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 (New Smyrna Entrance) Ranger Programs: August 2026

SATURDAY 1st 8th 15th 22nd AND 29th - 2:00 PM - “YOUNG SOUND SEEKERS DOCUMENTARY” - View the Postcards from Canaveral documentary. This film was funded by a grant from the National Park Service to Atlantic Center for the Arts, in collaboration with community partners Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired and Stetson University. Meet at the Visitor Center. (30 minutes)

SATURDAY 8th AND SUNDAY 9th - 1:00 PM - “SEASHORE 101” - Join park staff for a talk to discover what makes Canaveral National Seashore special. Meet at the Visitor Center. (30 minutes)

MONDAY 10th 17th, 24th AND 31st - 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. (1 hour)

TUESDAY 11th, 18th AND 25th - 9:30 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)

WEDNESDAY 12th, 19th AND 26th - 9:15 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)

FRIDAY 14th AND 28th - 10:00 AM - “CAST NETTING” – Join a ranger and learn the art of cast netting. See how to catch bait and what may be caught in this area of Mosquito Lagoon. Meet at the Apollo Visitor Center. (1 hour)

THURSDAY 20th - 10:00 AM - “WELCOME TO THE FRONTLINE” -Learn about volunteering at the Apollo Visitor Center. Be the friendly face that welcomes visitors to Canaveral National Seashore! It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the park, build new skills, and make a difference in every visitor’s experience. Log volunteer hours for high school or college credit. As a visitor center volunteer, you’ll help guests plan their visit, answer questions, share the park’s stories, and connect people with its natural and cultural treasures. Meet at the Apollo Visitor Center. (1 hour)

SATURDAY 22nd - 9:00 AM – “NATIONAL PARK WEEK - SEASHORE CLEANUP” - Help keep our seashore trash free. Pick up supplies at the visitor center and explore the park while volunteering. Learn about park safe cleanup procedures. Sign up to volunteer! End your cleanup when you see fit. (1 hour)

 

Seminole Rest District (Oak Hill) Ranger Programs: August 2026

SUNDAY 23rd - 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM- “SEMINOLE REST CLEAN-UP” – Join park staff and help keep the park trash free. Bring gloves, water, and sunscreen. Meet on the porch of the main house between 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM to get supplies. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (45 minutes)

FRIDAY 28th and SATURDAY 29th - 10:00 AM- “MANATEE 101” – Observe manatee in their natural environment and learn about their unique characteristics from park staff. Please note visitors can walk with staff to the dock to observe manatees after the talk. Meet inside the main house at 11:00 AM. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (30 minute)

FRIDAY 28th and SATURDAY 29th- 11:00 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 inside the main house at 11:00 AM. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (30 minutes)

FRIDAY 28th and SATURDAY 29th- 1:00 PM- “SEA TURTLE 101”- Explore and learn about the Sea Turtles that call Canaveral National Seashore home. Meet inside the main house at 1:00 PM. Address to Seminole Rest: 207 River Rd. Oak Hill Florida, 32759 (30 minutes)

SUNDAY 30th – 9 AM to 12 PM- JUNIOR RANGER DAY AT SEMINOLE REST- Join us for a special Junior Ranger Day at Seminole Rest! Explore the natural and cultural history of the site through guided programs, hands-on activities, and a fishing clinic. Junior Rangers can earn badges while learning about this special place. All activities are free. (3 hours) Program locations are subject to change and/or cancellation. Below are the locations for each program:

• Historic House Open – 9:00 AM–12:00 PM – Stop by the historic house to pick up a Junior Ranger book, explore exhibits, and learn about the history of Seminole Rest. Junior Ranger books, badges, certificates, and Junior Angler materials are available throughout the day.

• Clean-up – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM- Join park staff and help keep the park trash free. Bring gloves, water, and sunscreen. Meet on the porch of the main house any time between 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM to get supplies. (3 hours)

• Nature Walk & Scavenger Hunt – 9:15 AM–10:00 AM – Explore the Seminole Rest Trail and search for native plants, wildlife, and signs of the area’s natural history while completing a fun, family-friendly scavenger hunt. Meet in the parking lot at Seminole Rest. (45 minutes)

• Seminole Rest Walk 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM– Explore the history and nature of Seminole Rest on a walk with park staff through the historic site. Meet in the parking lot at Seminole Rest. (45 minutes)

• Special Talk – 11:00 AM – Join a park ranger or volunteer for a casual, in-the-moment discussion on a featured topic tied to the seashore. Meet inside the main house for this talk. (10 minutes)

• Fishing Clinic – 10:00 AM–12:00 PM – Learn the basics of fishing, responsible angling practices, and local fish species found in the Mosquito Lagoon. Participants may earn Junior Angler recognition. Must be 8 years or older. Meet at the Seminole Rest Dock. (2 hours)

• Mosquito Lagoon Talk – 11:30 AM – Discover the Mosquito Lagoon ecosystem and learn about the wildlife, habitats, and natural resources that make this estuary one of the most productive in North America. Meet inside the main house for this talk. (20 minutes)

 

Playalinda District (Titusville Entrance) Ranger Programs: August 2026

MONDAY 10th & 31st- 9:00 AM- SEASHORE 101- Join park staff for a 30-minute talk to discover what makes Canaveral National Seashore special. Meet at the top of the boardwalk at Parking Lot # 3 in the Playalinda District at 9:00 AM. (30 minutes)

FRIDAY 14th and SATURDAY 29th– 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM- “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. (1.5 hours)

SATURDAY 15th and SUNDAY 16th- 8:00 AM to 11:00 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. Meet at parking lot #1 in the Playalinda District to retrieve supplies during the listed hours. (3 hours)

TUESDAY 18th and 25th-10:00 AM- “GUIDED BEACH WALK”- Join Park staff on a walk through the unique ecosystems of the seashore. Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water. Be prepared to walk up to a mile on the beach. Meet at parking lot #1 in the Playalinda District at 10:00 AM. (45 minutes)

SATURDAY 22nd – 9 AM to 12 PM- JUNIOR RANGER DAY AT PLAYALINDA-Join us for a special Junior Ranger Day at Playalinda! Participate in learning and discovering the wildlife and habitats that make Canaveral National Seashore such a special place. Junior Rangers can complete activities books, attend programs, and earn their Junior Ranger badge. All activities are free entrance fee still applies. Program locations are subject to change and/or cancellation. (3 hours) Here is the schedule of events: All Talks and Stations will be set up at Eddy Creek.

• Manatee Mania Station – Learn about Florida's gentle giants through hands-on activities and displays. Discover manatee adaptations, habitat, and conservation efforts.

• Manatee Talk – 9:30 AM – Join us for a closer look at the life and challenges of the Florida manatee. Program lasts approximately 20 minutes.

• Discover Your Seashore & Cleanup Station – Explore the diverse habitats of Canaveral National Seashore while helping protect them through a stewardship and cleanup activity.

• Shark Talk – 10:30 AM – Join us for a closer look at the fascinating world of sharks. Program lasts approximately 20 minutes.

•Turtle Tidbits Station– Learn about sea turtle nesting, hatchlings, and conservation through exhibits.

• Sea Turtles of the Seashore Talk – 11:30 AM – Explore the incredible journey of a sea turtle from nest to ocean and learn how visitors can help protect these remarkable animals. Program lasts approximately 20 minutes.