Jetty Park Beach, Campground, and Fishing Pier
Family of 4
~$20–$30 for day entry (parking/entry fee per vehicle); camping is additional — check portcanaveral.
Duration
3–6 hours (or overnight with camping)
Best Ages
Best for all ages
About
Jetty Park in Port Canaveral might be the single best family-friendly outdoor destination on the entire Space Coast — and it has one feature that no other beach park in the country can match: it's one of the best spots on Earth to watch rockets launch from Kennedy Space Center.
Located at 100 Jetty Park Rd right at the mouth of Port Canaveral, this park packs a remarkable amount into one waterfront location. You get a genuine Atlantic beach with clear water perfect for swimming. A fishing pier stretching over the water where families can fish without a license (pier fishing in Florida doesn't require one).
A full campground for overnight stays. And an absolutely unobstructed view of the Kennedy Space Center launch pads just across the Banana River.
For space-loving families, staying overnight at the campground on a launch night is a bucket-list experience. When a SpaceX Falcon 9 launches from pad 39A in the evening, the reflection off the water, the sound reverberating off your chest, and the trail of fire arcing into the sky is something that rewires a kid's understanding of what's possible. Book campsite reservations months in advance for any launch date — they disappear immediately.
Even without a launch, the park is exceptional. Giant cruise ships depart Port Canaveral regularly, and watching a 300,000-ton cruise ship slide silently past just offshore is its own kind of spectacle for kids. The beach is uncrowded compared to Cocoa Beach, the fishing pier is genuinely pleasant, and the whole park feels like a gem that hasn't been over-discovered.
Entry fees are very reasonable for the full experience. Bring your own food — concessions are limited on-site but the Port Canaveral waterfront restaurant scene is developing fast just outside the park gates.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Limited
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Early morning for beach time or rocket launch viewing; evenings are spectacular for sunset
Wait Times
Entry fee required; can get crowded during peak season and rocket launches
Nearby Food
Limited concession on-site. Port Canaveral has a growing restaurant scene along the waterfront within a few minutes drive.
Why Kids Love It
Jetty Park has it all — a real beach, a fishing pier, a campground, and the unique bonus of being one of the best spots to watch rockets launch from Kennedy Space Center. Kids who are space fans will want to camp here specifically for launch nights. Plus giant cruise ships pass just offshore — kids love watching them go by.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Check SpaceX and NASA launch schedules — Jetty Park has an unobstructed view of launches that is genuinely spectacular.
- Book campsites months in advance for any launch date — they sell out fast.
- Fishing gear is welcome on the pier — no fishing license required for pier fishing in Florida.
- Watch for cruise ships departing Port Canaveral — kids love the massive scale of them.
- Arrive early on busy weekends — the parking lot fills and entry is capped.
What to Bring
- Beach gear (towels, umbrella, toys)
- Fishing gear if fishing
- Sunscreen and hats
- Full food supply (limited on-site options)
- Binoculars for ships and rockets
- Camping gear if staying overnight
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
~$20–$30 for day entry (parking/entry fee per vehicle); camping is additional — check portcanaveral.
Tips to Save
- The entry fee is very reasonable for what you get.
- Annual passes available for frequent visitors.
- Bring your own food to avoid paying for on-site concessions.
