Camping near the Kennedy Space Center is an exhilarating experience. If you have aspiring astronauts in your family, they're going to love being so close to real-live space launches. And if you're more of the relaxed, beach-goer type, you'll have a blast, too. The area around the Space Center is home to beaches and lots of outdoor fun. While it's not possible for the general public to camp at Kennedy Space Center, 2,500 camp and RV sites in the nearby vicinity, called the "Space Coast," will make it easy to set up a temporary home. And if the timing's right, you could have a view of the next launch, right from your campground.
RV Camping
The majority of camping near the Space Coast caters to RV campers, providing water, electricity, flush toilets and showers, and often swimming pools as part of the package. Many RV parks offer additional fun activities, such as shuffleboard, bocce ball, disc golf, and basketball and volleyball courts. Florida's beach-goers are an active bunch, and the RV parks reflect people's desires for an active lifestyle. There are dozens of RV parks in the area around the Space Coast. Start your search for the right one for you by visiting the official website of Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism.
Tent Camping
There are tent sites available at many of the RV resorts in the Space Coast area. The good part about staying in a place designed for RVs is that you get to take advantage of the amenities a large park provides; the bad part is you might be stuck in your tent near someone's generator. Start out your search for tent camping by visiting Brevard County's "Camping Space Coast" site, which features several tent-friendly campgrounds. The campgrounds listed there are all near the water, giving you plenty of opportunity for swimming, boating and fishing.
Launches and Availability
Regular launches at the Kennedy Space Center make the campgrounds in the area popular places to be. If you're determined to witness a space launch, you can get the latest information about when, where and how by visiting NASA's Kennedy Space Center website. Periods around launch time can make for limited to no availability at area campgrounds, so plan accordingly and make reservations early. Likewise, some of the beaches close to the Space Center close down ahead of a launch, so check with your particular campground if you're camping near launch time.
Beaches and Other Fun
When you've seen the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, toured the Astronaut Hall of Fame and visited one of the two IMAX theaters in the area, there are still plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. The beaches of the Space Coast are among the longest in the state, with the longest at 72 miles, according to Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism. Surfers flock to the area to take advantage of the warm weather and the steady waves along the Space Coast beaches. Kayaking and airboat rides are also available in the area. On top of the world-class beaches, the Space Coast area is also home to 250 square miles of wildlife refuge, giving you ample access to bird watching and hiking.
Other Attractions
Camping near the Kennedy Space Center gives you the chance to wake up next to the beach, but also take advantage of some of the most famous tourist sites in all of the United States. Besides the NASA facilities, the area around the Space Center is just about 35 miles from Walt Disney World in Orlando. Visit the Magic Kingdom one day, and spend another touring Epcot Center or Universal Studios, or cooling off at one of Orlando's water parks. However you choose to spend your time, you're sure to get a walking workout.
Member Comments