Search results
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, located along Florida’s coast about 60 miles east of the city of Orlando, was established by agreement as an overlay of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s John F. Kennedy Space Center. The refuge lies within one of the most productive estuaries in the country.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds. Consisting of 140,000 acres, the refuge provides a wide variety of habitats: coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, managed impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks.
- About The Refuge
- Birding
- Hiking
- Biking
- Paddling
- Beaches
Between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 140,000 acres. Most of them are wet. Most of them are for the birds. The refuge has its roots in a concerted effort to preserve a major winter migratory bird destination by the National Audubon Society. Local resident and nationally-re...
More than 310 different species of birds have been recorded on the refuge, including Florida scrub-jays, bald eagles, black-necked stilts, and roseate spoonbills. Black Point Wildlife Drive is the top destination where birders will find life list species during the winter months.
Most hiking trails on the refuge are short nature trails, ideal for family exploration. Only the Visitor Center Boardwalk is fully accessible, but several of the trails have improved surfaces.
The Brevard Coast to Coast Trail starts at the edge of the refuge on the causeway over the Indian River Lagoon. It will eventually be extended through the refuge to Playalinda Beach. It is the eastern anchor of the state-spanning Coast to Coast Trail, 250 miles to St. Petersburg. There is no bike lane on refuge roads and cars do travel at high spee...
There are many places to launch a kayak or canoe at the refuge. Open shallow waters in the north Indian River Lagoon north of Haulover Canal attract kayak anglers for redfish. The biggest deal here is bioluminscent kayaking, at its best during the hot summer months. The shallows literally glow beneath your boat. When conditions are just right – usu...
While Playlinda Beach is part of Canaveral National Seashore, which stretches up the coastline all the way to Ormond Beach, the only way to access it by vehicle is through the refuge. The beach is one of the more spectacular places to witness a rocket launch. In addition to the oceanfront, Eddy Creek and the Salt Ponds provide birding and wildlife ...
People also ask
Why is Merritt Island NWR important?
What is Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge?
How do I get to Merritt Island NWR?
How much does a Merritt Island NWR annual pass cost?
This unspoiled 140,000-acre refuge is one of the country's best birding spots, especially from October to May (early morning and after 4pm). More endangered and threatened species of wildlife inhabit the swamps, marshes and hardwood hammocks here than at any other site in the continental US.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located along Florida’s Space Coast in Brevard County. The refuge began back in 1962 with the development of the nation’s space program. When NASA obtained the land contiguous to Cape Canaveral to establish the John F. Kennedy Space Center much of the land went undeveloped and was deemed ...
At the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, there is an abundance of nature and wildlife to observe. Over 500 species of wildlife and more than 140 species of freshwater and saltwater fish have called the refuge home. Additionally, the refuge is a popular place for birdwatching and to date 358 species have been identified here.
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. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. General Refuge Regulations.
