Please click your browser's "Refresh" button to Refresh Page.
Top right layout image
Home | Find a Park | Event Calendar | Activities | Park Guide | Contact Us | Make us your Homepage
One of many antique door knobs at Koreshan.

Welcome to Koreshan State Historic Site

Throughout its history, Florida has welcomed pioneers of all kinds. Cyrus Reed Teed was probably the most unusual, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began fading after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Today, visitors can fish, picnic, boat, and hike where Teed´s visionaries once carried out survey experiments to prove the horizon on the beaches of Lee County curves upward. A boat ramp and canoe rentals are available. Visitors can take self-guided tours of the settlement or a ranger-guided tour. For overnight stays, the park has a full-facility campground. Campers can enjoy campfire programs every Friday night from January through March. Located on U.S. 41 at Corkscrew Road.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Koreshan State Historic Site, please call 239-992-0311.

Book Your Vacation Spot Now!
Reserve America - Reserve your cabin or campsite today

Get more information on making a reservation.


Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

I-75 Exit 123 Corkscrew Road, head west 2 miles, cross U.S. 41 and continue on Corkscrew Road approximately 1000 yards to entrance of park. If traveling U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) Koreshan is located at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Corkscrew Road at Estero.


Park Fees

Admission Fees
$4.00 for up to 8 people per car. $3.00 single occupant.

Camping Fee
All Year: $22.00 per night plus tax
Guided Tours
Koreshan Settlement ranger guided tours are available:
Adult $2.00 - Children $1.00
Self guided tour booklets or audio tapes are included with admission to the park. Inquire at the ranger station.
Boat Ramp $3.18 plus entrance fee
Dump station $6.00 plus entrance fee
Canoe Rental $5.30 per hour, or $26.50 for all day

Activities at Koreshan State Historic Site

Boat Ramp Icon

Boat Ramp

A boat ramp is available

Campfire Circles Icon

Campfire Circle

Koreshan State Historic Site has a campfire circle located near the campground by the Estero River. Every Friday night from January to March park ranger's give a slide program about natural history, the environment and other subjects related to the park service. The area is also used for scout groups to have meetings and events. Also during the winter every Saturday morning, camper's coffee is offered to campers. Donations are accepted.

Canoeing/Kayaking Icon

Canoeing & Kayaking

Canoeing is a popular activity here in the park. The river is a brackish tidal waterway which leads to the Estero Bay approximately 3 miles west.

Facilities Icon

Facilities

Restroom facilities are located in the Settlement and in the Camp Ground. Facilities are ADA accessible.

Official Universal Symbol of Accessibility Koreshan has ADA access to 5 of the buildings in the historic site. The Art Hall and Founders Home have ramps, Planetary Court has an elevator to the first floor. The Large Machine Shop has concrete right up to the railing, (there is no wall, the viewing end of the building is wide open), and the Generator building has concrete up to the double doors with a wide viewing section for groups or wheelchairs. The shell paths in the settlement are hard pack shell and considered ADA accessible.

Fishing Icon

Fishing

There are several spots along the river for fishing. The Estero River is brackish with snook, mullet, redfish and other popular game fish. Freshwater bass can be found as you paddle inland away from the Gulf. The Estero Bay is located about 3 miles by canoe down the river. It offers abundant saltwater fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. The bay is home to bottlenose dolphins, manatees and several game fish.
Do you need a Fishing License?

Full Facility Camping Icon

Full Facility Camping

The park has 60 wooded campsites. Twelve sites are designated tent camping only and located next to the Estero River. All sites have electric, water, grill/fire ring and table. Pets are permitted in the campground overnight with current vaccination papers and a wastewater dump station is available for RV campers. A centrally located bathhouse has a utility area with a washer, dryer and sinks. The community campfire circle is for group use, seasonal interpretive programs and camper get-togethers. A volleyball court is next to the campground. The large picnic area has a nature trail, small playground, restroom, many grills and tables. The Estero River borders the park and flows into the Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. There is a boat ramp and canoes are available to rent. The Koreshan Historic Settlement is open daily with guided tours on weekends. For more information on camping in our park simply click on the Reserve America link. Clicking on the park map or selecting one of the camping area links just below the park map will allow you to see a map of the individual campsite locations. Select any campsite icon to see a detailed description of the individual campsite and what it has to offer.

