Canaveral National Seashore: A Day Trip from Daytona Beach

Choose Apollo Beach or Playalinda Beach first: each entrance serves a different district and has its own approach from I-95. The seashore was established on January 3, 1975, and its two beach entrances are in the New Smyrna Beach and Titusville districts.

Apollo Beach

For Apollo Beach, take I-95 at exit 249, continue east to A1A, then head south to the park entrance. This entrance serves the New Smyrna Beach district. Beach ramps are at parking areas 1 and 5.

Playalinda Beach

For Playalinda Beach, take I-95 at exit 220, then drive east through Titusville on Garden Street and follow the signs. Playalinda is in the Titusville district, with beach ramps at boardwalks 8, 9, and 10.

Once you’ve picked a district, plan your arrival around its entry cutoff: the gates close to new entries before the end of the daily operating period. If you need current road or access information, check the official site before you go.

Beach access, short trails, and boat launches are available in different parts of the seashore, so match your plans to the district you enter.

The beach ramps are at specific parking areas and boardwalks, while several sites offer trail access. For beach access and rules closer to town, Daytona Beach’s beaches and their access points are a separate part of the coast.

At Apollo Beach, a beach wheelchair is available through the Information Center, and an assistant is required to use it. The Turtle Mound Archeological Site has an accessible trail; its boardwalk is accessible with assistance. At Seminole Rest in Oak Hill, the half-mile trail is accessible to visitors with walking disabilities and has benches.

If you’re planning to hike in the backcountry area known as Klondike Beach, between northern Playalinda and southern Apollo, obtain a permit at an entrance station before entering.

For boating, Apollo has a ramp just before the park gates that is open 24 hours. Other Apollo launch areas listed by the National Park Service are accessible only during park operating hours. Playalinda’s launch is at Eddy Creek parking lot and is also limited to park operating hours.

Canoe and kayak rentals are available in Apollo District for $25 per kayak or canoe. Pickup is from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., equipment must be returned by 2:00 p.m., and children must be at least 8 years old. Rentals are not available in Playalinda or Seminole Rest.

Plan your visit around the district’s entry hours and bring a card or contactless payment for the entrance fee. Apollo and Playalinda districts are open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with last entry at 5:00 p.m. Seminole Rest is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

The standard entrance fee is $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per person entering on foot or by bicycle. Standard passes are valid for 7 consecutive days at all park entrances. The annual pass costs $45 and allows access for one vehicle per visit for 12 months from the month of purchase.

Entrance stations accept credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay; cash is not accepted. The Apollo Beach Visitor Center is at 7611 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169, and is normally open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Christmas Day.

Leave pets off the beach, and don’t bring glass containers or fireworks. Personal watercraft use is prohibited. Unmanned aircraft use from or on National Park Service-administered lands or waters is prohibited unless the superintendent approves it in writing.

Bring a payment card and plan your beach visit with the conditions in mind: lifeguard services are not available in the park. The National Park Service warns that rip currents, rough surf, and hazardous marine life can be present, so use caution around the water.

If you’re weighing other day-trip plans from Daytona Beach, a Blue Spring State Park day trip has its own access details to check. Before leaving for Canaveral, confirm the hours and access details that affect your plan, especially if you’re aiming for the last entry time, using a launch area, or visiting the Apollo Beach Visitor Center.