Cocoa Beach · SR 520 · Beach day guide
An easy first beach stop
An oceanfront park near the east end of SR 520, with shops and places to eat nearby. A practical choice when you want a beach entrance with several facilities.
Alan Shepard Park, East Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL
Paid city parking
Restrooms · showers · picnic pavilions · beach rentals
Getting to Alan Shepard Park
Follow SR 520 east across A1A toward the ocean, then use the signed Alan Shepard Park parking entrance.
The city uses different street numbers on its park and parking pages; navigate by the park name. Pay for the signed parking zone when you arrive.
A convenient stop near SR 520
The park sits near Cocoa Beach’s surf-shop district, making it easy to pair an ocean visit with lunch or browsing nearby businesses. The city lists picnic pavilions, restrooms, showers and beach rentals. Bring shade and water for your time on the sand.
Parking & swimming
Use the signed city parking area and pay for the correct zone. The city lists more than 300 spaces, but a busy weekend can still mean a wait. Brevard lists a full-time lifeguard tower at Shepard; confirm it is staffed and check flags before swimming.
The five-acre park is named for astronaut Alan Shepard. Its location pairs beach time with the area’s surf-shop district.
Before you head onto the sand
Use designated dune crossovers, bring water and sun protection, and check posted conditions. Park access and facility availability may change. Swim near a staffed lifeguard tower and follow flag warnings.
Cocoa Beach’s designated dog-beach area is south of downtown, from 4th Street South to the north side of Murkshe Park, with restricted morning and evening hours. Do not assume dogs are permitted on the ocean beach at this destination.
City parking details · Beach & dog rules
Updated October 2026. Check official information and posted signs for current prices, access, hours and conditions.
Keep exploring the coast
Compare nearby parks and entrances, or round out your day with a meal and an overnight stay.
