pads of Kennedy Space Center; vehicle pull-offs offer views of freshwater ponds and of launch pads 39A and 39B.
History
Turtle Mound is one of the most significant archeological sites on the east coast of Florida. Built by the Timucua over hundreds of years, mostly from oyster shells harvested from Mosquito Lagoon, it is one of the last remaining intact mounds of its kind; a boardwalk leads to its top. At Seminole Rest, a loop trail circles a 14-foot Timucua shell mound with two historic homes at its top.
In the 1890s, more than one hundred people lived along the lagoon in a village called Fairview, with a school and a post office. Hard freezes in 1895 and 1900 killed the orange groves, and after 1910 the village became a winter retreat known as Eldora. The Eldora State House, the last remaining home of that era, was restored by the Friends of Canaveral in a ten-year project that began in the 1980s.
Wildlife
More than 5,000 sea turtle nests are laid along the seashore each summer. Visitors may spot gopher tortoise burrows and bobcat tracks in the dunes, brown pelicans diving for fish, and, in winter, endangered right whales offshore.
Products & services
Entrance Passes
7-day passes: $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle (up to 2 motorcycles, 4 passengers), and $15 per person on foot or bicycle (age 16 and over; under 16 free). A Canaveral National Seashore annual pass is $45. Passes are sold only at the Apollo Beach and Playalinda Beach entrance stations or online. The park is cashless: credit/debit cards and touchless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay) only.
Apollo Beach Visitor Center
Interpretive displays, a gift shop, and an auditorium showing the closed-captioned park video. The building, pavilion, and dock are fully wheelchair accessible.
Beaches
Beach access from numbered parking areas at Apollo Beach and Playalinda Beach, with a limited number of RV parking spaces at both. Snorkeling is allowed. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Historic Sites & Trails
Turtle Mound, the Eldora State House, Castle Windy Trail leading to the Castle Windy archeological site on Mosquito Lagoon, and the Seminole Rest Historic Site loop trail.
Canoe & Kayak Rentals
Canoes and kayaks for day use from the Apollo Beach Visitor Center between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., returned by 2 p.m.; canoes are also available overnight for campers.
Island Camping
14 backcountry island campsites in Mosquito Lagoon, reserved up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov.
Backcountry Hiking
Hiking in the Klondike Beach backcountry area with a permit from the Apollo Beach or Playalinda Beach entrance station.
Horseback Riding
Beach riding with a $75 Special Park Use permit, outside sea turtle nesting season; limited to 6 horses and 2 trailers, with a valid Coggins certificate for each horse. Reservations by phone.
Turtle Watch Programs
Summer turtle watch programs, reserved online through the Friends of Canaveral.
Ranger Programs & Education
Ranger programs listed on the park calendar, plus field trip information for schools.
Special Use Permits
Permits for weddings and other special uses.
Accessibility Services
Accessible parking at the beach access ramps, a beach wheelchair available at the Apollo Beach Visitor Center for two-hour use, a wheelchair-accessible loop trail at Seminole Rest, an audio-described park brochure, and audio tours of Apollo Beach, Turtle Mound, and Eldora.
Location
7611 S. Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL, 32169
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