"Sunny beach, Canaveral National Seashore, 2015." by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
![]() | CanaveralNational Seashore - Florida |
The Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) is a National Seashore located between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, Florida, in Volusia and Brevard Counties. This 25 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach, dunes and Mosquito Lagoon is the longest expanse of undeveloped land along the East Coast of Florida and as a federally protected area will remain primarily as it is today.
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Official visitor map of Canaveral National Seashore (NS) in Florida. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).

Map of the U.S. National Park System. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).

Map of the U.S. National Park System with Unified Regions. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).

Map of the U.S. National Heritage Areas. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
https://www.nps.gov/cana/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canaveral_National_Seashore
The Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) is a National Seashore located between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, Florida, in Volusia and Brevard Counties. This 25 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach, dunes and Mosquito Lagoon is the longest expanse of undeveloped land along the East Coast of Florida and as a federally protected area will remain primarily as it is today.
Reflect on the pristine barrier island which is composed of dune, hammock, and lagoon habitat. Explore ancient Timucua shell mounds. Experience the sanctuary that is provided for thousands of species of plants and animals that call Canaveral National Seashore home.
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.
Apollo Beach Visitor Center
Canaveral National Seashore's Visitor Center is located at 7611 S. Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. Pick up a brochure or a Junior Ranger book. Get information about where to visit in the park. For more information call (386) 428 - 3384 extension 0.
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.
Canaveral National Seashore Backcountry Island Camping
Natural and spoil island campsites provide a variety of access and capacity options to those visitors who have their own boat, canoe or kayak. Please see the attached map for location and site numbers/names. Reservations and a permit are required for island campsites. Canoe rentals are available for sites one through five. Canoes are reserved by calling (386) 428-3384 extension zero, after you have made your camping reservation. Sites 6-14 may only be reached with a personal boat, canoe or kayak.
Backcountry Camping
20.00
Campsites are $20 per night.
Canoe Rental
25.00
Canoes are rented for campsite 1-5 only. Reserve a canoe by calling the Apollo Visitor Center at (386) 428-3384 extension zero. Reserve the campsite before reserving the canoe. Limit to two persons per canoe.
Lagoon Island Kayakers
Kayakers on the shore with water and sky in the background.
Photo from campsite #10.
Island Campsite
Island Campsite
Island campsite 9
Mosquito Lagoon Midday
Looking west over Mosquito Lagoon with saw palmetto and palm trees.
Looking west over Mosquito Lagoon.
Apollo Beach
Dune plants, beach, and ocean.
Enjoy a day at the beach.
Eldora State House
Eldora State House is an early 20th century homestead along Moquito Lagoon.
Eldora State House is an early 20th century homestead along Moquito Lagoon.
Park Entrance Sign
Park entrance sign with blue sky as a back drop.
Apollo Beach and Playalinda Beach both display this entrance sign before the entrance stations.
Apollo Visitor Center
On the dock facing the visitor center.
The Apollo Visitor Center as viewed from the dock.
Naval Air Station Training
The Daytona Naval Air Station trained flight crew and flight communicators at field training stations that were located in southern Volusia County. The training areas were located in the Canaveral National Seashore on the barrier island and in the Mosquito Lagoon.
Three Douglas SBD Dive Bombers Flying
Clifton School House
The Clifton School House was built between 1890 and 1891. It was the oldest known African American school in Brevard County. Two fathers ensured their children attend a proper school.
Clifton School House
2015 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards
Recipients of the 2015 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards
Shark Awareness
Before heading into the ocean, review some safety information to further minimize the chances of a shark encounter.
Shark and fish in the blue ocean waters
2019 Connecting with our Homelands Awardees
Hopa Mountain, in partnership with the National Park Service, is pleased to announce the 2019 awardees of the Connecting with our Homelands travel grants. Twenty-one Indigenous organizations, schools, and nonprofits have been awarded travel funds for trips to national park units across 12 states/territories within the United States.
An elder and young student talk while sitting on a rock.
2010 Freeman Tilden Award Recipients
Seven rangers were awarded with a national or regional 2010 Freeman Tilden Award for excellence in interpretation. Learn more about their exciting and innovative projects.
Portrait of John Kirkpatrick
Using Prescribed Fire to Restore Habitat for Threatened Florida Scrub Jay
Fire-adapted coastal scrub vegetation provides habitat for several federally listed species, including the Florida scrub jay. Canaveral National Seashore, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Kennedy Space Center support this rare habitat. In July 2012, the 3 agencies collaborated to complete a prescribed burn of coastal scrub and marsh. Objectives were to improve habitat for the scrub jay and other species, and to reduce dangerous fuel loads.
A Florida scrub jay sits on a branch.
NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Canaveral National Seashore, Florida
Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. [Site Under Development]
access road through dense trees
2014 Sea Turtle Annual Report Cape Hatteras
2014 annual report on sea turtle monitoring at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Green sea turtle returning to sea after laying her eggs.
Canaveral National Seashore Pre-Columbian People
