The Florida coast is a huge draw for snowbirds, who drive their RVs from all across the country to take advantage of the warm winter weather. As such, countless RV parks offer places for those RVs to stop for a night or a season. The area around Kennedy Space Center, home to Space Shuttle launches, offers a number of RV parks and campgrounds for campers of different types on the east coast of Florida.
RV Parks
The majority of campgrounds around the Kennedy Space Center cater to big rigs that drive in from all corners of the continent. Towns such as Cocoa Beach, Titusville and Port Canaveral are big hubs for tourists who want to see some of the action at the nearby Space Center.
For the most part, RV parks in the area offer the full range of amenities, including flush toilets, hot showers, camp stores, picnic tables, swimming pools and many planned activities.
With the fit Florida culture also comes many opportunities to keep active, including volleyball nets, shuffleboard, horseshoes and other outdoor activities. For RV camping of this sort near the Space Center, try Carver's Cove RV park in Cape Canaveral, or the Kennedy Space Center KOA in Titusville.
Tent Campers
If you're staying in a tent, the options for camping near Kennedy Space Center are somewhat slim. Of the choices out there, they're all located in large RV parks that serve the needs of big rigs and might be less than private. On the flip side, you'll also have access to flush toilets, showers, laundry services, and camp stores.
If you need tent camping, one place to try is Jetty Park Campground in Port Canaveral. Besides several hundred RV sites, Jetty Park offers 16 tent sites. With its location right on the water, the RV park also has easy access to fishing, swimming and boating. A bait shop on site makes it easy to hit the pier to cast a line.
Another good choice for tent campers is Manatee Hammock Camping Area in Titusville, run by Brevard County Parks. (see resource 2) The lovely treed-in location has several sites for tents, and includes a swimming pool, shuffleboard, horseshoes, a fire pit, and a viewing area for the Kennedy Space Center.
Things to Do
When visiting the Space Coast, the obvious thing to do is to visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Beyond that, there are plenty of outdoors activities to keep you busy. For walking and running along the beach, you have an ideal spot in in the Canaveral National Seashore, which is the longest undeveloped beach in Florida. Kayak rentals are also available at several shops near the Kennedy Space Center, and surfing is always a popular pastime in the area as well. For a round of golf, try one of the many public golf courses in the area.
Weather
With average temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, and 68 degrees in winter, Florida's mild weather makes it possible to camp in the area year-round. Things can get wet and even dangerous during hurricane season, which lasts from June to November, so be sure to pay heed to emergency evacuation procedures in the area and leave the area when recommended by emergency officials.
Launch Times
It's also good to keep in mind that Space Shuttle launches happen several times a year at Kennedy Space Center, and they're always busy times to be in the area. If you are planning a trip to the area, check the launch dates at the Space Coast Office of Tourism site to see whether a launch is planned during that time. If so, it may be difficult to get a campsite during that time. Plan far enough in advance, however, and you could be witness to the launch right from your campground.
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