U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo: Florida Scrub Jay, credit USFWS Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Merritt Island NWR is an overlay of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center where the world’s most advanced technology launched man to the moon, and today, continues space exploration. Alongside NASA and other agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps conserve space for over 500 different species of wildlife and 1000 species of plants in Central Florida. Contained within this 35-mile long barrier island is a rich abundance of plants and animals from both the subtropical and temperate climate zones. The refuge is strategically located on the Atlantic Flyway, a major bird migration corridor, and it is a key resting stop for many migratory bird species. Merritt Island NWR’s habitats support one of the highest numbers of endangered and threatened species found within the refuges of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This unique relationship the refuge shares with NASA bears testimony that nature and technology can coexist. For Further Information Refuge Manager Merritt Island NWR P .O. Box 2683 Titusville, FL 32781 Phone: 321/867 0667 Visitor Center: 321/861 0669 Email: [email protected]http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ merritt_island In Case of Emergency 321/867 7911 Canaveral National Seashore Headquarters: 321/267 1110 Canaveral National Seashore Closure Info: 321/867 4077 Kennedy Space Center Information: 866/737 5235 Pole and Troll Zone Pine Flatwoods Trail Sendler Education Outpost Haulover Canal Manatee Observation Deck Beacon42 WSEG Blue Heron Wetlands Treatment Facility New Smyrna Beach Edgewater Oak Hill Mims Titusville Port St. John Scottsmoor Canaveral National Seashore Visitor Information Center APOLLO BEACH CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE PLAYALINDA BEACH ATLANTIC OCEAN Eddy Creek Pump House Rd. Black Point Wildlife Drive E. Gator Creek Rd. Peacocks Pocket Peacocks Pocket Rd. INDIAN RIVER LAGOON INDIAN RIVER LAGOON CAPE CANAVERAL Kennedy Space Center (Public access controlled) Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Open to public via 3 and 405) Oak & Palm Hammock Trails Scrub Ridge Trail Kennedy Parkway Vehicle Assembly Building Canaveral National Seashore Headquarters To Daytona Beach To Orlando To Orlando To Melbourne To Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral Air Station Port Canaveral Cocoa Exit 249 Exit 244 Exit 220 Exit 215 Exit 212 Exit 205 Exit 202 Exit 223 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge No Motorized Boats Refuge Visitor Center 1 1 1 44 A1A 406 406 50 50 405 402 3 3 3 A1A 407 528 528 528 401 46 442 5A 3 Legend Refuge boundary Major highways Paved roads 2-way unpaved roads Foot trails Intracoastal Waterway Wildlife Drive (fee) Pole and troll zone No motor zone Open to the public Closed to the public Interpre�ve trail Informa�on sta�on Boat launch Fee sta�on Observa�on tower Restrooms Traffic light Cruickshank Trail 95 95 95 Volusia County Brevard County Bairs Cove St. John's National Wildlife Refuge Exit 208 Gator Creek Rd. MOSQUITO LAGOON Wi ld Bi r d T r a i l 405 INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY Bio Lab Rd. Bio Lab Rd. Launch Complex 39B No public access No public access NASA Parkway Space Commerce Way Banana River Manatee Sanctuary Restricted Area No entry Launch Complex 39A W. Gator Creek Rd. Enchanted Forest Beachline Expressway
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2-way unpaved roads Canaveral National Seashore Visitor ......Beach To Orlando To Orlando To Melbourne To Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral Air Station Port Canaveral Cocoa. Exit 249 Exit
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
photo: Florida Scrub Jay, credit USFWS
Merritt Island National Wildlife RefugeMerritt Island NWR is an overlay of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center where the world’s mostadvanced technology launched man to the moon, and today, continues space exploration. Alongside NASA and other agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps conserve space for over 500 different species of wildlife and 1000 species of plants in Central Florida.
