Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge covers about 140,000 acres between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon. Most of the land became protected in 1963 when NASA left wide buffers around Kennedy Space Center. Wetlands, pine flatwoods, oak scrub, and open lagoon waters now support one of the richest wildlife collections in the United States.

Palms and marsh beside a quiet refuge road.

History

NASA bought most of Merritt Island in 1962 for launch safety. Only a fraction became pads, towers, and control rooms. In 1963 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began managing the unused land as a refuge. In 1975 the shoreline joined Canaveral National Seashore. Today rockets still rise, but wild country fills the horizon.

On launch days, refuge and NASA crews coordinate short safety closures. Biologists check manatee coves, bird rookeries, and fire risk zones both before and after liftoff. The arrangement lets spaceflight and conservation work side by side.

Birders on Black Point Wildlife Drive.

Habitats

Pine Flatwoods

Slash pines stand over saw palmetto and wiregrass. Gopher tortoises tunnel into dry sand while deer and bobcats roam after dawn burns keep the understory open.

Oak Scrub

Low scrub oaks twist across white-sand ridges. The Florida scrub-jay, a bird found nowhere else, builds family nests here. Indigo snakes glide under leaf litter in search of small prey.

Mangrove Fringe

Red, black, and white mangroves edge tidal creeks. Their roots shelter juvenile fish and crabs. Roseate spoonbills and reddish egrets stalk the shallows at first light.

Lagoon Waters

Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River meet here. Seagrass beds feed manatees, and dolphins corral mullet on shallow flats. Oyster bars filter water and anchor shorelines.

Roseate spoonbill sweeping for minnows.

Wildlife Highlights

More than 350 bird species appear each year. Winter impoundments fill with pintail, teal, and wigeon. Wood storks, great blue herons, and snowy egrets feed year-round. Bald eagles nest in tall pines, while ospreys dive for mullet across open water.

Alligators bask beside canals, and river otters slide down muddy banks. Bobcats stalk early-morning edges. Threatened Florida scrub-jays guard scrub patches, and West Indian manatees graze warm coves. Loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles nest on refuge beaches each summer.

Conservation Work

Staff light prescribed burns on a set rotation to keep flatwoods healthy and spur scrub-jay habitat. Pumps flood or drain impoundments to time food peaks for shorebirds and to curb mosquitoes. Crews cut Brazilian pepper trees and trap feral hogs that uproot marsh plants.

Surveys track turtle nests, bird colonies, and seagrass health. Volunteers plant native grasses, guide school groups, and run the visitor center store. University researchers study climate effects on salt marsh and oyster reef growth.

Alligator soaking up afternoon sun.

Things to Do

Black Point Wildlife Drive offers a seven-mile car loop beside impoundments rich with birds and gators. Pick up a brochure at the gate and match numbered stops with habitat notes.

Trails range from the half-mile Oak Hammock Loop to the five-mile Cruickshank hike across marsh dikes. Scrub Ridge Trail often rewards hikers with close scrub-jay views.

Paddling reveals manatees and jumping mullet in glassy lagoons. Launch at Beacon 42 or Bairs Cove.

Fishing draws anglers for red drum, spotted seatrout, and snook. Wade grassy flats at dawn or drift quiet channels by kayak.

Playalinda Beach offers 24 miles of undeveloped Atlantic coast. Boardwalks cross dunes to wide sand and clear surf. Rocket launches can close the beach; check schedules before driving out.

Visitor Tips

Prime wildlife viewing runs November – March when birds peak and insects thin. Summer brings heat and biting flies; carry water, sun gear, and strong repellent.

Bring cash for the Black Point fee. Stop at the visitor center on State Road 402 for maps and current trail updates. Standard sedans handle all main roads, but unpaved spurs get rough after rain.

Launch days change everything. Roads close about an hour before liftoff. Arrive early or choose a different date for quiet exploration. If you plan to watch the launch, expect full parking lots.

Stay at least fifteen feet from alligators, manatees, and dolphins. Keep pets leashed and off wildlife drive routes. Pack out all trash to protect fragile habitats.

Indian River Lagoon and refuge impoundments seen from above.

Map

Refuge map with major roads and waterways.

Plan Your Visit

The refuge opens sunrise to sunset. No camping or overnight stays are allowed. Fuel, food, and lodging sit in nearby Titusville and Cape Canaveral. With simple prep you will discover one of Florida’s richest wild places—where sea turtles nest, alligators lurk, and rocket engines thunder overhead.