Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park
A tranquil, less crowded beach park south of Cocoa Beach, offering a peaceful escape with picnic facilities and dog-friendly hours.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, best for dogs
Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, best for dogs
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A tranquil, less crowded beach park south of Cocoa Beach, offering a peaceful escape with picnic facilities and dog-friendly hours.
"Perfect for a low-key beach day away from the crowds, with clean facilities and a peaceful vibe."
🚗 Limited Parking Alert
Parking is scarce! Arrive early, especially on weekends, or consider visiting nearby parks if full.
🐾 Dog Hours Check
Dogs allowed 6-10 AM & 4-7 PM (later DST). Always verify signs for current rules.
Quick Facts
Rating
4.7 · 284 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Tranquil Beach Access
Beachfront
Escape the crowds on this peaceful stretch of sand, ideal for relaxation and quiet beach days.
Picnic Pavilion
Near parking lot
Enjoy a meal with a view at the park's pavilion, complete with tables and a grill for a perfect beachside picnic.
Dolphin & Turtle Spotting
Near the water
Keep an eye out for playful dolphins and sea turtles, especially during early morning or late afternoon hours.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Secluded Beach Bliss
Doggy Beach Day Details
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Limited Parking Alert
Parking is scarce! Arrive early, especially on weekends, or consider visiting nearby parks if full.
🐾 Dog Hours Check
Dogs allowed 6-10 AM & 4-7 PM (later DST). Always verify signs for current rules.
Never been to Cocoa Beach, how do I get started on visiting?
I have seen the exit on the highway but have never been to the beach there. Looking to get started on visiting and looking for suggestions on where to park, where to access the beach, what to bring, and where to eat. Just want to go and hang out for a few hours on the sand and…
🏖️ Secluded Beach Vibe
Enjoy a peaceful beach day away from the typical tourist hustle. Perfect for relaxation.
🚿 Rinse Off Easily
Convenient foot-washing station available to clean off sand before heading home.
Public parking
Thinking about visiting Cocoa Beach in mid-late Aug. I was wondering how accessible/available the public parking spots along the beach are on weekdays. I am looking at those spots that drive up to the beach (like N 2nd St). Tough to find what the parking rates are like. Another…
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Limited Parking Alert
Parking is scarce! Arrive early, especially on weekends, or consider visiting nearby parks if full.
🐾 Dog Hours Check
Dogs allowed 6-10 AM & 4-7 PM (later DST). Always verify signs for current rules.
🏖️ Secluded Beach Vibe
Enjoy a peaceful beach day away from the typical tourist hustle. Perfect for relaxation.
🚿 Rinse Off Easily
Convenient foot-washing station available to clean off sand before heading home.
🐢 Wildlife Sightings
Great spot for spotting dolphins and sea turtles, especially near the bridge.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park for its peaceful, less crowded atmosphere, making it a great alternative to busier Cocoa Beach spots. The availability of restrooms and a picnic pavilion adds to its convenience. However, some confusion exists regarding dog access rules, and parking can be very limited.
"We were hunting a more secluded beach at Cocoa beach. This park/ publix beach access was perfect! Because it is in a residential area rather than a hotel area there were not a lot of people, mainly polite families scattered here and there. It was exactly what we were hunting. And there was a spot to wash the sand off of your feet and a public bathroom that was cleaner than most public beach bathrooms."
Cheryl Horn
"Nice little park with picnic table, restrooms and beach access. Only a dozen parking spots plus a couple handicapped spots, but lots of other small parks nearby. Clean park and beach"
Robert Banach
"Dogs allowed, however, upon exiting the parking lot and approaching the little pedestrian footbridge to the beach there is a large sign that says no dogs!?!?!
If you keep walking, cross the footbridge, and turn left once you hit the sand, there is a sign (see my photos here) that says dog friendly beach!!!
But dogs are only permitted from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and then 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (unless it's daylight savings time, then you can take your dog until 9:00 p.m.) See my photos for the sign about dog hours.
Human Hours: Dawn to dusk. There are public restrooms off of the parking lot (steps away from the beach). The parking lot holds about 25 cars. Only 3 spaces used at sunrise when we visited!"
Mike Dooley
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The park is located south of Cocoa Beach, Florida, in a residential area. It's accessible by car, but parking is limited.
Yes, there is free parking, but the lot is small and can fill up quickly, especially on busy days.
Visiting on weekdays or during early mornings and late afternoons generally offers a less crowded experience.
Yes, it's a feasible day trip from Orlando, offering a quieter beach alternative to more popular spots. The drive is approximately 1 hour.
It's situated in a residential area just south of the main Cocoa Beach strip, offering a more local feel.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, entry to the park and beach access is free. Parking is also complimentary.
Human access is typically from dawn to dusk. Specific dog hours apply.
No advance booking is required as there is no admission fee.
Generally, standard beach items are allowed. Check local signage for any specific restrictions, especially regarding dogs.
The park offers restrooms, beach access, and a pavilion with picnic tables and a grill.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can relax on the beach, swim, sunbathe, have a picnic, and potentially spot wildlife like dolphins and sea turtles.
Compared to other Cocoa Beach locations, this park offers a more secluded and less crowded beach experience.
Yes, there are public restrooms located off the parking lot, close to the beach access.
While not explicitly stated as a fishing spot, people are often seen fishing nearby, particularly from the pedestrian bridge.
The sand is typical of the Florida coast – soft and light, suitable for sunbathing and walking.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture serene beach scenes, the pedestrian bridge, and potentially wildlife like dolphins. Early morning and late afternoon offer beautiful light.
The pedestrian footbridge leading to the beach is a common and picturesque spot for photos.
Sunrise and sunset provide the most dramatic and beautiful lighting for beach photography.
Yes, it's a good location for wildlife photography, especially for dolphins and sea turtles if you're lucky.
Due to its less crowded nature, it's generally easier to capture photos with fewer people in the background.
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Social
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