Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Scrub Jay Way Titusville FL

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a vast preserve that occupies 140,000 acres. It stretches across the Atlantic coast of Florida’s largest barrier island and is home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and visitor complex.

It also abuts the Canaveral National Seashore and Mosquito Lagoon. It is a great destination for bird watchers and history lovers. See More Info.

Visitor Information Center

The Visitor Information Center located at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Scrub Jay Way Titusville FL is a great place to get an overview of this incredible natural area. It is a beautiful building that has good signage and is just off of State Road 402.

The center has a visitor education desk, interactive displays, and a broadwalk nature trail. It is also a great place to pick up a map and hard copies of the refuge’s brochure.

One of the main attractions at this refuge is bioluminscent kayaking. When conditions are right – usually in the summer – the water’s surface glows as you paddle.

While visiting, be sure to stop at the Visitor Information Center and watch a running movie about the seashore and the wildlife contained there. It is a wonderful learning experience! The staff here is extremely friendly and helpful.

Boat Ramps

The Boat Ramps located at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Scrub Jay Way Titusville FL are an excellent place to launch a kayak or boat. This is one of the best places in Florida for bioluminscent kayaking, at its peak in the summer.

These paved ramps are located on the south side of Haulover Canal, which connects Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon. Bairs Cove is the most popular and safest launch site, but paddlers should be mindful of tides, which can rip through narrow waterways in the summer.

If you’re looking for a more remote launch, the WSEG and Beacon 42 Boat Ramps are also ideal, as they offer access to Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River. However, these sand-bottom launches are less convenient than the paved Haulover Canal ramps.

MINWR is an incredible conservation area with many birding opportunities. The Refuge also protects natural dunes, coastal strand scrub, salt marsh and other wetlands. This 140,000 acre sanctuary is truly a gem. Visit URL.

Hiking Trails

Located just east of Titusville and on the Atlantic Coast of Florida’s largest barrier island, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Scrub Jay Way Titusville FL is home to over 140,000 acres that provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. It is also a popular stop for migratory birds and a wintering ground for waterfowl.

During the winter months, birders flock here to see more than 310 species of birds. These include Florida scrub jays, bald eagles, black-necked stilts and roseate spoonbills.

Bikers can also enjoy a ride (where possible) along the earthen berm roads that run across the Refuge. These roads are good for wildlife viewing in the winter months, though they can be closed by NASA for operational purposes.

There are also several short hiking trails that lead to coastal hammocks where you can see migrant songbirds and learn about the habitat through interpretive signage. Hikers can visit the Eldora Hammock Trail, the Pine Flatwoods Trail and the Palm Hammock Trail to explore this beautiful wetlands area.

Bird Watching

One of the best places to see birds in the winter is Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The 140,000 acre property was originally purchased to be part of Kennedy Space Center and it has become an environmental treasure with seven distinct habitats.

The wetlands on the Refuge host a diverse range of wild birds in the winter. Some of the species you might see here are waterfowl, egrets, pelicans and shorebirds.

There are also many opportunities to see raptors like hawks, owls and vultures. These can be seen from a viewing tower in the pine flatwoods, or from the Scrub Ridge Trail in the fire-dependent scrub habitat.

The Turkey Creek hydric hammock is another excellent area to see a variety of bird species. These include Carolina Wrens, Redstarts, Ospreys, owls, hawks and herons. Read Much More.

Driving directions from CRM Construction Management to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Driving directions from Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to Kirk Point Riverside Park