Contained within this 35-mile long barrier island is a rich abundance of plants and animals from both the subtropical and temperate climate zones. The refuge is strategically located on the Atlantic Flyway, a major bird migration corridor, and it is a key resting stop for many migratory bird species.
Merritt Island NWR’s habitats support one of the highest numbers of endangered and threatened species found within the refuges of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This unique relationship the refuge shares with NASA bears testimony that nature and technology can coexist.
For Further InformationRefuge Manager Merritt Island NWRP.O. Box 2683Titusville, FL 32781
Canaveral National Seashore Headquarters: 321/267 1110
Canaveral National Seashore Closure Info: 321/867 4077
Kennedy Space Center Information: 866/737 5235
Pole andTroll Zone
Pine Flatwoods
Trail
Sendler EducationOutpost
Haulover Canal
ManateeObservation
Deck
Beacon 42
WSEG
Blue Heron WetlandsTreatment
Facility
New Smyrna Beach
Edgewater
OakHill
Mims
Titusville
Port St. John
Scottsmoor
Canaveral NationalSeashore Visitor
Information Center
APOLLO BEACH
CANAVERAL
NATIONAL SEASHORE
PLAYALINDA BEACH
ATLANTIC OCEAN
EddyCreek
PumpHouse
Rd.
Black PointWildlife Drive
E. GatorCreek
Rd.
PeacocksPocket
PeacocksPocketRd.
INDIAN
RIVERLAGOON
INDIAN
RIVER LAGOON
CAPECANAVERAL
KennedySpace Center
(Public accesscontrolled)
KennedySpace Center
Visitor Complex(Open to public
via 3 and 405)
Oak & PalmHammock
Trails
ScrubRidgeTrailKennedy Parkway
VehicleAssemblyBuilding
CanaveralNationalSeashore
Headquarters
To DaytonaBeach
ToOrlando
ToOrlando
ToMelbourne
ToCocoaBeach
Cape CanaveralAir Station
Port Canaveral
Cocoa
Exit249
Exit244
Exit220
Exit215
Exit212
Exit205
Exit202
Exit223
Merritt IslandNational Wildlife Refuge
No MotorizedBoats
Refuge VisitorCenter
1
1
1
44A1A
406
406
5050
405
402
3
3
3
A1A
407
528
528
528401
46
442
5A
3
LegendRefuge boundaryMajor highwaysPaved roads2-way unpaved roadsFoot trailsIntracoastal WaterwayWildlife Drive (fee)Pole and troll zone
No motor zone
Open to the public
Closed to the public
Interpre�ve trail
Informa�on sta�on
Boat launch
Fee sta�on
Observa�on tower
Restrooms
Traffic light
CruickshankTrail
95
95
95
Volusia CountyBrevard County
BairsCove
St. John'sNational Wildlife
Refuge
Exit208
GatorCreek
Rd.
MOSQUITO
LAGOON
Wild Bird Trail
405
INTRACOASTAL
WATERW
AY
Bio LabRd.
Bio Lab
Rd.
LaunchComplex 39B
No publicaccess
No publicaccess
NASA Parkway
SpaceCommerce
Way
Banana RiverManateeSanctuary
RestrictedArea
No entry LaunchComplex 39A
W. GatorCreek
Rd.
