Lori Wilson Park

A lovely hidden gem for an out-of-towner! Was just looking for free beach access for a few hours and found so much more. The beach is large, quiet, and lovely. The maritime hammock and boardwalk was a special treat, though! I’ll be back.

This is a great spot to park at for the beach. Its SO easy with kids, and less populated than the cocoa beach pier. In fact, if you are visiting the area and want a more quiet space for the beach without all the tourism, then this is the spot. My family has been coming here for years. The board walk is right there to the beach. Barely a walk!

Loved this location, only thing that I hated was having to leave at dusk. Was so great watching the cruise ships leave and see dolphins swimming and jumping in and out of the water. Beautiful sunsets. Will go there again! Was 1 hr 10 mins from Winter Garden area.

We had the best time ever at this beach. It was our first time at the beach in florida. We are all students at Christ for all nations college. We sat on the beach and worshiped and we went evangelizing and leading others to christ. What a great place. The beach was absolutely amazing. We were greeted as soon as we hit the beach that has never happened to me before. We're definitely coming back to this beach. And if you live locally or if you're just coming through Florida you have got to visit Cocoa Beach

Nice small park, older but clean bathrooms and clean beach. The parking lot is small but there are 3 different spots to park. Short walk to the beach. Definitely popular. Sadly no shells worth picking up but the kids enjoyed the water. It has a couple rinse stations too!

Plenty of parking and a short walk to the beach over the dunes, and it opens up to a beautiful white soft sand, a very long and shallow beach edge, you can wade out 30 feet and just be up to your waist, Great for the little one. waves are medium to low on a good day, great for boogie boarding but not so much for surfing, there are vendors walking the beach, but my advice pack up your own snacks and beverages. no pets tho i did see a doggy living his best. Great view of the rocket launches if your lucky and the big cruise ships heading out to sea. also very sunny an umbrella is a must, grab the family and enjoy this beautiful local getaway!

I seriously can’t say enough good things. The beach was beautiful, the waves were perfect, and the sand was clean. Parking was free! Yes FREE! We got there about 9am on a Sunday. Parking was starting to fill up in the first lot. But there is a second lot that is further out towards the playgrounds. Bathrooms were clean and the board walk to the beach was a stunning little nature walk. The beach had tons of room so you weren’t right on top of anyone else. All around AMAZING and highly recommended!

Great beach access, parking and a tot lot with playground the kids can use before or after catching some small waves at the beach. One of my favorite spots

This is my go to spot to park at when visiting Cocoa Beach! There is plenty of parking and the best part about it is that it is FREE. I enjoy watching sunrises and this parking lot is open all the time to be able to park super early and walk out to the beach. There were so many bunnies running around in the early hours so there must be quite a bit of burrows nearby. The park/parking lot area seemed to be well kept. Everything looked clean with no trash thrown about. The trash cans were empty and not overflowing. There is a decent shower out front. Bathrooms were located nearby, however I did not go in them so I cannot speak on them or their cleanliness. The beach boardwalk was nice. The wood was in good shape and provided a nice stroll out to the sand. The beach was clean and beautiful. We had the most amazing morning here watching the sunrise and got beautiful photos. While we were there a photographer was getting shots of someone and I know they came out great because the backdrop was perfect. There is a Hilton next door with a restaurant inside so if you wish to walk over for a bite to eat, its only a few minute walk.

Lori Wilson Park is one of the best spots in the Cocoa Beach area and one of my favorite places to spend time by the ocean. The park is clean, well kept, and has everything you need for a beach day, including free parking, restrooms, showers, and shaded picnic areas. The beach access is easy, and unlike some other stretches of Cocoa Beach, it feels more relaxed and family friendly without losing that natural beauty. What makes Lori Wilson special is that it still feels open and accessible to the community. In an area where hotels and private developments are constantly trying to claim the coastline, this park is a reminder of how important it is to keep parts of the beach public and welcoming to everyone. Hopefully none of the hotels will ever be able to close it down, as there have been talks of that in the past. Spaces like this are what make Cocoa Beach great. Between the convenient location, the wide sandy beach, and the sense of community it offers, Lori Wilson Park is a must if you're visiting or if you live nearby. Whether you're surfing, walking, or just enjoying the view, it's one of those rare places that really brings people together.

