Park it on the Space Coast!

Hiking, biking, grilling, splashing, playing, learning – no matter how you like to enjoy the outdoors, there’s the perfect park for you and your family here on the Space Coast! Check out our top 10 picks for must-see parks along our 72 miles of paradise!

BARRIER ISLAND SANCTUARY– Melbourne

8385 South Hwy A1A
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

Located inside the Archie Carr National Refuge, Barrier Island Sanctuary is a 34-acre sanctuary that offers nature lovers a place to explore the barrier island’s diverse habitats. Learn and explore through interactive exhibits at the Management and Education Center, guided hikes through the nature trails, and even kayak launches into the lagoon for wildlife observation. This park is great for groups and explorers of all ages. This park is also located on one of the most important sea turtle nesting habitats in the United States! If you’ve been longing to see some sea turtles, the Sea Turtle Conservatory in partnership with Barrier Island Center provide educational tours and walks that teach you and your family all about these amazing creatures. Parking is free and the pristine ocean view is a nice added bonus whether you make a quick stop or make a day of it here.

CHAIN OF LAKES PARK– Titusville

2300 Truman Scarborough Way
Titusville, FL 32796

Chain of Lakes Park in Titusville features wetlands and lakes with walking bridges connected to 3-miles of paved walking trails. With 92 acres of land to explore, from an observation tower and pavilions, to multi-use fields and lighted soccer fields, and even five different lighted adult softball fields, and trails for cycling, the amenities here are endless. It is ADA accessible and perfect for groups and kids of all ages. Grab a bike and start exploring!

JETTY PARK– Cape Canaveral

400 East Jetty Road
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral is a beautiful 35-acre park full of activities such as surfing, kayaking, walking the beach, riding bikes, with perfect views for rocket launches and watching ships and rocket boosters make their way into Port. Vendors are present for all beach rental needs and the park also offers a 1,200-foot paved and lighted fishing pier complete with bait shop for all your bait and rental needs! Additionally, there are amenities to accommodate close to any festivity. Pavilions are equipped with tables and grills, and kids can enjoy the playground complete with swings, monkey bars, slides and much more. Jetty Park is pet-friendly, ADA accessible, and even provides laundry and showers whether staying for the day or staying overnight on their campground. Jetty Park truly has something for everyone.

LORI WILSON PARK– Cocoa Beach

1500 N Atlantic Avenue
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

This seaside park is lush with dunes and coastal hammocks with board walk trails, and the perfect place for a beachside picnic or a fun day out with family or friends. Offering pavilions to beat the heat, a playground, and barbecue grills, it’s easy to spend an hour, or all day, playing volleyball, taking a nature walk, or even enjoy a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Lori Wilson Park offers full-time lifeguards making it ideal for a relaxed and enjoyable time by the water. Parking is free and amenities include restrooms, outdoor showers, water fountains, on-site vendors, and a dog park. If you’re looking for a place to beach it up all day, Lori Wilson Park is your spot.

RITCH GRISSOM MEMORIAL WETLANDS– Viera

3658 Charlie Corbeil Way
Viera, FL 32940

Wildlife photography, bird watching, and eco-tourism is what you can expect at Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, also known as the Viera Wetlands. Whether driving along the perimeter, walking a route through the impoundments, or enjoying the views from the observation tower, you’re sure to capture the beauty of Florida marshlands in all their glory. Bring some binoculars to spot native and migratory birds, otters, deer, or some cleverly camouflaged alligators basking in their natural habitat. The wetlands offer free parking, is pet-friendly, and has some cycling paths and trails that provide additional opportunities to explore this natural wonder!

COCOA RIVERFRONT PARK– Cocoa

401 Riveredge Blvd.
Cocoa, FL 32922

Looking for a fun day with the family, an open space to picnic, or even a casual scenic stroll with a loved one? Cocoa Riverfront Park is the perfect setting for a lovely day. It offers a waterfront recreation area featuring a boardwalk, amphitheater, covered pavilions and playgrounds; and the kids always have a blast with the splash pad! Being located in the heart of Downtown Cocoa Village, you’re surrounded by local shops, restaurants, and the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse. Newly renovated docks mean that there’s plenty of space for you to access Cocoa Riverfront Park from the Indian River Lagoon for the perfect way to end an amazing day on the water!

RYCKMAN PARK- Melbourne Beach

509 Ocean Ave.
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

Located in the Ocean Avenue District or Melbourne Beach, Ryckman Park is home to the Town Hall Complex whose facilities include a community center, beautiful pavilions, a large playground, tennis, bocce ball, basketball courts, a multiuse field, and access to the Melbourne Beach Pier. Ryckman Park is suitable for all ages, whether wanting time to play or place to relax. Visitors can go fishing off of the pier, get a great work out, and have fun doing it! The park is beautifully maintained with modest landscaping, and quaint gazebos; perfect for a sunset stroll looking over the waters of the Indian River Lagoon and providing picturesque views of the natural beauty of the Space Coast.

SPACE VIEW PARK– Titusville

8 Broad St
Titusville, FL 32796

Located just 15 miles directly across from the NASA’s launch pads, Space View Park in Titusville is the first and only park in the US that honors astronauts and the men and women who helped America lead the world in space exploration. Come park for free and explore this unique spot which is part park, part outdoor museum that’s filled with monuments and mission plaques. Walk through the history of space and compare your handprints to those of some of the original Mercury astronauts. Did we mention that Space View Park is one of the BEST spots on the Space Coast to watch a Rocket Launch?

TURKEY CREEK SANCTUARY– Palm Bay

1518 Port Malabar Boulevard NE
Palm Bay, FL 32905

Turkey Creek Sanctuary is a 130-acre sanctuary in Palm Bay surrounded by a beautiful landscape of sand pines, saw palmettos, and live oaks. Twist and turn along the bass-filled black water creek as you enjoy a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk and natural trail. This hotspot for rare and migratory wildlife is a great way to get outside and enjoy the scenic landscape while capturing it all with your smartphone or professional camera. There is an on-site nature center providing educational interpretive exhibits, perfect if you want to couple a fun day out with a learning experience for either yourself or your kids. You can even rent a kayak or canoe to explore Turkey Creek in its entirety! Whether taking a walking tour, or accessing the Sanctuary on kayak or canoe, keep your eye out for manatee, dolphin, tarpon, turtles, and so much more while adventuring in Turkey Creek.

WICKHAM PARK– Melbourne

2500 Parkway Drive
Melbourne, FL 32935

Horse trails, hiking trails, an archery range, Dog Park, and more…This popular community park located in Melbourne is nearly 400 usable acres. Recreational amenities include walking, jogging or cycling along the 5-mile drive, two seasonally guarded swimming lakes, three small fishing lakes, an 18-hole disc golf course, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, an equestrian facility, playground, multipurpose and soccer fields, so the outdoor activities are almost limitless. Don’t think you can fit that into one day? Wickham Park offers 133 campsites with water and electric hookups plus shower rooms, laundry facilities, and gathering areas, perfect if you’re wanting your stay to last a little longer and allow for a multi-day adventure.

Florida’s Space Coast has some of the best parks for the perfect getaway kind of day. Scenic views, wildlife trails and learning opportunities, outdoor space museums, and memory-making fun are all waiting to be had around every corner. Come visit the Space Coast and have a blast!