NORTH BREVARD

Chain of Lakes: Snowy Egret Drive, Titusville. Open 7 a.m. until dark. 92.14-acre regional park features a bird-watching tower, wetlands and lakes with walking bridges connected to paved walking trails, 321-264-5105.

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary: State Road 405, half-mile west of U.S. 1, Titusville. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Hiking trails wind through five major ecosystems, tours available, 321-264-5185.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: SR 402, Titusville, 321-861-0667. Visitor information center hours: Open November through March, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; open April through October 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.Closed on major federal holidays. Shuttle launches could affect hours of operation as the refuge closes three days before launches. The four main trails include:

Black Point Wildlife Drive, a six-mile, self-guided auto tour. An area to see wading birds, shorebirds and waterfowl. A description leaflet is available.

• Cruickshank Trail, a five-mile walking trail along Black Point Wildlife Drive that circles a shallow water marsh and is an excellent place to watch birds from a marsh observation tower. Walking time: two to three hours.
• Oak Hammock Trail, a half-mile foot trail routed through a subtropical forest. Interpretive signs explain the ecology of the hammock plant community. Walking time: 30 minutes.
• Manatee Observation Deck offers the best chance to view manatees in refuge, northeast side of Haulover Canal.

North Brevard Walking Trail: 1505 Holder Road, Titusville. Open 7 a.m. until dark, except for scheduled use. Wildlife: songbirds, woodpeckers. Half-mile walking trail, 321-264-5105.

Wuesthoff Park: 2000 Wuesthoff St., off Barna Avenue, Titusville. Sandy nature trail, towering trees, native plant and animal life, natural Florida forest offering three distinct woodland habitats: a wetland area, hardwood hammock and upland pine forest. A short boardwalk leads across the wetland to the half-mile trail. A picnic area with grill is in an open grassy area with the scenic wetlands nearby. Wildlife: native songbirds, migratory songbirds (fall, winter), hawk, woodpecker, gopher tortoise, Eastern indigo snake. Park connects to Titusville's multi-use trail, 321-264-5105.

CENTRAL BREVARD

Brevard Museum Nature Preserve: Brevard Museum, 2201 Michigan Ave., Cocoa. Half-mile to two-mile trails wind through 22 acres. Guided tours available, 321-632-1830, www.brevardmuseum.org

F. Burton Smith Regional Park: 7575 King St. (West SR 520), Cocoa. Botanical nature trail, woodland nature walk, tent camping and nature trails. Wildlife: migratory songbirds, hawk, osprey, alligator, armadillo, feral hog, raccoon, snake, turtle, whitetail deer, 321-633-1874.

Lori Wilson Park: 1500 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Open after 7 a.m. until dark, except for scheduled use. Boardwalk through maritime hammock, two outdoor showers, 321-455-1380.

Manatee Cove: 4905 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, west of North Tropical Trail and half-mile south of Porcher Road on the Indian River. Dirt road and natural trail. Wildlife: waterfowl, manatees, bottlenose dolphin. Launch site for canoes, 321-455-1380.

Riverwalk Nature Center: 5355 U.S. 1, Rockledge. Features educational displays, hands-on activities, children's classes and group programs. The 915-foot boardwalk trail winds through the hammock until it reaches the Indian River Lagoon. Wildlife: songbirds, hawk, woodpecker, snakes, raccoon, dolphin, manatee, 321-433-4490.

Rotary Park: 1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island. 38-acre park includes quarter-mile loop trail, nature center, boardwalk nature trail. Reservations for 10 or more, 321-455-1385.

Travis Park: 2003 Michigan Ave., adjacent to north perimeter of Brevard Community College, Cocoa campus. Features one-mile paved nature trail around Clear Lake, extends from Travis Park and its community center facilities to the Brevard Museum. Community center with a gymnasium, special-interest activities, computer lab, beach volleyball court, basketball and day camp, 321-633-1871.

Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary: 805 Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island. Canals for canoes and kayak paddlers, seven-mile loop walking trail, bird-watching tower and easy access to the waterways for sports fisherman, 321-455-1380.

SOUTH BREVARD

Florida Tech Botanical Gardens: Florida Tech campus. One-mile paved trail winds through some 300 species of palms, ferns and tropical foliage. Hours dawn to dusk, 321-674-8125.

Erna Nixon Park: 1200 Evans Road, West Melbourne. Nature center and boardwalk, half-mile, self-guided elevated boardwalk trail through three different ecosystems with native plant species and small animals. Wildlife: gopher tortoise, indigo snake. For tours, 321-952-4525.

Long Point Park: 700 Long Point Road, Melbourne Beach, off SR A1A, one mile north of Sebastian Inlet. One mile of natural trails on Scout Island, riverfront camping on Indian River, adjacent to main park lies primitive camping site at Scout Island for youth groups, 321-952-4532.

Samson's Island: Satellite Beach. Accessible only by boat. Public transportation available at 1 p.m. Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis from Satellite Beach Fire Department. Pavilion, restrooms, picnic areas, grills, nature trails, camping and fishing. Permits required for visitors during dusk to daylight hours. Permits available from the Satellite Beach Recreation Office, 321-773-6458.

Sebastian Inlet State Park: 9700 SR A1A, Melbourne Beach. Bird-watching along coastal areas and inlet, camping, fishing, surfing, swimming, snorkeling and diving, 321-984-4852.

Turkey Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, Margaret Hames Nature Center: 1502 Port Malabar Blvd. N.E., Palm Bay; 11/4-mile boardwalk loop, and 11/2-mile jogging trail. Ranger-staffed nature center features hands-on exhibits, environmental literature and library with videos. Educational programs for schools, church groups and youth groups. Group tours by appointment. Saturdays and Sundays there is a 11/2- to 2-hour public tour, 321-676-6690.

Wickham Park: 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne. Half-mile foot trail, trails for horses, and a 30,000-square-foot fenced, off-leash dog park, 321-255-4307.

OUTSIDE BREVARD

Florida Eco-Safaris: A 45-minute drive west of southern Brevard County, Florida offers guided tours at its 4,700-acre wildlife preserve and working cattle ranch. Horseback safaris are avilable by reservation. Forever Eco-safaris leave at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily, Call 866-854-3837, www.floridaecosafaris.com

NATURE EXCURSIONS

Cocoa Beach Manatee Watch: Reservations required for the 21/2-hour tour departing from Ramp Road Park at 10 a.m. aboard the vessel Wildside. Refreshments provided. Wildlife: manatees, dolphins and alligators. Cost: $30 adults, $15 children younger than 10. Custom tours also available, 321-799-5495 or 800-695-1770, www.wildsidetours.com

Cocoa Beach Thousand Islands: South Banana River Marina, 1357 S. Banana River Drive. Daily eco-tours along the Cocoa Beach Islands canals. Wildlife: manatees, dolphins and a variety of birds. Call Island Boat Lines for reservations, 321-454-7414 or 321-302-0544.

Indian River cruises: Cocoa Village Marina, 90 Delannoy Ave. Lunch, afternoon and sunset cruises departing daily on a 47-foot luxury catamaran. Sunset sail adjusted seasonally to two hours prior to sunset. The cost is $45 plus tax. For reservations and hours, call 321-223-6825, www.indianrivercruises.com

Paddlewheel Adventure: Cocoa Village Marina, 96 Willard St. Two-hour Indian River cruise. This is a Friday night buffet-style dinner cruise that includes a cash-bar and live music. Private charters available. Cost: $40. Reservations required, 321-454-7414.

Space Coast river tours: Daily two-hour tours leave from Kelly Park on the Banana River. Cost: $29 plus tax, $25 plus tax for children 12 and under. Shuttle and rocket launch tours: $35 plus tax. Summer and fall bioluminescence and sunset and star-gazing tours available. Reservations required, call 321-652-1052, www.spacecoastrivertours.com