Canaveral National Seashore has evidence of Late Archaic peoples such as the Timucuan and the Ais native american cultures beginning approximately 5,000 years ago. Remnants of shell refuse mounds and burial mounds tell us their stories. Archeologists have uncovered over 100 refuse shell mounds within the seashore, a testament to their life ways along Mosquito Lagoon.
Timucuan Community
Pedro Bustincuri
Spanish explorers found land in the Americas, but what happened to them was what they least expected.
Alberto Cantino's Map 1502
Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Services
Women volunteered during the WWII era joining the military to show their patriotism and played a vital role in winning the war.
Women in training
Veteran Story: Avia Woulard
Canaveral National Seashore's Interpretive Park Ranger Avia Woulard is a US Navy veteran of 20 years and still serves her country today.
Avia Woulard in her Navy uniform
Doris Leeper
An artist and a visionary Doris Leeper was able to share her art and the places that inspired her. Mentoring young artists she inspired them to pursue their passions and purpose. She so wanted to be known as an artist that everything she touched turned to art and inspiration.
Doris Leeper with her sculpture in the foreground.
Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality in Coastal Parks: Fixed Station Monitoring
Estuaries are the convergence of freshwater, delivered by rivers, to the ocean's salty sea water. The result is a delicate ecosystem providing existence for a multitude of fish and wildlife species. we have created the story map to help you learn more about how these estuaries formed, the potential issues they face, and the process of monitoring the water quality utilizing fixed station monitoring.
Waterbirds congregate in an estuary at sunset.
Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality in Coastal Parks: Park-wide Assessments
Estuaries located in national parks provide recreational experiences such as fishing and boating for park visitors. Therefore, knowing what's in the water can assist the park in its mission of managing such a critcal resource. The Southeast Coast Network monitors water quality through fixed station monitoring and park-wide assessments. While the former is conducted on a monthly basis, park-wide assessments are completed every five years. Learn more with this story map.
Dock stretching out into an estuary as the sun sets over the water.
Series: National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas
The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geoheritage-conservation.htm">geoheritage</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geodiversity.htm">geodiversity</a> resources and values all across the National Park System to support science-based management and education. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1088/index.htm">NPS Geologic Resources Division</a> and many parks work with National and International <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/park-geology.htm">geoconservation</a> communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available.
park scene mountains
Series: NPS Environmental Achievement Awards
Since 2002, the National Park Service (NPS) has awarded Environmental Achievement (EA) Awards to recognize staff and partners in the area of environmental preservation, protection and stewardship.
A vehicle charges at an Electric Vehicle charging station at Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Washington Family
This story highlights local a local family and their experience with family and community.
Phyllis Washington and Family
Haynes Family
This is the second article in a series which focuses on family and what it means to various residents in the New Smyrna Beach area. Here Rhonda Haynes reflects on family.
A view of Mosquito Lagoon with palm trees.
Artist-In-Resident 2019
Welcome to the first ever sound tour of Canaveral National Seashore! Open your ears, close your eyes, and let it take you on a journey through the various habitats and moods of nature found at the seashore.
Ranger and visitors in front of the Doris Leeper home.
Artist-In-Resident 2020
In this series you will get to know artist Dr. Nathan Wolek who has contributed to the Canaveral National Seashore artist-in-residents program. Each series highlights who they are and their creative contributions.
Feet on the beach with a sound recorder.
Top 10 Tips for a Summer Visit to Canaveral National Seashore
These are the top things to know when visiting Canaveral National Seashore.
Two fishermen on the beach.
Atala at Canaveral National Seashore
The atala butterfly is sited at the Apollo Beach Visitor Center.
Atala butterfly on coontie plant leaves.
Pedro Menendez
A short history of Pedro Menendez's travels through Canaveral National Seashore.
Pedro Menendez
Artist-in-Resident 2021
Explore the creative contributions of the Soundscape Field Station's artist-in-resident Felix Blume recorded at Canaveral National Seashore.
6 listeners listening
National Park Service supports groundbreaking Indigenous fisheries management study
Joining an international research team for a study published in journal Nature Communications, National Park Service (NPS) archeologists provided valuable research for a new global study finding that Indigenous groups sustainably harvested massive amounts of oysters over hundreds and sometimes thousands of years with minimal impact before European colonizers arrived.
Two people mapping an oyster mound.
Artist-in-Resident 2022
Mary Edwards was the 2022 Canaveral National Seashore artist-in-resident.
Mary at the beach.
William Williams
Bill Williams was one of the first African American residents in Oak Hill, Florida in the late 1800's.
Bill Williams standing outside in a suit
Axie
This is a story about a caretaker named Axie Lang from the historic Eldora community that once thrived in East Central Florida.
This is a photo of a caretaker walking through the Eldora community.
Vermelle
Vermelle Stafford worked at the Well’s family home, known as the State House, in the historic community of Eldora that was once present in what is now Apollo Beach,
Vermelle smiling outdoors in front of palmetto.
Bella Ross and Family
NPS staff were beyond delighted to have made acquaintances with the Ross family and descendants of Sophia Ross, the daughter of John Ross, overseer of the Elliott plantation also known as Stobbs farm.
The Ross family in Scottland.