Beacon 42 Boat Ramp at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

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See the Boat Launches web page for an interactive location map.

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The Beacon 42 Boat Ramp at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located at the end of a long dirt road that turns off of Kennedy Parkway just north of the Haulover Canal. The ramp—a double ramp with a small dock in the middle—launches into the western side of Mosquito Lagoon. A large, dirt parking lot can accommodate two dozen vehicles with trailers. The ramp is open for nighttime launching. Fishing is allowed from a boat on the waters of the canal, and Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, and Banana River Lagoon 24 hours a day.

Beacon 42 Boat Ramp at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

There is also a separate launch for hand-paddled watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. This is located just to the left of the motorboat ramp.

Beacon 42 Kayak Launch at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

There is a fee to use the Beacon 42 Boat Ramp, and this fee gets you a pass that is good for the day at any of the fee-based facilities within Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. You can get a pass online in advance at Recreation.gov, or on the day of your visit at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center or the self-pay kiosk located at the boat ramp (cash or check). You cannot get change if paying in cash at the ramp. If you need change, you must get a pass at the Visitor Center. I recommend first stopping at the Visitor Center anyway just to get basic information. National Park Service annual passes, Duck Stamps, Canaveral National Seashore passes, and annual Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge passes are also good for using the boat ramps at Merritt Island. Annual passes are on sale at the Visitor Center. The last time I visited, no credit or debit cards were accepted at the Visitor Center. I do not know if the policy has changed since, but be prepared to pay in cash or check. At the time of this writing the fee is $10 / day, but be sure to get the latest prices on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge’s Visit Us web page.

Beacon 42 Boat Ramp pay station at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

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