I love the beach and love it even more when there are showers, bathrooms and parking all in one place and that's Lori Wilson Park. We have come even during holidays and loved it. It has an area closer to the street with a pavilion, a playground and parking and another closer to the water. We are huge fans and come often Pro-tip: you CAN park along the fence as long as you are at least 20 ft from the "no parking" signs.

Convenient and clean, the city park is right on the beach with plenty of parking. My go to parking spot on a weekday.

The Lori Wilson Park is located right on N Atlantic Ave in Cocoa Beach. It is a very nice park. They have clean bathrooms. Showers, chair and umbrella rentals. There is a big gazebo for parties and a nice playground. The beach is really nice and relaxing. I love coming here with my husband to have a drink or two by the beach, while enjoying the families around us, nice conversation and just relax.

I tried to come here on the weekend before and it is always much too crowded. They have a very large parking lot and you still can't find a spot to park on a weekend. I had an appointment in Cocoa Beach so I packed a bag, some snacks and my little dog and threw my beach chair in my car and thought I'd try my luck at getting a spot on the beach today. Monday turns out is a day that not many people are at the park. I parked right up front, got a prime spot near the water and soaked in the sunshine. The sun was shining. There was a breeze off the water. If only it was like this every day.

Lori Wilson Park is a nice enough destination in the Cocoa Beach, Florida area. There is plenty of parking and the view is definitely great. Also, check out "I Dream of Genie Lane" that pays homage to the television show set in Cocoa Beach.

Wonderful beach with soft sand. Sea turtles visit in the spring. You can see the launches from this beach. It can be crowded.

Perfect parking for the beach! They have a bathroom, that's usually decent, and an outdoor wash off area. Occasionally I can't find a spot, but there's another park close by!

A great beach with plenty of FREE parking. Unfortunately it does NOT allow dogs on the beach. The dog park is here on the south side but you are not supposed to bring your dog out on the beach. The dog area is 4th Street SOUTH about 1mile from here. The beach is beautiful with a great view of the NASA launch area. They have clean bathrooms and showers. Picnic areas covered and uncover. Cut out areas to set along the boardwalk as well which is dog friendly.

Every time I come to Cocoa Beach I park at this location. Parking is free and there is a wooden walkway from the parking area to the beach itself. The parking lot is not huge so if you're planning on going it's best to do so early in the morning or late afternoon. There are restrooms off to the side and also some outside showers for you to use to rinse off any additional sand. The water wasn't freezing cold so that was pleasant, but I highly recommend wearing sandals because the shower area can get muddy/sandy. This is a prime location for parking right on the main road to the beach and close to local shops and eateries.

The park itself has great access to the beach with a boardwalk between the parking lot and beach. There's also water showers to wash one's feet and wash off the sea weed. The big negative are the two bathrooms. Old, not well maintained. Let's face it, beach goers want a place to change and there's nothing there. No change tables for your baby. The city fathers need to step it up and renovate these neglected bathrooms. They've been like this for years. On the beach you'll find life guard stations close by and clean well maintained beach areas. Lori Wilson beach has been here for decades and is one of the few areas with more than adequate parking for cars and RV's.

Lori Wilson Park is a straight shot from Orlando East about 5-10 minutes past the cruise ships exit. 1 hour drive from West side of Orando to parking. The park itself is very nice, fairly small parking lot which will limit how many people on the beach. Limited lifeguards. Amenities - 2 outside showers & the bathroom is fairly small; not very clean the few times we have been there (even for public park standards). Ron John Surf Shop isn't too far if your forget something. There is a food truck outside selling some cold drinks and limited sandwiches. No restaurants or bars within walking distance. Nice place to get away for the day to the beach, bring your own stuff and you'll enjoy.

What a great place! Very clean restrooms to change in as well as an outdoor shower ! Smaller side parking lot so I can see how it could get filled quickly. They had a rental place at the beach with chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards. This was nice being from out of town. $30 for the day for 2 chairs and a umbrella. This is a tucked away beach so GPS was super helpful. Almost missed the turn. Great hidden gem.

This park is a great spot to park if you are going to the beach. I would recommend arriving in the early morning or the afternoon because parking is limited (free parking is a win). I came in the afternoon and was able to find a spot as people were leaving for the day. It is a short walk on the bridge path to the beach itself and it is very convenient right off the main road. It made my beach experience easy. I love the beach here because it has great sand and wonderful waves. It is crowded near the main path on the beach during the weekends because there are rentals but, if you walk farther away, it is less crowded. I would recommend visiting.

