A Tour of Our Public Facilities

Refuge Entrance
The refuge entrance is located on the west side of Hwy A1A, 3.7 miles north of CR 510 and 2.8 miles south of Sebastian Inlet. Historic Jungle Trail
The entrance is accessible from the north end of Historic Jungle Trail. Jungle Trail is an unpaved, public road meandering for 7-miles along the Indian River Lagoon. The Pelican Island Viewing Area
Features the site of the Centennial Trail and observation tower and Pete's Impoundment Trail. The Viewing Area has ample parking and bicycle racks.

The Centennial Trail
The Centennial Trail meanders along a paved path, through newly restored habitat, to a 1/4 mile boardwalk, over tidal mangrove habitat, and culminates at the 18ft observation tower to view Pelican Island. Round trip totals about 3/4 mile and takes about 1 hour. Informational Kiosk
An information kiosk contains 4 interpretive panels on establishing Pelican Island, protecting the refuge over the past 100 years, restoring habitat for wildlife, and creating public facilities for educational and recreational opportunities. A refuge brochure is available at this site. 7-Acre Lake
This 7-acre lake is part of the first phase of habitat restoration on the refuge. Bird watching opportunities are good at this site and best early in the morning or later in the afternoon. River otters are occasionally seen frolicking in the lake.

Rest Shelter
A rest shelter is located about halfway along the trail and situated overlooking the 7-acre lake. Interpretive Panels
Interpretive panels are positioned along the boardwalk featuring significant stories of the growth of the National Wildlife Refuge System during it's first 100 years. Boardwalk
The boardwalk features engraved planks of all the 540 national wildlife refuges established up to March 14, 2003. The planks are engraved with each refuge name, its state or territory, and establishment year. The boardwalk is universally accessible.

Observation Tower
The 1/4 mile boardwalk culminates to an 18 ft high observation tower. The tower affords the public the best view of Pelican Island and the Indian River Lagoon from land. View of Pelican Island
The bird life on Pelican Island varies seasonally. Peak nesting season is April through June with over 16 different species nesting. Brown pelicans and American wood storks dominate the islands nesting sites. Peak migratory bird season is November through March. Thousands of birds roost on Pelican Island during these months, making late afternoons a spectacular sight. Spotting Scopes
Two spotting scopes are positioned on the tower for close viewing of the birds on the island. One of the scopes is wheelchair accessible.

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PRIVACY DISCLAMER


Refuge Entrance The refuge entrance is located on the west side of Hwy A1A, 3.7 miles north of CR 510 and 2.8 miles south of Sebastian Inlet.	Historic Jungle Trail The entrance is accessible from the north end of Historic Jungle Trail. Jungle Trail is an unpaved, public road meandering for 7-miles along the Indian River Lagoon.	The Pelican Island Viewing Area Features the site of the Centennial Trail and observation tower and Pete's Impoundment Trail. The Viewing Area has ample parking and bicycle racks.


The Centennial Trail The Centennial Trail meanders along a paved path, through newly restored habitat, to a 1/4 mile boardwalk, over tidal mangrove habitat, and culminates at the 18ft observation tower to view Pelican Island. Round trip totals about 3/4 mile and takes about 1 hour.	Informational Kiosk An information kiosk contains 4 interpretive panels on establishing Pelican Island, protecting the refuge over the past 100 years, restoring habitat for wildlife, and creating public facilities for educational and recreational opportunities. A refuge brochure is available at this site.	7-Acre Lake This 7-acre lake is part of the first phase of habitat restoration on the refuge. Bird watching opportunities are good at this site and best early in the morning or later in the afternoon. River otters are occasionally seen frolicking in the lake.


Rest Shelter A rest shelter is located about halfway along the trail and situated overlooking the 7-acre lake.	Interpretive Panels Interpretive panels are positioned along the boardwalk featuring significant stories of the growth of the National Wildlife Refuge System during it's first 100 years.	Boardwalk The boardwalk features engraved planks of all the 540 national wildlife refuges established up to March 14, 2003. The planks are engraved with each refuge name, its state or territory, and establishment year. The boardwalk is universally accessible.


Observation Tower The 1/4 mile boardwalk culminates to an 18 ft high observation tower. The tower affords the public the best view of Pelican Island and the Indian River Lagoon from land.	View of Pelican Island The bird life on Pelican Island varies seasonally. Peak nesting season is April through June with over 16 different species nesting. Brown pelicans and American wood storks dominate the islands nesting sites. Peak migratory bird season is November through March. Thousands of birds roost on Pelican Island during these months, making late afternoons a spectacular sight.	Spotting Scopes Two spotting scopes are positioned on the tower for close viewing of the birds on the island. One of the scopes is wheelchair accessible.