Natural Areas | Indian River Lagoon Byway

Cherie Down Park

Cherie Down Park is a scenic 6.99-acre community beach park in a neighborhood setting. Well known as a popular surfing spot, Cherie Down Park is a great park for families as well just looking to spend a day on the beach.

Shepard Park

A 5-acre oceanfront park offering picnic areas, shower facilities & a view of space launches.

Sidney Fischer Park

A 10-acre, ocean-front park, Fischer is a family favorite. The park is an ideal place for a picnic and a swim in the Atlantic. Roughly 200 parking spaces, picnic pavilions and shower and restroom facilities are provided. The park was named after Sidney Fischer, who served as the mayor of Cocoa Beach from 1956 to […]

Maritime Hammock Preserve

Park activities (will) include but are not limited to strolling, frisbee, dog-walking (pet waste station onsite), picnicking, yoga/exercise, photography, plant identification and bird watching. Please no fishing in pond or biking on trails – please take all trash home or use park receptacles. Please be aware of and respect the park’s neighboring residential homes.

Jetty Park Beach & Pier

Jetty Park is one of the most sought-after points of interest in Brevard County. With 35 acres at your fingertips there is a variety of activities available, making Jetty Park your recreation destination. Whether relaxing on the beach or a family reunion at one of our rentable pavilions, Jetty Park has something for everyone.

Canaveral Lock

Welcome to Canaveral Lock, the largest navigation lock in Florida. Located between Port Canaveral’s West turning basin and the Banana River, Canaveral Lock was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1965 to secure safe passage of vessels from the Banana River to Port Canaveral and the Atlantic Ocean. The lock reduces tidal-current […]

Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary

This 436.53-acre bird reservation and sanctuary offers a wilderness escape in an urban environment and is an international attraction for bird-watchers. Historically documented as a village of the Ais Indians who disappeared around 1720, it is a natural lagoon and bird rookery linked with canals created for mosquito control and surrounded by a manmade dike. […]

Kiwanis Island Park

This beautiful 18.38-acre community river park is situated in a wildlife sanctuary. The park caters to both active and passive recreational enthusiasts. The boat ramp and a natural launch area provide access for boaters, rowers and paddlers into Sykes Creek leading to the Barge Canal or Banana River. Fishing is popular from the shoreline and […]

Cocoa Riverfront Park

Located in historic Cocoa Village the Riverfront Park in combination, with Lee Wenner and Taylor Parks, gives the public permanent access to nearly 10 acres of prime riverfront land squarely in the middle of downtown Cocoa. Run, play and relax while you enjoy the beautiful views at Riverfront Park. Facilities Sweeping green park Playground area […]

Lee Wenner Park

This 11.55-acre community river park is a popular boat launch site. Along with the boat ramps, several other amenities make it an attractive recreational area. A pavilion, grills, picnic tables, restrooms, playground, and benches are connected by a paved walkway, while a boardwalk adjacent to the boat docks extends to Cocoa Riverfront Park and Historic […]

Rotary Park at Suntree

At the junction of U.S. Hwy 1 and Suntree Boulevard, this 10.36-acre community river park is situated on the shore of the Indian River Lagoon. The large pavilion includes restrooms, barbeque pits, and an expansive river view. Along the shore and boardwalk are 6 picnic shelters with grills and a nearby playground. The fishing pier […]

St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

The St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park protects the Florida manatee, red-cockaded woodpecker and Florida scrub jay by protecting important habitat and providing an upland buffer to the St. Sebastian River. The Preserve is a mosaic of open pine flatwoods, seasonal wetlands, hardwood swamp, sand pine scrub and scrubby flatwoods communities. In the photo: Here […]

Sebastian Inlet State Park

The premier saltwater fishing spot on Florida’s east coast, this park is a favorite for anglers nationwide for catching snook, redfish, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel from its jetties. Surfing is also a popular recreation and several major competitions are held here every year. Two museums provide a history of the area. The McLarty Treasure Museum […]

Riverwalk – A Family Park

Nestled along the Indian River, this 6.37-acre community river park features a nature center and a nature boardwalk that winds through a natural Florida hammock to the river.