EnchantedForest
BeachlineExpressway
Visitor CenterHighly recommended for the first-time visitor. For visitor center hours visit the refuge website, Facebook page or call 321/861 0669. The Center is located on SR 402, five miles east of U.S. 1 in Titusville. The Center offers:nRefuge Maps and InformationnWildlife and Habitat DisplaysnAuditorium for Movies and ProgramsnBookstorenEducational Resources
Beach LineExpressway
DaytonaBeach
New SmyrnaBeach
TitusvilleKennedy
Space CenterOrlando
CocoaBeach
Melbourne
Cocoa
Merritt Island NationalWildlife Refuge/
Canaveral National Seashore
Orlando InternationalAirport
CapeCanaveral
To WaltDisneyWorld
Florida’s Turnpike
N
Kilo
0 20Miles
200
192
44
50417 407
406402
405
528
A1A
A1A
4
4
95
95
US 1
Exit 220
Refuge FeesThe purchase of the Refuge Daily Pass for $10.00 per vehicle is required to enter the Black Point Wildlife Drive and Bio Lab Road. To launch a boat at Bairs Cove, Beacon 42 and Bio Lab boat ramps requires the purchase of the Refuge Daily Pass. The Refuge Daily Pass is valid at all refuge fee sites and for entry to Canaveral National Seashore. The daily fee is collected on an honor system and can be purchased at all refuge fee areas and the Refuge Visitor Center. Cash or check is required and credit cards are not accepted.
Refuge Daily Pass: $10.00 per vehicle (includes motorcycles)
Individuals on foot or bicycle: $1.00 per day
Merritt Island NWR Annual Pass: $25.00. For an additional $20.00 this pass can be upgraded to Canaveral National Seashore’s Annual Pass at Canaveral’s Playalinda and Apollo Beach Fee booths.
America the Beautiful Access Pass: Free for medically authorized individuals.
America the Beautiful Senior Annual Pass: $20.00
America the Beautiful Senior Lifetime Pass: $80.00
America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80.00
America the Beautiful Military Pass: Free to U.S. military members and their dependents of most military branches with proper military ID.
Federal Duck Stamps: $25.00
Black Point Wildlife DriveThis 7-mile, one-way drive travels through salt and freshwater marshes and is located on SR 406, one mile east of the intersection of SR 402 and SR 406. A $10.00 Refuge Daily Pass is sold on an honor system at the drive’s entrance. Pick up an auto tour brochure at the drive’s entrance or at the Refuge Visitor Center. The brochure includes numbered stops describing the natural history and management of the area. Wading birds, shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl, alligators, otters and other wildlife species can be observed. The Wild Bird Trail (1/4 mile round trip) is located at Stop # 4. Located at Stop #9 are: parking lot, restrooms, observation tower, wheel chair accessible platform, and the trail head to Cruickshank Trail (five mile loop).
Wildlife Observation and PhotographyThe main route to view wildlife is Black Point Wildlife Drive. Hiking trails, towers, decks and dike roads marked on the map offer excellent, alternative wildlife viewing, especially in the fall and winter. One of the best ways for viewing wildlife on the refuge is by canoe or kayak.
RestroomsRestrooms are located at the Refuge Visitor Center, Stop #9 along Black Point Wildlife Drive and Playalinda Beach.
photo: A roseate spoonbill wades through brackish water on Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, credit Bill Nunn.
Beach AccessCanaveral National Seashore offers 24 miles of pristine, undeveloped beach for sunbathing, swimming, wading, surfing, fishing, and hiking. Horseback riding is permitted November 1 through April 15 by obtaining a special use permit. There are not any designated picnic areas, telephones, food services, beach showers, or drinking water. An entrance fee is charged at the fee station. See Refuge Fees for details. For current beach information, call 321/867 4077.
Foot TrailsHiking the refuge is most pleasant during the fall, winter, and early spring. Seven walking trails are marked on the map.
nVisitor Center Boardwalk easy - 1/4 mile Loop - 15 minutes - Along this short accessible trail, visitors will see native vegetation and potentially wildlife including birds and alligators
nOak Hammock Trail easy - 3/4 mile Loop - 20-30 minutes - Enticing visitors into a walk in the woods through a thicket of ferns under the shade of live oaks, the Oak Hammock Trail provides an easy introduction to one of the most pleasant habitats – the hammock.
nPalm Hammock Trail easy - 2 mile Loop - 40-50 minutes - Palm Hammock Trail treats you to a lush forest of mature saw palmettos under a dense canopy of live oaks on the way to an island of cabbage palms surrounded by marshes.
