Ranger Programs

Come join a ranger program during your visit to the seashore!

 

Please Note:

All programs are subject to cancellation and/or rescheduling due to staff limitations, weather conditions, or other factors. Some programs require reservations, a minimum age, or a cost-recovery fee. Call 386-428-3384 for program information during operating hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), www.nps.gov/cana. Entrance fees apply to all interpretive program participants. All programs meet the requirements for the Canaveral National Seashore Junior Ranger program.

Please scroll down to view the programs offered in each district throughout the park. This page is updated monthly. You can also click the calendar tab at the top of the page to explore upcoming programs.

 

Apollo District Ranger Programs: February 2026

Monday 2nd and 23rd - 1:00 pm - “Sea Turtles Nesting Season 2025” - Join us for a discussion on nesting sea turtles in general and specifically how the 2025 nesting season finished. Meet at the Visitor Information Center. (1 hour)

Tuesday 3rd - 11:00 am - “Brown Bag Lunch Talk” - Tess Sailor-Tynes is the Conservation Science Coordinator at Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach. Her primary focus is on habitat restoration and general conservation efforts within the northern stretch of the Indian River Lagoon. Springtime is an exciting time for horseshoe crab nesting activity. Marine Discovery Center leads monitoring efforts in coordination with FWC’s Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch program, which guides better understanding around horseshoe crab populations, life cycles, threats, and behavioral patterns. Learn more about these living fossils and their significance in science and beyond. Meet at the Visitor Center. (1 hour)

Wednesday 4th & 11th – 10:00 am - “Seashore 101” - Join Park staff for a 30-minute talk to discover what makes Canaveral National Seashore so special. Meet at the Visitor Center. (30 min.)

Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th – 10:00 am - “Plant Walks” - Join us every Wednesday for a walk to identify the plants of Canaveral National Seashore and find out how they have been utilized over the years. Each walk is led by an experienced volunteer and covers a different part of the park. Please bring water for hydration and wear shoes for trail walking. (2 hours). The walks in February will be as follows:

• Feb. 4th - Turtle Mound. Meet at 10:00 am. Use the Turtle Mound parking area or boat ramp parking lot and walk down.
• Feb. 11th - Eldora. Meet at 10:00 am at parking lot number 7.
• Feb. 18th - Hammock Loop Trail. Meet at 10:00 am at parking lot number 8
• Feb. 25th - Meet at 10:00 am at Parking lot #1.

Thursday, 5th, 12th, 19th - 10:00 am - “Turtle Mound Walk” - Walk to the top of Turtle Mound with a ranger and discuss the Timucua history who once called this place home. Learn about what life was like for Timucua over 2,000 years ago. Meet at the Turtle Mound parking area. (30 min.)

Monday 9th and 16th - 10:00 am - “Beach Cleanup” -Help keep our beaches clean. Join us to clean up your national park. Bring water, sunscreen, bug repellant and a hat. We provide trash bags and keep a record of what you collect. Meet at the Visitors Center. (3 hour)

Tuesday 17th and Saturday 28th - 9:30 am - “Canoe Mosquito Lagoon” - Reservations will be accepted a week before the canoe date. Join a guide as you explore this rich and diverse estuary up close. Some experience is preferred. You must be at least 8 years old and able to paddle. You must wear completely enclosed shoes (no sandals or flip-flops). Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Dress to get wet. There is a $25 canoe rental fee. Call [phone] ext. 0 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Pavilion behind the Visitor Center by 9:15am. (2 hours)

 

Playalinda District Ranger Programs: February 2026

Sunday 15th-9:00 am- "Scrub Jay Talk and Viewing” – Join a ranger and get a chance to observe this intelligent, rare species. Meet at the Playalinda Entrance/Fee Booth at 9:00 am. (30 minutes)

Friday 20th and 27th-9:00 am- “Seashore 101”- Join park staff for a 30-minute talk to discover what makes Canaveral National Seashore special. Meet at the top of the boardwalk at Parking Lot # 1 in the Playalinda District at 9:00 am. (30 minutes)

Friday 20th and 27th - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm- “Discover Your Seashore”- Join park staff at the “Discover Your Seashore” table to learn what makes Canaveral National Seashore special. Explore hands-on materials, learn about the park’s wildlife, habitats, and history, and find out how you can help protect this incredible place. Visitors are welcome to stop by anytime during the listed hours. Meet at Parking Lot #1 in the Playalinda District. (2 hours)

Saturday 21st - 9:00 am – 11:00 am- “Playalinda Beach Cleanup”- Canaveral National Seashore invites the public to join us to help keep our seashore clean. Trash bags are provided. Bring water in a reusable container, work gloves, sunscreen, and a hat for protection from the sun. Meet at Parking Lot #1 in the Playalinda District. (2 hours)

Saturday 21st -11:00 am- “Guided Beach Walk”- Join park staff on a walk through the unique ecosystems of the seashore. Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water. Be prepared to walk up to a mile on the beach. Meet at Parking Lot # 1 in the Playalinda District at 11:00 am. (45 minutes)

Saturday 21st - 10:00 am- “Shark Talk”- Join Park staff for a 30-minute talk to discover the fascinating world of sharks. Meet at the top of the boardwalk at Parking Lot # 1 in the Playalinda District at 10:00 am. (30 minutes)

Saturday 21st -1:00 pm- “Guided Nature Walk” – Join park staff on a guided walk to explore the wide range of plants and wildlife of Canaveral National Seashore. Bring your camera, water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Meet at Parking Lot #3 in the Playalinda District at 1:00 pm. (45 minutes)

 

Seminole Rest District Ranger Programs: February 2026

Monday 2nd and 9th- 11:00 am - “Seminole Rest Historic Walk”- Explore the history of Seminole Rest on a walk with park staff through the historic site. Bring a hat, insect repellent, and water. Be prepared to walk up to a half mile on a paved/wood surface. Meet at the Seminole Rest parking lot at 11:00 am. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (45 minutes)

Monday 2nd- 1:00 pm- “Castnetting 101”- Try your hand at cast netting. Enjoy Mosquito Lagoon and see what you can catch. We have cast nets; bring your own if you wish. Be prepared with water shoes, sunscreen, and water. Meet at the Seminole Rest Kayak Launch. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (1 hour)

Sunday 8th and 22nd - 10:00 am-12:00 pm-"Intro To Fishing"- This class is designed for the beginner fisherman, ages 8 years and older. Topics covered include conservation efforts, rules and regulations, how to get a fishing license, fish identification, knot tying, understanding equipment and tackle, and more. Rods and reels will be provided. Once the teaching section is over, the group may continue to fish and practice their skills. Make sure you bring water, sun protection and closed-toed shoes. Meet at the Seminole Rest Dock. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (2 hours)

Sunday 8th and 22nd- 11:00 am- “Seminole Rest Nature Walk”- Explore nature with a park ranger on a walk-through Seminole Rest. Bring a hat, insect repellent and water. Be prepared to walk up to a half mile on a paved/wood surface. Meet at the Seminole Rest parking lot at 11:00 am. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (45 minutes)

Sunday 8th and 22nd- 1:00 pm- “Seashore Glimpse”- Join Park staff for a 30-minute talk highlighting the wildlife, history, and natural beauty that make Canaveral National Seashore truly special. Meet at the main house at 1:00 pm. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (30 minutes)

Friday 13th- 11:00 am- "Seining 101"- Discover the Mosquito Lagoon’s amazing wildlife! Learn the basics of seining with park staff, identify local species, and explore why estuaries matter. Meet at the Seminole Rest Kayak Launch. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (1 hour)