The southern part of Brevard County around Melbourne is rich in natural lands and parks that invite exploration by day hikers, including habitats that are the northernmost point for many tropical species like gumbo-limbo. In addition to parks along the barrier islands, there are vast places to hike along the sand ridges and river floodplains on the western side of the county.
Coconut Point Sanctuary
Call it the Ocean-to-Lagoon Hike: this loop trail through one of Brevard County’s most diverse natural lands connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon in Melbourne Beach. Showcasing an array of habitats that change as you step up and down from coastal dunes to the shores of Florida’s largest lagoon, Coconut Point Sanctuary [...]
Erna Nixon Park
Although Erna Nixon Park is just down the street from one of the busiest shopping malls on the Space Coast – Melbourne Square – it transports you right out of suburbia and back into the wilds of Florida’s past. Primarily a boardwalk, the interpretive trail that is the main feature of this Brevard County Park [...]
Maritime Hammock Sanctuary
Bordering and managed by the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge – the first wildlife refuge in America established to protect sea turtles – Maritime Hammock Sanctuary showcases maritime, or coastal hammock, marshlands, and mangroves along the Indian River Lagoon. It’s 150 acres preserved from the residental development that has otherwise spread up and down A1A [...]
Pelican Island NWR – Centennial Trail
Pelican Island isn’t just a National Wildlife Refuge, it’s the National Wildlife Refuge that started the whole concept going, back in 1903. Even further back, in 1858, the small island in the Indian River Lagoon – offshore from where the refuge access is today – was documented as a brown pelican breeding ground. On March [...]
Turkey Creek Sanctuary
Surrounded by suburbia in Palm Bay, Turkey Creek Sanctuary is a precious preserve of 117 acres, protecting the gentle bends of Turkey Creek as it carves a deep path through sandy banks on its winding course to the Indian River Lagoon. With boardwalks carrying you over a variety of habitats, including sand pine scrub, river [...]