If I am spending the day on Cocoa Beach I prefer to go to Lori Wilson Park. They have clean bathrooms, pavilions, outdoor shower, boardwalk and more. It's always clean, well maintained and family friendly The parking area fills up quickly so you have to arrive early.

Awesome day for the Cocoa Beach AirShow . Two years have gone by and today was the first time I actually got to go to this beach... Due to the Air Show it was crowded but the beach is kept up nicely. Definitely want to go back soon ....

Beautiful place, clean, plenty of parking spots and it's so close to the beach. Also, the parking is free, just don't miss a turn.

There are not many places left in Cocoa Beach that offer free parking, Lori Wilson Park is one of them. The park has bathrooms and an outdoor shower area. There are lifeguards on duty here and its a very short walk from parking to beach. As far as Atlantic coast beaches mid point in the state, the beach itself is very nice. The sand has a nice texture and free of rocks There is also plenty of sand between the dunes and the water so that it can handle a lot of people and you can still have your own personal space. If you didn't bring your own umbrella they are available to rent. Overall this is a great beach for the family.

Great beach for families to visit! When we went on spring break, it actually wasn't that busy and had a life guard on duty. The beach was clean and had a very cute walkway not far from parking.

This is a nice local beach with free Parking. There is a lifeguard on duty which is a nice perk and there are umbrella rentals available as well. There are restrooms available which is also a plus.

Free parking, public restrooms, clean, and much less crowded than other beaches. Beach beauty without too much corporate.

Free parking, outdoor shower, bathroom...all within a close walk to the beach (just at the end of the boardwalk). Umbrella and chair rental was also available at the beach so no need to lug a bunch of stuff if you're just there for the afternoon.

With a beautiful Atlantic beach ahead of you as you're driving on I Dream of Jeannie Lane......Yep! You've just entered the perfect 'Sit-Come'.....LOL! Come and Sit on the dune backed beach as you gaze towards the pads of the Cape. Could this be the place where Major Tony Nelson took off from and eventually met his Genie in a bottle? Hmmmmm. Lots of parking spaces, a boardwalk, restrooms and even a dog park makes Lori Wilson Park a nice paradise off the asphalt trail. Convenient to all of the Space Coast attractions, this beach beckons you. Have fun and don't forget the sunscreen!

It was a lazy day, which meant the perfect day to spend the lazy afternoon at the beach. Cocoa Beach isn't the Gulf of Mexico (my preferred Florida body of water) but we didn't want to waste the beautiful weather. FREE PARKING and accessible bathrooms seem to be a huge plus, per the reviews below... as well as that "snow cone truck" that sells soft drinks and snacks, as well. There aren't many available showers to rinse off the sand and salt - rather, there's one kind of in the middle of everyone so all the creepy old grandpas can watch you rinse off... which made things a little uncomfortable. My sister and I rinsed off quickly before we went to change in the women's bathroom. The beach is pretty quiet (at least on a weekday) so if you can... try to make it a weekday beach trip!

I am in love with Lori Wilson Park. What's not to love? Free parking, lots of beautiful sand and water all around. You can rent two lounge chairs and an umbrella, already set up for you on the beach! $20 for a whole day!! And considering there's no charge for parking, this is a fantastic deal. On the day I chose to come, there was a small crowd, but I was never bothered by noise or sand being kicked around. I felt like I was the only one on the beach. I closed my eyes for a little while and just listened to the continuous roar of the Atlantic ocean. There were kids and their parents frolicking in the water and people playing frisbee, but none of it mattered. The experience was just so fantastically enjoyable and relaxing.

I am so happy we discovered Lori Wilson Park. We just happened to find the park as we were driving down the coast looking for a place to park and go to the beach. We came during the off-season so parking was free (not sure if that is always the case) which was a nice bonus to find. There are bathrooms/changing rooms onsite. If you are not into beach-going, they have an interesting boardwalk that goes through some of the shoreline where you can spot birds and other wildlife. The beach was nice, with light brown "cocoa" looking sand. Water is pretty clean and clear. It was a little difficult to push our stroller around so I would opt to not bring one next time. The park is right off the main drag so it is easy to find and get on/off. Great place for the thrifty traveler with kids.

