Canaveral National Seashore
Protected park · FL, USA
Canaveral National Seashore in FL, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Quick answers
- Is there a nursing room or baby care at Canaveral National Seashore?
- Mapped for this park: 1 changing table. Details
- When is Canaveral National Seashore open?
- Usually Mon–Sun 6:00–18:00. Details
- When is the best time to visit Canaveral National Seashore?
- By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, November, and December. Details
- How much does it cost to get in?
- Published entrance fees: $15 per person, $20 for a motorcycle, and $25 for a private vehicle. Details
- Where do you park?
- The park lists 13 parking areas with 991 spaces in all; the largest, Playalinda Beach Parking Lot 8, has 116. Details
When is Canaveral National Seashore open?
- Mon–Sun 6:00–18:00
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself in a protected sanctuary where diverse plants and wildlife thrive—making Canaveral National Seashore a place where nature, history, and discovery come together.
This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Wheelchair-accessible facilities, Store / concessions, Visitor center.
Nursing and baby care
Mapped for this park: 1 changing table.
- Apollo Beach Visitor Center
When is the best time to visit Canaveral National Seashore?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, November, and December.
The weather works against it in June, July, and August.
The warmest month is August, with average highs near 84°F (29°C); the coolest is January, near 68°F (20°C).
June is the wettest month, with about 7.7 in (196 mm) of precipitation in a typical June.
Getting in to Canaveral National Seashore: fees and parking
Published entrance fees: $15 per person, $20 for a motorcycle, and $25 for a private vehicle.
The park lists 13 parking areas with 991 spaces in all; the largest, Playalinda Beach Parking Lot 8, has 116.
50 accessible spaces are marked across 13 parking areas.
Official facts
Adjacent protected waters: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. National Wildlife Refuge, Zoned w/No Take Areas, 524 km².
Protected waters: 237 km². None of it is no-take.
Boating: Vessel use restricted; anchoring unrestricted.
Fishing: Commercial and Recreational Fishing Restricted.
Conservation focus: Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage. Protects the whole ecosystem. Site-Specific Management Plan.
IUCN category: V (Protected landscape or seascape).
Protection level: Uniform Multiple Use.
Marine protection: National Seashore. Listed as "Canaveral National Seashore" in NOAA's Marine Protected Areas Inventory, managed by National Park Service, established 1975.
What's on at Canaveral National Seashore
The park's own calendar lists four dated events from November 8 to November 12, 2026.
One of the four one-day events fall on a weekend.
By kind, the calendar holds four regular events.
All of the listed start times are in the morning, from 9 am to 11 am.
Events
- Shark Talk (Playalinda District)
- Seashore Secrets (Playalinda District)
- Mollusks of the Lagoon (Seminole Rest District)
- Seashore 101 (Apollo District)
Before you go
- Disability access
- This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.
- Limits
- Effective January 8, 2016, a Special Park Use permit is required to ride horses on Canaveral National Seashore
- Limits
- Service animals are allowed in all facilities and on all trails unless an area has been closed by the superintendent to protect park resources
- Limits
- You must be at least 21 to consume alcohol
- Limits
- Yes, but glass containers are prohibited
- Getting there
- Canaveral National Seashore is located along Florida's East coast in both Volusia & Brevard counties. To access Apollo Beach - take I-95 to exit 249, then go east until it turns into A1A. Follow A1A south to the park entrance. To access Playalinda Beach - take I-95 to exit 220. Go east through Titusville on Garden Street, continue east and follow the signs.
- Weather & when to go
- Summer: Hot & humid (Temperatures average in the 90's) Winter months: Temperatures in the 40–70-degree range, with a "cold spell" where temperatures lower to the mid-30's). Hurricane Season: June 1st through November 30th (most activity normally occurs in August through October)
- Park alert: Operating Hours
- The seashore is currently operating on the hours of 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Last entry into the seashore is at 5:00 pm.
- ⚠ Caution: Beat the Heat
- Make sure to take hot weather into consideration. Carry water and use sunscreen to reduce the risk of heat injuries during your visit.
- Park alert: For entrance fees, we accept digital passes and credit/debit cards
- Digital passes or credit/debit cards are the ONLY method of payment at all fee collection areas. Pre-paid digital passes are available online and may be purchased in advance.
- ⚠ Caution: VISITOR ALERT - Traffic Pattern Changes at Playalinda Beach
- November 7 & November 8, 2026 Visitors entering Playalinda Beach should expect temporary traffic-pattern changes and heavier-than-normal traffic on Kennedy Space Center roadways. •Allow extra travel time. •Bring food, water, hats and sunscreen. •Follow all posted signs and directions from law-enforcement and park staff. •Expect delays near the entrance and surrounding roadways. •Do not stop or park along road shoulders. •Traffic will be directed with both lanes going one way in morning & afternoon.
- ⚠ Park closure: Playalinda District: Parking Lot #8-13
- Attention Visitors:Due to strong winds and sand and water on the road, the following areas of the Playalinda District of Canaveral National Seashore are temporarily closed to all visitor use, including driving, walking, and biking: The main Playalinda road north of Eddy Creek. Parking Lots #8-13 The beach north of Eddy Creek boardwalk No backcountry hiking permits will be issued during this closure. Please follow posted signs and staff directions and stay out of closed areas.
- ⚠ Caution: Rip Currents and Rough Surf
- Remember that rough surf is dangerous & rip currents can be deadly. Please use caution when swimming at Canaveral National Seashore.
- Visitor center
- Apollo Beach Visitor Center — Normal visitor center hours: open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (except Christmas day). — From I-95, take exit 249 & head east on SR-44 toward New Smyrna Beach. The road turns into Atlantic Avenue (A1A) once you go over the bridge and are then on the barrier island. The road then curves to the right (heading south). Stay on A1A for approximately 8 miles to the park entrance station.
- Visitor center
- Apollo Beach Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Apollo Beach Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Apollo Beach Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Seminole Rest Entrance
- Visitor center
- Seminole Rest Wayside, The Timucuan Way of Life
Facilities on the park map
5 benches, 1 changing table, 1 first aid kit, 3 picnic areas, 9 restrooms, 6 visitor information.
Where to stay
- Canaveral National Seashore Backcountry Island Camping
History
- Opened
- 1975
- Park opened