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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Downtown Melbourne

Melbourne

With natural lands and parks providing trails and launch points, Melbourne invites exploration along the Indian River Lagoon, the St. Johns River, and the Atlantic Ocean

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Maritime Hammock Sanctuary

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 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 of these 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, but if you really want to get into the floodplain itself, head out into River Lakes Conservation Area or go for an airboat ride.

Resources

The Florida Trail Guide book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover 5 Star Trails Orlando

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us continue to provide public information on this website.

Newest Destinations

Florida Trail under dark water in floodplain

Florida Trail, Bull Creek WMA

Florida Trail, Bull Creek WMA
Viera Wetlands Park

Viera Wetlands

Viera Wetlands
River Lakes Conservation Area

River Lakes Conservation Area

River Lakes Conservation Area
Linear Park Brevard Zoo boardwalk

Brevard Zoo Linear Park

Brevard Zoo Linear Park
Creek with palms and dense vegetation

Turkey Creek Sanctuary

Turkey Creek Sanctuary
Florida Trail at Forever Florida

Florida Trail, Orlando

Florida Trail, Orlando
Pelican Island Centennial Trail

Centennial Trail

Centennial Trail
Thousand Islands Cocoa Beach

Paddling the Thousand Islands

Paddling the Thousand Islands

ALL Destinations

Articles

The hikers of Highline

Highline: Florida Movie Premiere

February 22, 2020//  by Sandra Friend

Premiering on Feb 28 in Florida, Highline follows a backpacking adventure across the Utah mountains. Learn about its Florida connections. Proceeds will be donated to the Florida Trail Association.

Thousand Islands Cocoa Beach

Paddling the Thousand Islands

July 17, 2019//  by John Keatley

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.

Bike path bridge over interstate 95

The Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail

April 2, 2019//  by John Keatley

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.

ALL Articles

INCLUDES: Eau Gallie, Indialantic, Palm Bay, Melbourne Beach, Suntree, Viera, West Melbourne | NEARBY: Cocoa Beach, Sebastian, St. Cloud, Titusville, Vero Beach | PART OF: Central Florida

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