Visit Reserve America's website to Reserve your Cabin or Campsite

Guided Tours Icon

Guided Tours

Koreshan Settlement guided or self-guided walks are available. Adult - $2.00
Children - $1.00

Official Universal Symbol of Accessibility Koreshan has ADA access to 5 of the buildings in the historic site. The Art Hall and Founders Home have ramps, Planetary Court has an elevator to the first floor. The Large Machine Shop has concrete right up to the railing, (there is no wall, the viewing end of the building is wide open), and the Generator building has concrete up to the double doors with a wide viewing section for groups or wheelchairs. The shell paths in the settlement are hard pack shell and considered ADA accessible.

Interpretive Exhibit Icon

Interpretive Exhibit

Interpretive exhibits are available

Hiking/Nature Trails Icon

Nature Trails

The park features a Hiking Trail along the river and a Running Trail along the park boundary that takes you through a pine flatwoods habitat. For more information on Nature Trails at parks in this area go to Mound Key Archaeological State Park and Estero Bay Preserve State Park and click on the Activities link.

Official Universal Symbol of Accessibility The shell paths in the settlement are hard pack shell and considered ADA accessible.

Pet Camping Icon

Pet Camping

Pet camping is available at Koreshan State Historic Site. Pets must be confined, leashed (not to exceed six feet in length) or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Tethered pets must not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Quiet hours must be observed from 10:00 p.m.  08:00 a.m. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all droppings in trash receptacles. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating, or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park. Non-furbearing pets, such as, reptiles, birds, or fish must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property. Failure to abide by these rules may result in the camper being asked to board the pet outside the park or to leave the campground.

Visit Reserve America's website to Reserve your Cabin or Campsite

Pets Icon

Pets

Pets are allowed in this park's campground and visitor recreation areas. They must be well-behaved and kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash at all times. Pets must not be left unattended, nor taken into restroom facilities or onto playground equipment. Service animals are welcome in all areas and buildings of the park, as required by law.

Picnic Areas Icon

Picnicking

The picnic area is located on the Estero River and is well shaded by Pine trees. Also found there are grills, restrooms and a playground.

Playground Icon

Playground

For added enjoyment, the park has a children's playground located in the picnic area.

RV Camping Icon

RV's

RV camping is available in the park and there is a wastewater dump station available for RV campers.

Visit Reserve America's website to Reserve your Cabin or Campsite

Wildlife Viewing Icon

Wildlife Viewing

Bobcats, Grey Foxes, River Otters and Alligators are all found along the Estero River. During the Winter Manatees are found in our waters. Koreshan is great for bird watching as it is home to over a 100 bird species. Among them are Swallow-Tail Kites, Bald Eagles , Bobwhites, Belted Kingfishers and others.
For more information on Wild Life Viewing at parks in this area go to Mound Key Archaeological State Park and click on the Activities link.

Special Events for Koreshan State Historic Site


Koreshan State Historic Site Ranger Programs


Frequently Asked Questions about Koreshan State Historic Site


Koreshan State Historic Site History

The remains of an unusual pioneer settlement are preserved on the banks of the Estero River. In 1894, a religious visionary named Cyrus Reed Teed brought his followers from Chicago to Estero to construct a "New Jerusalem." Teed hoped it would become a city of 10 million people practicing the religion of Koreshanity.

Click on the link for more detailed information on the history of the Koreshans: Dr. Cyrus Teed and the New Jerusalem

Koreshan State Historic Site Volunteer Information


Visit the Main Volunteer page for information on volunteering in Florida State Parks

Visit the Main Volunteer page at http://www.floridastateparks.org/volunteers/default.cfm for more detailed Information


Koreshan State Historic Site

P.O. Box 7
Estero, Florida 33928
Phone: 239-992-0311
Fax: 239-992-1607


Citizen Support Organization

Koreshan Unity Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 2061 
Ft. Myers, 33902

« Return to the Parks Main Page  ::  Contact Us

What do you think of our website? E-mail us .
Florida State Parks Information Center (850) 245-2157
Florida Division of Recreation and Parks · 3900 Commonwealth Blvd · Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Copyright © 2008 Department of Environmental Protection /
Division of Recreation and Parks

» Web Site Awards «

Privacy Statement
Official Florida Department of Environmental Protection Logo FLAUSA Logo MyFlorida Logo FRPA Logo