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Reported: October 2020

Chain of Lakes Park... Titusville, FL

Bike with Birds and Alligators on Florida's Space Coast

Chain of Lakes Park (92 acres) is located between US 1 and the Indian River in Titusville. The Park serves two functions. It was primarily developed for stormwater retention to protect the waters of the Indian River Lagoon. It is also a recreational complex with baseball and soccer fields, playgrounds, and features a paved 3-mile multi-use trail circling around and between a series of manmade lakes, which drain through wetlands before reaching the Lagoon. The result is a haven for wading birds, along with other wildlife, including alligators. An Observation Tower overlooks the Park and Indian River. The Park also serves as a trailhead for the East Central Regional Rail Trail, part of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail. (Map link and photos below.)

Map Link...
Chain of Lakes Park Trail

View larger map

Location: Titusville (Brevard County)
Mileage: 3 mile paved trail, additional unpaved and on Park roads
Surface: Asphalt, some dirt/grass
Nearby Points of interest: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Kennedy Space Center

Bike Shops/Rentals:

Ten Speed Drive Bicycle Center (Titusville)

Page Summary:

Biking at Chain of Lakes Park
- South Section - Observation Tower
- North Section
Chain of Lakes Park
- Park Recreational Facilities
- Wildlife
More Information and Resources

Biking at Chain of Lakes Park... Comments and Photos

We were pleasantly surprised by this gem for biking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Located near Eastern Florida State College and Parrish Medical Center, this is much more than an athletic complex. The 3-mile paved trail circles and crosses the Park. Many families out walking and biking on this day. The section on the eastern side of the Park along the Indian River is most natural with views of lakes, wetlands, and wildlife. There are several parking areas - park at any, as the trail runs close to everything. (Note: not to be confused with the Chain of Lakes Trail in Winter Haven.)

South Section - Observation Tower

Here the trail circles a large retention lake with many birds and alligators - we spotted a 6- to 8-footer by each of the 3 concrete spillways (water runoff from the lakes is filtered through a restored saltwater marsh). While you can walk or bike on the spillways at low water, boardwalks are provided for when the water is high. The Observation Tower in this section provides wide views of the park, marshes, and Indian River Lagoon. On a clear day, you can see Kennedy Space Center. This section is unshaded.

On the trail

Onto the trail

Past playing fields

To the lake

Picnic tables

Boardwalk around a spillway

Around the lake

Heron at spillway

Gator at spillway

To observation tower

Observation Tower

The tower

Park view to the south

Park view to the west

Indian River Lagoon-east view

Filtering marsh to Lagoon

Heading down

North Section

This section goes past 2 more lakes (with even more birds than the other side), and includes some wooded areas with shade. We rode along the paved trail, then as a change of pace, we completed our loop by cutting through the woods on the unpaved path. This path is lined with some majestic old palm trees, perhaps an entrance way for an old estate home.

Bench past the tower

Another spillway

Bridge

Ducks

View of lake

Along John Jay Rd.

Onto unpaved trail

Exiting woods, another bridge

Back to playing fields

Chain of Lakes Park

Chain of Lakes Park Recreational Facilities

The park has multiple parking areas, restrooms, picnic tables and pavilions, playgrounds, lighted youth and adult baseball fields, soccer fields, and concessions. The paved bike/hike path weaves around all.