Resources
Resources for exploring the area
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.
Exploring Melbourne
The southern part of Brevard County around Melbourne and Melbourne Beach is rich in natural lands and parks that invite exploration.
While population density is high west of the Indian River Lagoon, a handful of larger parks and preserves – and even the Brevard Zoo – offer natural areas in which to hike, bike, and paddle.
What’s unique about this region are habitats that are the northernmost point for tropical species like gumbo-limbo and marlberry.
These are primarily along the Indian River Lagoon, which helps moderate swings in temperature.
You can paddle along a protected shoreline of the lagoon by launching at historic Honest Johns Fish Camp in Melbourne Beach.
In addition to many public beaches stretching south along the Atlantic Ocean from Indialantic through Melbourne Beach to Sebastian Inlet, there are protected natural areas along the barrier islands.
Some are a part of Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, a notable destination for viewing sea turtles nesting.
To the west of Melbourne, the St. Johns River dominates the landscape. Destinations like Viera Wetlands are a great place for wildlife watching.
If you want to get into the floodplain itself, head into River Lakes Conservation Area or go for an airboat ride.
Trails and Parks near Melbourne
Brevard Zoo Linear Park An engaging connector trail to Viera, Brevard Zoo Linear Park educates while providing a long boardwalk for exercise and birding.
Coconut Point Sanctuary Call it the Ocean-to-Lagoon Hike: this 1 mile loop through one of Brevard County's most diverse natural lands connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon in Melbourne Beach
Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary Home to a gentle mile loop through coastal habitats on the Barrier Island Trail, Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary is a gateway to Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge.
Erna Nixon Park Although Erna Nixon Park is just down the street from one of the busiest shopping malls on the Space Coast, it transports you out of suburbia and into the wilds of Florida's past.
Florida Trail, Bull Creek WMA Following a significant tributary to the St. Johns River, the Florida Trail through Bull Creek WMA showcases history and botanical beauty.
Florida Trail, Orlando Between the prairies of Osceola County and the Ocala National Forest, this 150 mile section of the Florida Trail slips through suburbs of the Orlando metro.
Florida Trail, Three Lakes WMA At Three Lakes WMA / Prairie Lakes Unit, the Florida Trail traverses one of the largest expanses of open prairie in the Southeast, the Kissimmee Prairie. 
Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park In a state park where the main goal is preservation and restoration, a wide dirt pathway leads to views of mangrove-lined shorelines along the Indian River Lagoon.
Maritime Hammock Sanctuary Protecting a strip of waterfront and maritime hammock along the Indian River Lagoon, Maritime Hammock Sanctuary showcases a parade of coastal habitats along its trails.
Micco Scrub Sanctuary Hike the best part of two loops across former ranchland amid scrub, flatwoods, and seasonally wet prairies on this 3.1 mile hike at Micco Scrub Sanctuary.
North Sebastian Conservation Area An excellent place to spot rare Florida scrub-jays, the trails at North Sebastian Conservation Area explore a variety of wet and dry natural habitats.
Paddling the Thousand Islands One of the hidden natural treasures of Cocoa Beach, the Thousand Islands provide a fun paddle through a maze of mangroves on a marked trail through a conservation area.
Paddling Turkey Creek A chance meeting of old friends leads to my first paddling trip down Turkey Creek and the opportunity to connect with our local paddling club, the Space Coast Paddlers, by talking about our most recent guidebook.
Patterson Botanical Garden Fronting the campus of Florida Tech in Melbourne, the Joy and Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden is a lush oasis of tropical plantings in an urban setting. 
Pelican Island Centennial Trail Designed the first Federal Bird Reserve in 1903, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge celebrated its century mark by creating this short, scenic, accessible trail for birding.
River Lakes Conservation Area Bounding the eastern side of Brevard County between Lake Poinsett and Lake Washington, River Lakes Conservation Area protects the St. Johns River floodplain.
Sebastian Inlet State Park One of few places where the Indian River Lagoon mingles with the Atlantic Ocean, Sebastian Inlet is the central feature of a state park protecting the tips of both barrier islands.
St. Sebastian Catface Loop Traverse an expanse of prairies and scrub between a creekside hammock and palm hammocks atop tall bluffs on the St. Sebastian River.
St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park Cut in two by Interstate 95 south of Melbourne, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park spans 35 square miles across two counties, protecting a mosaic of habitats for wildlife, particularly the Florida scrub-jay.
Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail If you've seen the prominent Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail over Interstate 95 at Fellsmere, you've probably wondered about it. Here's what we found when we stopped for a ride. 
Triple N Ranch One of the most rugged trails in Central Florida, the 7.1 mile Blue Loop at Triple N Ranch traverses open pine flatwoods and deeply shaded hardwood hammocks.
Turkey Creek Sanctuary Protecting more than 117 acres along Turkey Creek in Palm Bay, Turkey Creek Sanctuary has both boardwalks and footpaths to explore natural habitats along the creek basin.
Viera Wetlands A prime Space Coast destination for birding and wildlife photography, Viera Wetlands is a man-made habitat perched on the edge of the St. Johns River floodplainArticles
Paddling the Thousand Islands (7/17/2019) One of the hidden natural treasures of Cocoa Beach, the Thousand Islands provide a fun paddle through a maze of mangroves on a marked trail through a conservation area.
Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail (4/2/2019) If you've seen the prominent Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail over Interstate 95 at Fellsmere, you've probably wondered about it. Here's what we found when we stopped for a ride.