Located on the Atlantic coast of Florida is just over 57,000 acres of pristine, natural beach line. The park is made up of the Mosquito Lagoon and 25 miles of beach and dunes. The park was created by an act of Congress on January 3, 1975, and is used during the summer months as a nesting ground for Loggerhead Turtles (that instinctively return to the same beach they were born at). The park also provides a year round view of the neighboring NASA facilities on the south side.
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| Kristina and I at the entrance to the park. |
Kristina and I invited a friend of ours, Cynthia, to join us on this journey to the coast. We arrived, after a short drive from Orlando, to the south entrance of the park. We followed the road into the park and were greeted with great views of the NASA complex. Every so often we stopped to read one of the informative signs about the wildlife we passed, which is one of my favorite things to do when we go on these trips. It was a busy summer morning at the beach, both for the guests and a relaxed turtle crossing the street at his own leisurely pace. Soon after viewing the southern side of the park we decided to head to the northern portions, which can only be reached by car via the highway just outside of the park. During our drive back to the entrance, we came upon a quite large alligator sunning his self in a retention pond next to the road. It is always amazing to have the chance to view wildlife on our trips, and here we were only a couple feet (and the safety of a car door) away from one of Florida’s greatest predators.
The alligators residing in Florida are known as the American Alligator (and should not be confused with those playing football in Gainesville), or Alligator mississippiensis. They can grow to be up to 10-15 feet long and can live from 35 to 50 years old. They are also a rare example of an endangered species being saved from extinction, one that is now beginning to thrive again. They are an apex predator, and critical to their habitat ranging from Louisiana to southern Florida. Mostly the alligators eat fish, turtles, snakes and small mammals, but have been known to go after small pets and in very rare cases humans.
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| The alligator peeking his head above the water line. |
Here next to us all that power rests in the sun, ignoring us completely. Soon we decided to part ways with our new friend to try out a dirt road through the center of the park. Now normally I would not think it wise to take a small Toyota Corolla on a road like this, but being flat Florida I figured we might get away with it. Now I have found on many occasions that nature rewards the risk takers, and today would be no different. The road consisted of a few miles of winding road that followed the Mosquito Lagoon north. Truly amazing views of the scenery were available for our private use, and we even got an escort from some hawks through the roughest area of the road.
Too soon, however, our dirt road ended at the highway and it was time to venture north around the wilderness. The drive took us through a few small towns and deciding that our trail mix was no longer holding our hunger, we stopped for a meal. We enjoyed a quick lunch of chicken sandwiches and drinks before continuing on with our journey. The remainder of the drive back into the park took us past big tourist beaches with giant hotels and neon strip malls. I have never been a fan of beaches like this, and feel like it would be like putting a piece of coal on an engagement ring. To me, big buildings and cheap souvenirs have never been as beautiful as the calm and quiet of nature. Fortunately, we soon were reentering in the park.
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| The view down the beach from the north areas of the park. |
As you drive into Canaveral National Seashore from the north you quickly come to the Apollo Beach Visitor Center, and we made the choice it was time to stop. The three of us began our stroll through the displays in the visitor center, consisting of information on the animals and history of the park area. There was a short video that we watched, followed by picking up stickers and passport cancellations. I even got myself a new hat, black with the “National Park Centennial” logo on it. After our stop here it was time for a few quick hikes through the dense forest. We did two trails, but with the summer heat and swarms of mosquitos, we soon arrived at the end of or day. The hour drive home was full of imagining what our next trip would be, while Kristina and Cynthia slept in the car. I am planning on a return trip to this park, and hope to do some backcountry camping during the winter or early spring.
*Traveler’s Note: As you journey into the beach wilderness, past the road’s dead end, you may notice some extra scenery. Be aware that portions of the beach at Canaveral National Seashore are “clothing optional”
For More Information
- Please visit the Apollo Beach Visitor Center in person or online at www.nps.gov/cana
- Information about the American alligator can be found at http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/american-alligator/
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