We wanted to enjoy cocoa beach but didn't want to pay for parking. We found this place on reviews of free parking showers and baths. There was plenty of parking and it was right off the path into cocoa beach. The area looks safe and clean a lot of families parked in this area. There was also a food stand that was selling shaved ice and you can put any flavorings you wish. There was two shower areas outside to wash off the sand from your head and one for your feet. The bathrooms were clean and well-kept. Overall the experience to go to cocoa beach was memorable if I'm in the area again I would go here to park my car.

Lori Wilson park is just a little farther down than Ron Jon and is a perfect beach spot in Cocoa. Free parking, close bathrooms & showers, and quieter atmosphere. There was even a little "food truck" selling snow cones and other drinks. On the beach, the sand is great. There is plenty of room to spread out if you have a big group with you. There is a volleyball net and it was not occupied when we were there. I definitely recommend driving just another 2 minutes past Ron Jon and take advantage of this spot!

This is. Very nice beach WITH the option to rent chairs & umbrellas. Makes it all so much easier beach . It's a deep beach with lots of free parking. We got there around 9 or 10 and had no problem getting a spot. When we left just before lunch people were circling looking for spots. There's a food truck with some drinks & snacks. Think they might have hotdogs & hamburgers too - not sure. And a very large playground for the kids. And most importantly for me, clean restrooms.

We've been going to Lori Wilson park for years. I love everything about it. parking is tight, but we've always found something (and it's free) the restrooms are large and the showers always work. The beach access is perfect, and it has the hotel bar right next door. The dog park is an interesting touch, but I always see it in use. Love Lori Wilson Park- never change.

A serene setting follows a wooden boardwalk weaving through trees and hugging the shoreline. Maritime Hammock trail is just one of features of Lori Wilson's 32 acre park. There is plenty of parking, sandy beaches, a playground and covered gazebo's for grilling or family picnics. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well kept. There is even a fenced in section for you let your dogs run off the leash!

I love this park! There is a dog park near the highway, some picnic spots in the middle, a lovely boardwalk leading you to the beach, a pretty nature/birding trail, AND an amazing and beautiful beach! What more could you want? A bar or cafe, perhaps, but you won't find one here. The location is nice because Cocoa Beach is pretty built up to the north and south of Lori Wilson Park. But here, you don't have hotels looming over you. The sand is so fine it squeaks under your feet. My daughter and I visited in December and the water was swimmably warm. Tiny waves make this a good swim spot, but there can be a rip current, so be careful. There is a lifeguard on site, which is nice. The afternoon we spent here felt like paradise. I truly didn't want to leave.

Great day at the beach. The water isn't blue like the gulf but it's clean and clear. Waves were strong and sand was clean. Best part if you are staying in Orlando, it's 1 hr away and parking is free just get there early to get a spot. If you are staying at hotel and didn't bring your own blanket or whatever there's umbrellas and chairs for rent as well as tubes, boogie boards. There's a bathroom and there was a little stand selling snow cones and beverages near the bathroom.'there are also showers. Because it was summer there are passing showers thunderstorms so I suggest you get there early bc the times I've gone it's rained around 230.

Floridians are all beach snobs, right? We have our favorite spots, know where the college students go, where the tourists go, where there are tons of shells, where there are good waves. We have it all figured out. So when you find a new beach you like it's a big deal. This was my first visit to Lori Wilson park and I was so surprised. For a beach in Cocoa it is a great find. We arrived around 9 and there was plenty of parking. But it's Florida in July so by the time we left people were very happy to wait five minutes to get my spot. It was full. The beach itself was gorgeous. No shells, but that was fine with me. There are lifeguards posted along the beach. We picked a spot at the north end of the beach just before a hotel and there was a sign that that was the end of the lifeguard territory so I tried to keep the kids from passing that marker (I guess they won't rescue people past that point?). There were good-sized waves here. My kids did a lot of boogie-boarding and we saw a few surfers out. There are restroom facilities which is a plus. The ladies room was pretty nasty but it worked. We parked at the north entrance. There is a second entrance on "I Dream of Jeanie Drive" that has a dog park but we didn't make it over there. There is a nature trail which I would have loved to do but we didn't have the time. I will have to go back. From where I live in Orlando this is the closest nice beach I have found. This will be my new go-to beach for day trips.

