Turtle Mound is a shell midden (a mound of animals bones and refuse such as shells) deposited there by the Indians. These nomadic Indians once lived in the area, calling the Canaveral National Seashore area home. This one-way road of crushed coquina is well maintained and meanders along the inland eco-systems providing habitat for a wide variety of local and migratory wildlife.Īt Apollo Beach, historic Turtle Mound provides some insight into the ways of life of the Timucuan people. If time allows during your visit, consider taking a leisurely tour of the six-mile-long Black Point Wildlife Drive, off State Road 402. Some of those endangered or threatened species might be glimpsed during the drive to the beach which provides several parking locations for stopping and taking photographs. These, and other endangered species are frequently encountered in the Canaveral National Seashore and adjacent Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Its skies are the territory of such birds as the southern bald eagle and the peregrine falcon, on the land can be found the eastern indigo and gopher tortoise, and its waters are the refuge of manatees. The wildlife refuge is home to 13 species of endangered or threatened species of wildlife. These eggs will hatch in the late summer and early fall, so avoid walking on or setting up your day at the beach plans near these nests. As common to this area of Florida, a variety of sea turtles come ashore during the night, dig nests with their flippers and deposit eggs starting in late May. Visitors should heed signs that warn them away from certain areas and structures within the park.Ĭanaveral is the birthing place for hundreds of sea turtles annually. ![]() In addition, since Playalinda Beach is adjacent to NASA property, security regulations are closely followed. Depending on the launch type, closures vary in duration, but it reopens the day following a launch. Playalinda Beach, which begins at the junction of State Road 402 and the Atlantic Ocean, near Titusville, has room for 1,100 vehicles.īecause of its proximity to Kennedy Space Center, Playalinda Beach and the entire Merritt Island Wildlife Refugecloses during launch preparations. There is no roadside parking or stopping allowed in this National Park, so be sure to use the designated parking areas when visiting.Ībout 300 parking spaces are available at Apollo Beach on the north end, seven miles south of New Smyrna Beach on State Road A1A. Early morning is the best time to get to this popular destination especially on holiday weekends when some of the lots fill up fast. The park charges a small admission fee at both the entrance located near Titusville, and the northern entrance South of New Smyrna Beach. Everything you need for your activities will have to be hauled several hundred yards from the parking lot to the beach, which is reached by crossing over board-walked dunes covered with sea oats and palmettos. The beaches of the Canaveral National Seashore Apollo, Playalinda and Klondike are not as convenient as popular ”motorized” beaches found to the North in Daytona or New Smyrna. These areas have been left in a state as close to “natural” as possible in a publicly accessible park. The shoreline and accompanying inland areas provide numerous eco-systems which support abundant wildlife. What you will find at the Canaveral National Seashore are pristine beaches of large-grained sand, heaped into dunes protecting the area from occasionally rough seas. Visitors should plan to bring not only water to drink during their visit, but additional water for rinsing after a day on the beach. There are restrooms provided absent of running water at the parking areas. No drinking fountains, sinks, or showers to rinse from your beach activities. The Canaveral National Seashore, situated south of New Smyrna Beach to Titusville, includes 3 beaches ( Apollo, Klondike & Playalinda), and is one of the last of the Florida wildernesses areas.Ī notable amenity also missing from the usual beachside experience is fresh water. But that’s part of what keeps the 23 miles of pure Florida sand so unique. There are no cars on the beach, no places to rent rafts or buy sodas, no pier parties, no condos, no surf shops, no motels or lights. This coastal area is easily accessed from Orlando or those travelling Interstate 95 ( see map), but don’t expect the usual beach amenities. The pristine beaches of the Canaveral National Seashore (spanning Brevard and Volusia counties) provides a unique opportunity for those seeking the “Old Florida” experience. Florida’s Canaveral National Seashore is one of the top destinations for locals and visitors to Florida’s East-central area alike.
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