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: March 2026

SUNDAY 1st - 10:00 AM - “MANATEE TALK" - Observe manatees in their natural environment and learn about their unique characteristics from a park ranger. Meet at the Visitor Center. (30 minutes)

MONDAY 2nd and 23rd - 1:00 PM - “SEA TURTLE 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)

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 March will be as follows:

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

THURSDAY 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th - 9:30 AM - “TURTLE MOUND TALK” - Meet a ranger and discuss the history of the Timucua 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 minutes)

FRIDAY 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th - 9:30 AM - “BEACH CLEANUP” - Join us in keeping your seashore litter free. Meet at Apollo Beach parking lot 1 for an orientation and pick up trash bags. Bring gloves, water, and sun protection. Thank you in advance for helping to keep our beaches clean. The animals appreciate it also. This program is suitable for all ages. Meet at parking lot number 1. (1 hour)

SUNDAY 8th - 10:00 AM - “SEA TURTLES OF THE SEASHORE” - Explore and learn about the Sea Turtles that call Canaveral National Seashore home. Meet at the Visitor Center. (30 minutes)

TUESDAY 10th - 11:00 AM - “BROWN BAG LUNCH TALK” - Join a park volunteer to talk about and see a demonstration about fly fishing. Meet at the Visitor Center. (1 hour)

SUNDAY 15th and TUESDAY 31st - “CANOE MOSQUITO LAGOON” - 9:30 AM - 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)

SUNDAY 15th - 10:00 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 Visitor Center Pavillion. (1 hour)

SUNDAY 22nd - 10:00 AM - "SEASHORE 101" - Join park staff for a talk to discover what makes Canaveral National Seashore special. Meet at the Visitor Center. (30 minutes)

SUNDAY 29th - 10:00 AM - "BEACH CLEANUP STROLL" - Join park staff for a guided walk through the unique ecosystems of the seashore while helping to keep our beaches clean. As we explore up to a mile of shoreline, visitors will learn about the coastal environment and assist with a light beach cleanup along the way. Trash bags are provided. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and water in a reusable container. Meet at the Visitor Center. (1 hour)

 

Playalinda District Ranger Programs: March 2026

MONDAY 16th, 23rd, FRIDAY 20th and SATURDAY 21st, 28th - 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 the Eddy Creek Pavilion in the Playalinda District. (2 hours)

FRIDAY 20th-9:00 AM- “SEASHORE 101”- Join park staff for a 30-minute talk to discover what makes Canaveral National Seashore special. Meet at the Pavillion at Eddy Creek in the Playalinda District at 9:00 AM. (30 minutes)

FRIDAY 20th and SATURDAY 28th-10:00 AM “GUIDED NATURE WALK” – Join park staff on select Days in March 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. (45 minutes) The walks in March will be as follows:

• March 20th - Meet at the William Bartrum Trailhead at Eddy Creek at 10:00 AM.
• March 28th- Meet at the Playalinda Fee/Entrance Station at 10:00 AM.

SATURDAY 21st and 28th- 9:00 AM- “SHARK TALK”- Join Park staff for a 30-minute talk to discover the fascinating world of sharks. Meet at the Pavillion at Eddy Creek in the Playalinda District at 9:00 AM. (30 minutes)

SATURDAY 21st and 28th- 8:30 AM – 10:00 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. For details on clean up location inside the Playalinda District please ask the ranger at the Playalinda Fee for details. (1.5 hour)

SATURDAY 21st-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 Eddy Creek Dock in the Playalinda District. (2 hours)

SATURDAY 28th and MONDAY 30th - 1:00 PM-2:00 PM- “MANATEE MANIA” – Observe manatee in their natural environment and learn about their unique characteristics from park staff. Visitors are welcome to stop by anytime during the listed hours. Meet at the Eddy Creek dock in the Playalinda District. (1 hour)

 

Seminole Rest District Ranger Programs: March 2026

MONDAY 2nd, FRIDAY 6th and 27th- 1:00 PM - “SEMINOLE REST WALK”- Explore the history and nature 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 1:00 PM. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (45 minutes)

FRIDAY 6th- 10:00 AM- “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 on the porch of the main house at 10:00 AM. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (30 minutes)

SATURDAY 7th- 11:00 AM- "LAGOON NATURE WALK"- Explore the nature 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)

SATURDAY 7th and TUESDAY 17th- 1:00 PM- “MANATEE TALK” – Observe manatee in their natural environment and learn about their unique characteristics from park staff. Meet at Seminole Rest Dock. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (30 minutes)

SATURDAY 7th- 2:00 PM- "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)

SATURDAY 14th -9:00 AM to 10:00 AM- “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)

SATURDAY 14th - 10:00 AM-12:00 PM-"FISHING 101"- 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)