My cousin flew in to Ft Lauderdale for vacation so I mapped it out and saw that Cocoa Beach/ Cape Canaveral is a half way point for us to meet up. The park has free parking and direct access to the Beach. Took in some waves and sun at the Beach for a few hours before we rinsed off and dried off and went to dinner about a half mile down the road. Bonus points for having a wheelchair ramp for my special needs nephew, free parking & serviceable restrooms. We found a nice spot.

We drove down the coast for a beach day at the end of our vacation and stumbled across this beach. It was beautiful. It wasnt crowded at all, and it was clean. Two important things I look for in a beach. The parking was a bit pricey, however it seemed just paying for the rest of the day instead of hourly saves you in the long run.

This is a great park! The parking is free, unless there's a special event. They have pavilions, restrooms, beach access, and rinsing stations. Get there early to get a good parking and beach spot!

Great area. Free parking. Close access to the beach. Clean bathrooms. Beach is clean and well maintained. Not over crowded. Able to rent chairs and umbrellas if you want. We brought our own. Ice cream cart comes by. The kids got treats. There is also a stand next to the bathroom/changing area with drinks and snow cones.

What a great place to park and have access to the beach. It is free to park. Bathrooms to use (which weren't the cleanest but I have seen worse). Easy access to the ocean with lots of space to spread out. It had amenities that other places don't have. Lots of parking but we have had trouble finding space during certain times of the year. Worth using access if you can find a parking spot.

Sweet spot, bro....Found reviews online for this park and came the Saturday of Labor day weekend. Parking was almost full when rolled in at 9.30am but it was a short walk across the boardwalk to a really nice beach. Hired an umbrella with 2 loungers for $20 and we got a place right in front of the ocean. This is a great spot for families and our young boys. Lots of surfers and boogie boards out but still plenty of room in the water for everyone. It's a couple of miles north of Cocoa Beach itself so if you want to avoid downtown this is definitely a good choice. Only downside I would say are the facilities. Rundown bathrooms with only one shower that was half broken to clean off. Just get there early on a busy weekend!

Started going to the beach every Sunday as of late. I grew up in the area so I have been coming here for years but never took it for a park more of a parking lot. It's on if the most convenient places I find when heading out to the beach. However depending on the one of day and luck of when you pull in the place can fill up super quick, leaving you parked with a decent walk just to get through the parking area. They have two sets of outdoor showers and bathrooms. I've seen a hot dog stand set up for a quick bite. Their beach access also hosts a couple life guard posts relatively close to where the park meets the beach. This is the stomping ground but I also need to find other relatable places to compare. Currently this is the solo contender on my list, however the park is a die hard and great place to access the beach for no cost.

I really like this park. Its free and has easy beach access. The only con is that if you don't get there early enough you have to park towards the back and it's a bit of a hike.

Great spot at Cocoa Beach. Friends old us about this place and I am glad we listened. There is a place to rent chairs and umbrellas BUT they do take them away at 4pm - that was a bummer. They have places to wash off too which is nice.

Nice beach, easy access and well kept showers and bathrooms. Not the best surf in the world but on the right swell and wind it can be fun to surf...

This is billed as a pet-friendly beach. NOT!! I went to check it out before bringing dog over. Lifeguard explained that the beach is open for pets in the morning....he seemed exasperated and tired of explaining the crazy rules. DO NOT bring your pet here.

Great access to a great beach. Free parking with toilets and outdoor showers. Beach is super clean, and water is nice and warm. Nice touch is take a toy leave a toy box at the beach entrance. Lifeguards on the beach, 2 sun beds and an umbrella was $20 for the day. Lots of families but didn't feel busy. Would definitely return to this beach.

OK YELPERS, here's the deal. Don't tell anyone else about this park. It is a county park, free parking. The dog park is one of the best things the City of Cocoa Beach has ever done (the park is a joint venture between the city and the county). We love it. The nature trail in the center is a great escape from all the noise that a beach town has to offer. I grew up here, and Lori Wilson Park is one of the best things this wonderful barrier island has to offer. Just don't tell anyone else!

family - friendly beach, plus points: that it's close 1+ hour drive from Orlando, free parking and beach chairs /umbrellas to rent if needed from 9am - 4 pm currently.