Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway

Three kayakers paddle down the St. Sebastian River past draperies of lush plant life.

Two kayakers pause at a sandbar to look at shorebirds on the Indian River Lagoon.

Roseate spoonbills, great egrets, American white pelicans, snowy egrets, wood storks, and great blue herons can all be seen at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Flowers and shrubbery sprout from the seemingly inhospitable sand dunes next to the beach.

Visitors gaze out over the calm water from under the shady roof of the Grant House Fisherman's Pier on Island River Lagoon, in Grant, Florida.

A visitor gets the inside scoop from a tour guide at the Grant House.

Visitors to the Grant House in Grant, Florida, beat the heat on a cozy covered porch.

A crowd gathers outside the Lagoon House for a picture.

The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge resides within Kennedy Space Center. This provides a unique blend of pristine natural and recreational resources with the space age technology of NASA.

This boat ramp at Cocoa Beach provides access for colorful kayakers.

Men fish off a flat near the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway.

The morning light breaks over wind-shorn runner oaks in Malibar.

The sun rises over an island known to locals as "Bird Island."

Paul Kroegel with a pelican on Pelican Island, Florida.

The Lagoon House in the City of Palm Bay will welcome visitors on the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway.

The statue of Paul Kroegel at Pelican Island, Florida.

The Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway traverses a thin stretch of land, with the calm waters of the Indian River Lagoon to the east and the crashing breakers of the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

A sunbather catches some rays at James H. Nance Park.

A would-be sailor examines the boats docked at Sebastian Inlet State Park.

A pelican enjoys a lazy moment on a pond at Pelican Island National Wildlife Reserve.

Palm trees line a trail in Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge.

This calm stretch of sand extends from the Grant House to the Island River Lagoon.

National Historic Landmark plaque at Pelican Island, Florida.

The Lagoon House in the City of Palm Bay will welcome visitors on the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway.

Boating is always a pleasure on the Indian River Lagoon, so people travel whenever they can on the waterway.

This aerial shows a view of the diverse biosystem and beauty of the Indian River Lagoon.

Participants help with the dedication of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

A speaker addresses the audience at the Pelican Island NWR dedication.

Participants help with the dedication of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Some of the national wildlife refuge\'s namesakes grace the dedication with their presence.

A visitor takes advantage of the telescope to get a better view at wildlife.

A crowd gathers outside the Lagoon House for a picture.

A lone cyclist takes to Cocoa Beach for a sunrise ride next to the waves.

Florida's Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway receives their designation plaque at the Designation 2002 event at Union Station in Washington DC.

Visitors at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex admire the gigantic Apollo Saturn V Rocket.

Three adventurers kayak in the cool waters at Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Fishing the Indian River Lagoon, one of the best angling spots in America.

In order to fully experience the peaceful appeal of the real Florida, rent a canoe or kayak on the Indian River Lagoon and try your hand at paddling your way to pleasant adventures.

Colorful Hobbie Cats (a popular kind of sail boat) ply waters near the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway.

A black labrador is praised by a hunter for retrieving waterfowl during hunting season.

An American alligator grins toothily as it stealthily crawls through the grasslands of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The sheltered pavilion at Sendler Education Outpost is the ideal setting for hosting environmental education programs.

Father and sons prepare to fish along the bank on a clear spring day.

The thunderous waves crash to the shore as the cattails sway in the wind.

A pair of American Bald Eagles perches royally on bare branches at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The American flag waves majestically over Merritt Island\'s Visitor Information Center.

A pair of blue-winged teal ducks swim near the shore while a third looks on.

The local ranger educates curious children and other visitors about the birds that can be found at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

One of the many mammals found at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, this manatee floats placidly for inquisitive visitors to observe.

This is one of two learning-oriented trails at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge where visitors can take a short walk through the wetlands and learn about the ecology.

This federally threatened Florida scrub jay perches cautiously along the Scrub Ridge Trail, part of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.