Xeriscape Park

Xeriscape Park is located on Taylor Avenue between the Recreation Complex & City Hall. This quiet spot offers picnic tables & park benches shaded by enormous trees that wrap themselves through the park.

Wabasso Beach Park

Wabasso Beach Park has restroom facilities, boardwalk, paved parking and showers. Hours are from 7:00 a.m. until sunset. Lifeguards are on duty from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Veteran’s Memorial Park

This passive park is dedicated to the Men and Women who bravely served in the United States Military. Located just East of the library, this serene little park is filled with beautiful mature oaks and has picnic tables and park benches located throughout. This park also has a beautiful butterfly garden, formally dedicated to the Men and […]

Treasure Shores Beach Park

Treasure Shores Park is located three miles north of CR 510 (Wabasso Bridge). It is designated as the ADA beach access park for Indian River County. The park hours are from sunrise to sunset.

Turkey Creek Sanctuary

Acquired and managed by the City of Palm Bay, the Audubon Society, and the EEL Program, a boardwalk nature trail, and jogging trails wind through the 130-acre sanctuary. The boardwalk trail passes through hydric (wet) hammock, mesic (moist) hammock, and sand pine scrub communities, and much of it overlooks Turkey Creek. The sanctuary can also […]

Pine Island Conservation Area

This 1000-acre conservation area provides access to 2 trails at the trailhead 0.5 mile from main entrance. These moderate walks lead through pine flatwoods and hydric hammock habitats. Hikers will also see cabbage palm hammocks and hardwood hammocks, with mangrove forests and marshes fringing the Indian River Lagoon. The interior marsh ponds and borrow lakes […]

Florida Tech Botanical Garden

A stream bordered by a shady hammock abounding in palm trees and other tropical growth winds through the campus and is the setting for a 30-acre botanical garden. One trail has been named the Dent Smith Trail in honor of the founder of the Palm Society, a worldwide organization primarily engaged in the study of […]

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary Management and Education Center

This 428-acre sanctuary is the flagship of the EEL Program and was purchased because of its unique geology and high biological diversity. The sanctuary is one of the few places in Brevard where visitors can experience majestic oak hammocks, wetlands, and the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in one short hike. The Enchanted Forest Management and Education […]

Canaveral National Seashore

Situated on a barrier island along Florida’s east coast, inviting park highlights include pristine, undeveloped beach, dunes and lagoon offering sanctuary to an abundant blend of plants and animals. There are many year-round recreational opportunities also.

Environmental Learning Center

Located along Florida’s Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway, the Environmental Learning Center is a non-profit nature center on a 51-acre island site. Through carefully developed programs and activities for children and adults, the ELC encourages self-discovery and re-discovery of limitless wonders of nature. In an era when hurried living and unbridled growth tend to diminish […]

Fellsmere Trailhead Preserve & Visitor Center

The Fellsmere Preserve is located northwest of the I95 and CR512 interchange. Situated on approximately 86 acres this site was acquired in 2008 in partnership with the Florida Communities Trust and Indian River County. The park will provide numerous passive recreation amenities that will be developed through a 10-year management plan including: walking trails, primitive […]

Juan Ponce de Leon Landing Park

This 25.57-acre regional beach park features 2 beach crossovers, a small pavilion, restrooms, and parking. The park commemorates the epic 1513 voyage of Ponce de Leon and his landing on the shore of Florida on April 2 near the site of the park. Ponce de Leon’s 7,980 nautical mile exploration into unknown waters set the […]

Lori Wilson Park

This 32.43-acre regional beach park featuring a maritime hammock is a popular site for events and group gatherings. The dunes and maritime hammock allow visitors to experience Florida’s natural coastline. Beach attractions include 3 pavilions along a 1,000’ boardwalk, 6 dune crossovers, seasonal lifeguards, nearby concessions, and surf fishing. Restrooms, outdoor showers, drinking fountains, and […]

Manatee Hammock Campground

This 26.45 acre campground is a well shaded and quiet hammock of pines, palms and foliage providing habitat to squirrels, birds, and tropical creatures. The river offers shoreline fishing and a perfect view of space launches at Kennedy Space Center. Campers also enjoy access to a recreation hall with a small swimming pool and reception […]

Manatee Sanctuary Park

Manatee Sanctuary Park boasts over 10 acres of waterfront beauty. Nestled on the Banana River, this dream spot is ideal for picnics, parties, weddings or just a quiet sunset stroll.