n Scrub Ridge Trail moderate - 1 mile Loop - 30-40 minutes - This easy trail leads visitors through some of the most unique habitat in Florida. Starting on a solid sandy limestone trail, visitors will stroll between a freshwater impoundment and scrub habitat.
nCruickshank Trail and Tower moderate - 5 mile Loop - 2 hours - Allan Cruickshank Memorial Trail honors Cruickshank who advocated for the protection of sweeping wet landscapes when NASA began plans for Kennedy Space Center. This open sunny trail offers wide vistas from atop dike roads with views out over the marshes. Good birding opportunities. Bring water and insect repellent.
n Wild Bird Trail easy - 1/4 mile Round Trip - 30 minutes - Along Black Point Wildlife Drive. Wild Birds Unlimited Trail is a short flat trail connecting two great bird observation platforms overlooking the marshes.
n Pine Flatwood Trail moderate - 1 mile Loop - 30-40 minutes - The trail follows established fire break roads. The pine flatwoods ecosystem is dominated by fire tolerant plants such as slash pine, several species of scrub oaks, saw palmetto, gall berry and wire grass.
Manatee Observation DeckManatees frequent this spot when the water is warm and can be seen reliably in spring and summer. The deck is located 10.5 miles north of the Visitor Center off SR 3 at Haulover Canal.
Wheelchair AccessibilitynRefuge Visitor Center and Boardwalk (1/4 mile loop)
nManatee Observation Deck
nKayak launch dock at Biolab boat ramp
n Observation Deck at refuge entrance on SR 406
n Beach Access at Eddy Creek (Parking Lot # 8) at Playalinda Beach
Boat LaunchesMotorboats, canoes and kayaks may be used for wildlife observation, fishing and hunting. Boat speed regulations are in effect in several areas for manatee protection. Boat launching is limited to designated launch areas. A $10.00 Refuge Daily Pass is required to launch a boat from Bairs Cove, Bio Lab and Beacon 42 boat ramps. The Refuge Daily Pass is sold on an honor system at each site, cash or check only. For details see Refuge Fees.nBairs Cove - Haulover CanalnBeacon 42 - Mosquito Lagoonn WSEG - Mosquito Lagoon (No Fee)n Bio Lab - Mosquito LagoonnEddy Creek - Mosquito Lagoon
General Refuge RegulationsnThe refuge is open sunrise to sunset daily.
nAir boats, jet skis and ATVs are not permitted.
n Carrying, possessing fireworks or explosives is prohibited. Persons possessing firearms on National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all provisions of State and Local laws.
nFeeding, watering, enticing or disturbing alligators, manatees and other wildlife is not permitted.
nCamping, open fires and barbeque grills are not permitted on the refuge.
nPets are permitted on the refuge, but must be leashed and under control at all times.
nHorses are not permitted on the refuge, but are permitted at the North District of Canaveral National Seashore in New Smyrna Beach from November 1 through April 15.
nReleasing of any wild or domestic animals onto the refuge is prohibited.
nCollecting of any animals, plants, artifacts and natural features is prohibited, other than legally taken fish or waterfowl.
nFishing and crabbing are permitted on the refuge in accordance with state and refuge regulations. A refuge permit is required for both recreational and commercial fishing. Fishing is allowed in the open waters of the Indian River Lagoon, Banana River, Mosquito Lagoon, mosquito control impoundments and interior lakes. Fishing is prohibited along Black Point Wildlife Drive and its adjacent dike roads except for L Pond Road.
n Two pole and troll zones are located in Mosquito Lagoon. Operation of internal combustion engines is not allowed within the zones and vessels drafting more than 12” may not enter. Electric trolling motors and non-motorized power sources such as push poles or paddles are permitted.
nWaterfowl hunting is permitted November through January in designated hunt areas. A refuge permit and hunter safety certification is required. State, federal and refuge regulations apply.