Port Canaveral releases plan for Artemis II launch scheduled for Wednesday, April 1

Port Canaveral released its plan for access to the Port during the launch of NASA’s Artemis II from the Kennedy Space Center north of the Port. The launch is currently scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the launch window opening at 6:24 p.m.

Visitors hoping to watch the launch from Port Canaveral’s Jetty Park are advised that day passes for parking are sold out. Only day pass holders who pre-purchased parking and annual pass holders will be allowed access to Jetty Park, however, annual pass holders are not guaranteed entry. There are no other public parking options available on launch day.

Given the higher-than-normal traffic volumes on all roadways in and around Port Canaveral, visitors, vendors, and employees heading to the Port that day should plan for extra driving time.

What you need to know

• Jetty Park will maintain its normal operating hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and remain open until capacity is reached.
• Parking at The Cove is for business patrons only (parking is extremely limited due to a private function at one of the on-site restaurants). Lots will remain open until capacity is reached.
• All cruise terminal parking garages and surface lots are reserved for cruise guest parking only.
• No parking/viewing alongside SR 401, George King Boulevard or on Port property with the exception of limited parking at Jetty Park.
• Drone photography is strictly prohibited due to air space restrictions.

Electronic signs on State Road 528, A1A and on Port Canaveral roadways and intersections will advise motorists of road restrictions, as well as when parking capacity has been reached at designated parking areas. Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies will monitor traffic, control traffic at key intersections, and enforce parking on and around the Port. BCSO deputies will be patrolling the Port to enforce parking restrictions. The BCSO Marine Units will patrol Port waterways.

Canaveral Fire Rescue will have EMT’s roving Port-wide to assist and treat where needed.

Brevard Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will monitor county traffic and will be sharing Port traffic plans.

Jetty Park

• Parking at Jetty Park requires a day pass or annual pass. Day passes are sold out.
• For those with day passes, entry is guaranteed. Re-admission is not guaranteed for guests who leave the park and wish to return.
• Annual passholders are not guaranteed entry.
• Jetty Park will close when 100% vehicle capacity has been reached.
• Walk-ins and bicyclists will be allowed to enter the park until capacity is reached.
• Following the launch, vehicles departing Jetty Park will be directed by BCSO deputies onto Shorewood Drive towards N. Atlantic Blvd.

Boat ramps parking

• Freddie Patrick Boat Ramps and Rodney S. Ketcham Park Boat Ramps vehicle and trailer parking will be open and available to boaters on a first-come, first-serve basis until capacity is reached.
• Boat Ramps parking lots are exclusively for boater vehicles and trailers using boat ramps.

The Cove parking for restaurants and businesses

• Parking lots in The Cove dining district are for the exclusive use of Cove merchant patrons.
• A private function is being held at one of the on-site properties, further limiting parking capacity.
• Lots will close when maximum vehicle capacity is reached.

Traffic in and around the port

• Exploration Tower and adjacent parking lot are closed.
• All cruise terminal parking garages and nearby surface lots are open for cruise guest parking only.
• No parking allowed on George King Boulevard, SR 401, or any Port roadways.
• No parking on unpaved lots or grassy surface areas.
• No parking allowed on State Road 528 median (entire length).
• SR 401 will be open to vehicle traffic heading to the Port’s northside cruise terminals and cargo operations and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station checkpoints.
• Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Road Rangers will be patrolling I-95 and SR 528 to assist motorists with vehicle breakdowns and accident support.