Micco Scrub Sanctuary

The Micco Scrub Sanctuary protects 1322 acres of Brevard’s remaining scrubby flatwoods and mesic flatwoods habitat. This mosaic of seasonal marshes and dry flatwoods shelters many indigenous species of plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the county. The long trails running through the Micco Scrub Sanctuary give hikers many chances to […]

Castaway Point Park

Castaway Point Park is a city park that provides one of the few natural beaches along the Indian River Lagoon. Located on a peninsula between the Indian River Lagoon and the mouth of Turkey Creek, the park provides excellent fishing from two fishing piers. Porpoises and manatees can also be viewed from the piers and […]

The Ted Moorhead Lagoon House / Marine Resources Council / IRLNSB Welcome Center

The idea for the Lagoon House began in 1998 when Ted Moorhead became aware of plans for a retention pond at Ais Point Lookout. He believed that the site on the bluff overlooking the lagoon was an ideal location for an environmental learning center. His wife, Ann proposed the name “Lagoon House” and Palm Bay […]

Brevard Zoo

Explore the Space Coast’s Wild Side! Stroll along shaded boardwalks through lush, unspoiled Florida habitat and discover why our zoo is among the most unique in the country. Get close to animals from around the world- jaguars, monkeys, alligators, birds of prey, kangaroos, and more. Experience the many extraordinary animal encounters like hand-feeding crackers to gentle […]

Historic Jungle Trail

The historic Jungle Trail, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was originally a sandy road built in the 1920s for the citrus growers on the barrier island (called Orchard Island). The trail passes through hammocks of palms and other coastal wetland species, as well as gated communities, spectacular homes and the shores […]

Banana River Park

Banana River Park offers a waterfront soccer field, a playground, a fishing platform, park benches & parking. The park plays host to local schools & soccer organizations for home games. The newest addition to the park is a Canoe & Kayak Launch located at the north end of the park. Amenities: Waterfront soccer field Pavilion […]

North Sebastian Conservation Area

The habitats throughout the Conservation Area provide visitors many opportunities to see a diverse array of plant and animal species. Trails are rated by difficulty and distance to the trailhead. As always, please use caution when visiting the conservation area. You may encounter poisonous snakes, feral hogs, alligators and poisonous plants. Sturdy walking shoes and […]

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge stretches across 20.5 miles between Melbourne Beach and Wabasso Beach along Florida’s east coast. The refuge was established in 1991 and was named after the late Dr. Archie Carr, Jr., in honor of his extraordinary contribution to sea turtle conservation. The Refuge is a direct result of Dr. Carr […]

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge holds a unique place in American history, because on March 14, 1903, tiny Pelican Island became the first National Wildlife Refuge in the United States. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (PINWR) is located in the Indian River Lagoon between Sebastian and Wabasso on the east coast of central Florida. It […]

Pritchard House in Historic Downtown Titusville

The Pritchard House is an outstanding example of Queen Anne architecture – a distinctly American form that was popular from approximately 1876 to 1910. The house appears today much like it did when it was built in 1891.

Barrier Island Sanctuary Mgmt & Education Center

Located on the barrier island, this 34-acre sanctuary features the second EEL Program Management and Education Center. The new center is a modern educational facility with classrooms, an interactive exhibit room, a library, offices, auditorium, restrooms and a gift shop. Providing a focal point for the Archie Carr Refuge and the associated barrier island ecosystem, […]

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 as an overlay of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center. Consisting of 140,000 acres, the Refuge provides a wide variety of habitats: coastal dunes, saltwater estuaries and marshes, freshwater impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks provide habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and […]

Along The Byway