We want to watch the launch on Wednesday. I just discovered today Playlanda Beach is closed, and Jetty Park is annual pass holders only. Is there a place where we can watch the launch and either stay in the motorhome, or at least very close to it?

For one of the last shuttle launches I got there very early (7pm for an 11am liftoff) and was able to get a standard parking spot in the parking lot at the causeway for my truck camper. Would have needed to get there earlier in the day for a motor home. If it had gone off I would of had great views. Kicking myself now for not waiting for the next attempt which would have been late that night as it went off.One thing to keep in mind is there is about a 40% of having good enough weather for the launch on Wednesday with the next attempt on Saturday.

jspringator, Playalinda Beach is likely closed because the launch is from pad 39A which is the closest pad to the beach. We spent the winter in Mims, FL and watched all of the launches while we were there. We watched several on U.S. 1 at Rt. 50 (Cheney Highway) There's a Wahlgreens at that intersection that's large enough for your motorhome. Or there's Space View Park in Titusville. There's also parking along side A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway but sometimes that gets closed. Wherever you choose to watch from, looking at the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) at KSC, your view will be to the North side of that building.Normally, I would say to get to a location 90 minutes ahead of a launch but since this is the first manned launch in several years, arrive a good 3 hours ahead of the launch time. There will be thousands of people there to watch!

I don't know how close you need to be to get a good view of a rocket launch. But a couple years ago we camped at Manatee Hammock Campground near Titusville. There were no launches while we were there, but I have a mental note to try to go back there when there are launches to watch. It is almost directly across the Indian River from Cape Canaveral. You can see the larger structures of the Kennedy Space Center complex from the campground. I think it would be a great place to watch a launch. Not too close; not too far away. I think you'd have a great view of the rocket as it gets farther up in the atmosphere than you would if you were as close as possible to the launch site. Of course, if what you are looking for is the ground-rattling, up-close-and-personal experience, that's something else.-Speak

NASA has asked the public not to attend for what it’s worth.

November '08, we watched the last night launch from a parking lot across US1 from the McDonalds. Didn't see the actual lift off from the ground, but we knew it was coming as the entire sky on the island lit up orange as the engines roared to life, and the shuttle cleared the treeline a few seconds later. Doesn't work as well, or impress as much, for a daylight launch.

Where to watch rocket launch in or near motorhome?

Ro_n_Joe
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2021
Watched a launch from Pad 39A earlier this month. Playalinda Beach #1 is closed but we parked at the next beach to the north Playalinda 2 (very close to Playalinda 1). Walked up the beach past Playalinda 1 to where they blocked us from going further. I understand it's better to watch elsewhere if a launch occurs at another pad.
jspringator
Explorer
Feb 21, 2021
We liked it. Brand new bath house where we were in the west side. Only problem was weak internet. Really too slow to use. I need some kind of booster or antenna. Sites were full but didn’t seem crowded.
steveh27
Explorer
Feb 21, 2021
jspringator wrote:
Went back to the same spot last week and viewed a launch! We were at EG Simmons outside Tampa, and heard about the launch on the news We drove over there in a rental car for the 10:59 pm launch. The place was deserted. We are 1 for 3. Next I want to see a Falcon Heavy launch.

I've stayed at EG Simmons numerous years. How is it now? Crowded? All the restrooms open & working?
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Feb 21, 2021
Better than me.

We saw one from that park in 2019. Right now we are in far south Texas, 73 miles from the Boca Chica pads, and 68 miles from the best watching point.

But the past week's weather had put a hold on all major activity. We hope Starship Sn10 will fly during our stay.

But without needing an orbit window, they just run tests. As long as they don't hit a no-go, the countdown continues.

So folks never know when it will fly.
jspringator
Explorer
Feb 21, 2021
Went back to the same spot last week and viewed a launch! We were at EG Simmons outside Tampa, and heard about the launch on the news We drove over there in a rental car for the 10:59 pm launch. The place was deserted. We are 1 for 3. Next I want to see a Falcon Heavy launch.
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
May 30, 2020
Did you make it back to watch the successful launch today?
MDKMDK
Explorer
May 28, 2020
NP. Or, you could probably just park in the airport parking lot. Not sure if it's a PPU lot, though?
jspringator
Explorer
May 28, 2020
Thanks!
MDKMDK
Explorer
May 28, 2020
jspringator wrote:
We have to get back. It takes us 2 easy days. That cut out is perfect for a short motorhome.

I'm at a rest area just outside of St. Augustine. I hope they don't kick me out.

If they do, and I doubt they would, there's a huge mall just off the I-95, just north of Jacksonville, opposite side from the airport, at the same exit. Lots of parking there, and a Starbucks for morning coffee, if you're into that sort of thing.
jspringator
Explorer
May 28, 2020
We have to get back. It takes us 2 easy days. That cut out is perfect for a short motorhome.

I'm at a rest area just outside of St. Augustine. I hope they don't kick me out.

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Where to watch rocket launch in or near motorhome?

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