Visit Us
Hours of Operation
Refuge roads, trails and boat ramps are open year-round from sunrise to sunset daily. Bair’s Cove and Beacon 42 boat ramps are the only boat ramps available for night launching.
Visitor Center Hours
The Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Closed Sunday, Monday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Information, exhibits, movies, programs, water, restrooms, bookstore, and a short boardwalk trail are available at the Visitor Center.
Fees
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a federal fee area. A Refuge Pass is required to enter the Black Point Wildlife Drive and Bio Lab Road, and to launch a boat at Bair's Cove, Beacon 42, and Bio Lab boat ramps. Fees collected are used to directly assist with providing safe and meaningful experiences to refuge visitors.
A variety of passes (see Pass Options below) can be purchased in-person at the Visitor Center from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Daily passes can be purchased at self-pay stations with exact change. Merritt Island Annual, Daily, and Foot/Bicycle passes can be purchased online at Recreation.gov.
Notes about your pass
- A Refuge Pass is not required if the visitor is in possession of a current and signed Federal Duck Stamp or an Interagency Pass.
- The Merritt Island Annual and Daily passes admit the pass-holder and fellow occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle.
- The Merritt Island Foot/Bicycle Daily Pass admits one individual pass-holder on foot or bicycle.
- The refuge accepts payment in the form of cash.
- Separate fees apply for concessionaire operated tours and rentals.
- Passes are non-transferable, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.
- When the Visitor Center is closed, use fee envelopes and depository provided at the entrance to Black Point Wildlife Drive and boat ramps for daily passes.
- Passes marked with an asterisk (*) can be purchased online from the USGS Store and a physical pass will be mailed to you.
Pass Options
Merritt Island Daily Pass - $10.00 per vehicle. Valid only at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Daily passes may be purchased from the Visitor Information Center, self-pay stations, or you can Buy Your Pass Online at Recreation.gov.
Merritt Island Annual Pass - $25.00 per vehicle. Valid only at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Annual passes may be purchased from the Visitor Information Center or you can Buy Your Pass Online at Recreation.gov.
Merritt Island Foot/Bicycle Daily Pass - $10.00 per individual entering the refuge on foot or bike. Valid only at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Foot/Bicycle passes may be purchased from the Visitor Information Center or you can Buy Your Pass Online at Recreation.gov.
Federal Duck Stamp - $25.00. Valid for one year, July 1 to June 30, at all National Wildlife Refuges.
Lifetime Senior Pass* - $80.00 per person age 62 or older. Also provides a 50% discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping. The Lifetime Senior Pass provides access to recreation sites managed by six federal agencies: National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.
Annual Senior Pass* - $20.00 per person age 62 or older. Valid for 12 months from the time of purchase. Also provides a 50% discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping. The Annual Senior Pass provide access to recreation sites managed by six federal agencies: National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.
Access Pass* - A free lifetime pass for disabled persons. Also provides a 50% discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping. The Access Pass provide access to recreation sites managed by six federal agencies: National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.
Military Annual Pass* – A free annual pass available to active duty U.S. Military and dependents.
Military Lifetime Pass* – A free lifetime pass available to U.S. Military Veterans, and Gold Star families.
Interagency Annual Pass* - $80.00 - valid for 12 months from the time of purchase – provide access to recreation sites managed by six federal agencies: National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.
Every Kid Outdoors Pass - A free annual pass valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year though the following summer (September 1 – August 31). This pass is available for U.S. 4th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age). Voucher required.
2024 Fee Free Days
- January 15: Martin Luther King Day
- June 19: Juneteenth
- September 28: National Public Lands Day
- October 13: First Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week
- November 11: Veterans Day
Trails
The refuge provides a variety of walking paths and hiking trails. All are available year- round. All trails on the refuge are generally flat, but trail substrates are variable, and may include boardwalks, foot paths, or mowed grass. The visitor center boardwalk is currently the only wheelchair accessible trail. While the trails are flat, users should keep in mind that Florida summers are hot and humid, with the potential of daily lightning storms. Be sure to bring water and stay hydrated. The use of sunscreen is highly recommended as many of the trails lack shade. Trail users should be prepared for biting and stinging insects, which may be present in all seasons. Bicycles are not permitted on any of the listed trails.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Merritt Island Complex.
Locations
From I-95, take Exit 220 (Titusville, State Road 406 Exit). Drive east on SR406, also known as Garden Street. Continue east on Garden Street for 4 miles and travel over the Max Brewer Causeway Bridge. The Refuge begins at the east side of the causeway.
To reach the Visitor Information Center, continue 4 miles past the Refuge entrance (remain to your right at the fork in the road) and the Visitor Center entrance sign will be on your right.