News Release

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Date: June 3, 2020
Contact: Laura Henning

New Smyrna Beach/Titusville,FL – 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.
Canaveral National Seashore will be moving forward with a phased re-opening of some areas of the beach access areas to include parking lots and boardwalks and restroom facilities.
Beginning Friday June 5, 2020, Canaveral National Seashore will reopen access:
 

• Hours for Phase I of the Canaveral Adaptive Recovery Plan are 12:00 pm to 8 pm
• Apollo Beach district (there may be limits on parking and restroom access)
• Fishing Docks at Parking Area 7 and 8

• Playalinda Beach district (there may be limits on parking and restroom access)

The Apollo Beach Boat Ramp and Kayak Launch remain accessible.
   


With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
 

• Backcountry Use, Backcountry camping, Special Use Permits
• Apollo Beach Visitor Center
• Public Programing
• Seminole Rest Historic Site
• Eldora Historic House
   

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.  

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.  

 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 @CanaveralNatlSeashore.  


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 www.nps.gov/coronavirus.



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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