11/02/2026
Temporary Changes to Visitor Access at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is making a temporary adjustment to visitor access in support of NASA’s Max Power Event. These changes will be in effect from November 4 – 8, 2026. Normal access to refuge facilities will resume on Monday November 9, 2026.
CLOSED:
· 2.5 mile Peacocks Pocket Road to all public access including driving, bicycling and pedestrian traffic
· Palm and Oak Hammock Trails (November 7-8 ONLY)
· Center Road (November 7-8 ONLY)
· South end of Biolab Road (November 7-8 ONLY)
· East Gator Creek Road (November 7-8 ONLY)
OPEN:
· Refuge Visitor Center
· Black Point Wildlife Drive
· BioLab Drive will remain open from the north access gate to the Max Hoeck Road intersection, where there is adequate space for visitors to safely turn around. The National Park Service will close the southern access gate. This restriction affects approximately 0.85 miles of the six-mile BioLab Drive. Pedestrian and bicycle access will remain allowed within the restricted segment, minimizing disruption to public use.
· West Gator Creek Road and Catfish Creek Road will remain open. The only affected route will be the exit through East Gator Creek Road.
· The Peacocks Pocket impoundment levee will remain open for pedestrian and bicycle access from the western access point. Access from the east via Peacocks Pocket Road will be closed.
· Scrub Ridge Trail and Pine Flatwoods Trail will remain open to the public.
Why the changes? These steps help keep everyone safe and protect resources during the event, and were requested by Kennedy Space Center. Peacocks Pocket Road is located adjacent to and west of the SLF runway, within the vicinity of the planned aerobatic box for the airshow and aerial demonstrations. This closure is necessary for public safety ensuring no one except emergency personnel have access to this area during flight operations.
