Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Titusville, FL 32782
Phone:321-861-0667
Fax:321-861-1276
Web: merrittisland.fws.gov
Established: 1963.
Location:East-central Florida next to NASA's space center.
Facilities:Visitor center, auto tour route, hiking trails, observation tower.
Activities:Boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, hunting, educational programs.
Special Features:Coastal refuge consists of seven distinct habitat types and is positioned between the subtropic and temperate climatic zones. Over 500 species of wildlife inhabit the refuge, with 15 federally listed as threatened or endangered. The refuge is home to several wading bird rookeries, 10 active bald eagle nests, numerous osprey nests, up to 400 manatees during spring months, and an estimated 2,500 Florida scrub jays.
Habitats: 140,000 acres of brackish marsh, with coastal dunes, scrub oaks, pine forests, and palm and oak hammocks. The refuge overlays John F. Kennedy Space Center and provides a buffer zone for NASA.
Access: Open during daylight hours. Portions may be closed at times of NASA launch activity.
Wild life: Great blue herons, great egrets, wood storks, cormorants, brown pelicans, bald eagles, manatees, Florida scrub jay, and alligators.
See other parks in Florida.