News Release

Canaveral National Seashore to Increase Recreational Access

NPS/Photo

News Release Date: August 28, 2020

Contact: Laura Henning

(New Smyrna Beach/Titusville) – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Canaveral National Seashore is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning August 29, 2020, Canaveral National Seashore will resume normal operating hours of 6am to 8pm. This includes access to Apollo Beach and Playalinda Beach districts. The Apollo Visitor Center will return to operating hours of 9am to 5pm daily, and Backcountry Island Campsites will reopen with reservations and use. Special Use Permits may be issued with possible group size limitations, this includes Backcountry Hiking permits into Klondike Beach.

In addition, the following spaces continue to be available:  

• Beach parking and access points in Playalinda and Apollo Districts
• Park roads and trails in all districts
• Park docks, piers, boat ramps and kayak/canoe launches in all districts
  
   

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Canaveral National Seashore, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

A safe and enjoyable park experience begins at home. The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park’s website and social media for current conditions and travel tips. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We ask the public to be our partner in recreating responsibly, by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing, and wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained.

We have enhanced the digital presence of Canaveral National Seashore, so for people who are still home schooling or not traveling at this time check out www.nps.gov/cana as well as on Facebook and Instagram.  


Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on NPS Public Health Update (U.S. National Park Service).



About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.




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