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    Koreshan State Park

    473 Reviews
    #1 of 20 things to do in Estero
    Historic Sites, Sights & Landmarks, Nature & Parks
    3800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 33928-1919
    +1 239-992-0311
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    “Relaxing”

    A relaxing place to walk through a nature trail as well as canoe. To rent a canoe is only $5.00... read more

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    jennifermbouwkamp
    ,
    Fort Myers, Florida
    “Great history and unusual story.”

    Wonderful events. Spent the day at the farmer's market. So unique. Had a Croatian lunch then later... read more

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    CharlotteDayTripper
    ,
    Charlotte, North Carolina
    Read all 473 reviews
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    Park open daily, 365 days a year from 8:00 AM until sunset. The historic Koreshan Settlement is open daily from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Camping, hiking, picnic area, playground, kayak and canoe rentals, boat launch on the Estero River, guided historic tours, Sunday Farmers Market, Yoga in the Park Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dr. Cyrus R. Teed's utopian community of 200 followers relocated from New York to Florida in 1894. Dr. Teed took the name 'Koresh,' the Hebrew translation for Cyrus, meaning shepherd. The colonists believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. They conducted experiments that seemed to confirm their beliefs. The Koreshans built and operated a printing facility, boat works, cement works, sawmill, bakery, store and hostelry. Education, science and art also helped shape their community. After the death of Dr. Teed in 1908 at the age of 69, membership of his religious group began to decline. In 1961, the four remaining members deeded 305 acres of their land to the state of Florida as a park and memorial. The Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.

    About Koreshan State Park

    Park open daily, 365 days a year from 8:00 AM until sunset. The historic Koreshan Settlement is open daily from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Camping, hiking, picnic area, playground, kayak and canoe rentals, boat launch on the Estero River, guided historic tours, Sunday Farmers Market, Yoga in the Park Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dr. Cyrus R. Teed's utopian community of 200 followers relocated from New York to Florida in 1894. Dr. Teed took the name 'Koresh,' the Hebrew translation for Cyrus, meaning shepherd. The colonists believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. They conducted experiments that seemed to confirm their beliefs. The Koreshans built and operated a printing facility, boat works, cement works, sawmill, bakery, store and hostelry. Education, science and art also helped shape their community. After the death of Dr. Teed in 1908 at the age of 69, membership of his religious group began to decline. In 1961, the four remaining members deeded 305 acres of their land to the state of Florida as a park and memorial. The Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.
    4.5
    473 reviews
    • Excellent57%
    • Very good35%
    • Average7%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible0%
    Travellers talk about
    “estero river” (66 reviews)
    “farmers market” (30 reviews)
    “florida history” (16 reviews)
    Suggested Duration: More than 3 hours
    LOCATION
    3800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 33928-1919
    CONTACT
    Website
    +1 239-992-0311
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    Write a ReviewReviews (473)
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    "estero river"
    in 66 reviews
    "farmers market"
    in 30 reviews
    "florida history"
    in 16 reviews
    "canoe rentals"
    in 12 reviews
    "historical area"
    in 5 reviews
    "machine shop"
    in 5 reviews
    "ghost walk"
    in 6 reviews
    "interesting history"
    in 15 reviews
    "bamboo forest"
    in 5 reviews
    "piece of history"
    in 9 reviews
    "nature trail"
    in 16 reviews
    "boat ramp"
    in 10 reviews
    "fascinating place"
    in 5 reviews
    "guided tour"
    in 21 reviews
    "ranger station"
    in 7 reviews
    "religious community"
    in 6 reviews
    "walking trails"
    in 9 reviews
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    1 - 10 of 457 reviews

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Relaxing

    A relaxing place to walk through a nature trail as well as canoe. To rent a canoe is only $5.00 compared to other places around the area. In the state park there is also a history side to it that is very interesting to learn...More

    Ask jennifermbouwkamp about Koreshan State Park
    Thank jennifermbouwkamp
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Great history and unusual story.

    Wonderful events. Spent the day at the farmer's market. So unique. Had a Croatian lunch then later snacked at the Koreshan bakery, bread pudding which was wonderful, and fresh bread. Beautiful lush native plants. Well kept buildings and nicely curated. Great story and history here...More

    Ask CharlotteDayTripper about Koreshan State Park
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    A great surprise! Utopian community site in Florida

    We really had no idea when we heard this was a state park and historic site that it was the site of a unique utopian religious community with roots in the Burned Over district of upstate NY (where were are from and where we have...More

    Ask buffal0gal about Koreshan State Park
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    A Trip Back in Time!

    A very interesting old community from the 19th Century that was(is) the halfway point on the Tamiami Trail Rt 41 between Tampa & Miami. This is where people in horse drawn wagons & horseback stopped for services, provisions & supplies along the 275 mile wagon...More

    Ask JimBoothbayCC about Koreshan State Park
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
    Great for Photoshoots

    I always recommend Koreshan for photoshoots. The park is great for your first time. Also great place for trail rides and kayaking.

    Ask Nikki H about Koreshan State Park
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Peaceful Park

    Attended a birthday party here. Very peaceful park, clean well kept. Park Rangers available for assistance. New Paviliions with BBQ grills and picnic tables. Playground for kids.

    Ask JBOFlorida about Koreshan State Park
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Estero’s early settlers

    This is a very interesting place with great history.The people that originally found this development had a great work and religious beliefs. They were very educated and into the arts also.I just don’t know how they hoped to survive as a community since to live...More

    Ask Catherine H about Koreshan State Park
    Thank Catherine H
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile
    Local History, Entertainment, Fresh Air

    $5 entrance fee/car, plenty of parking and Friendly Volunteers and Rangers abound here. At 1 pm there is free indoor musical entertainment and we all enjoyed it very much. The walk between the Historic buildings is mostly crushed shells so it is uneven and dusty....More

    Ask Cre8tiv16 about Koreshan State Park
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 14 March 2018 via mobile
    Lovely park and stay

    Stayed two nights at Koreshan state park. The park is wonderful lots of history and really interesting. The camp sites are lovely and spacious. The restrooms and very clean. We hired a canoe for a couple of hours very relaxing and peaceful.

    Ask Karen W about Koreshan State Park
    1  Thank Karen W
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 14 March 2018 via mobile
    If you like history

    We visited before Christmas, my last visit all the buildings were closed, so I was very excited to tour the buildings. We spent several hours taking it all in. The volunteers were a wealth of knowledge. The video is well worth the watch. Make sure...More

    Ask Kathy T about Koreshan State Park
    1  Thank Kathy T
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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    Ask a question
    Questions & Answers
    See all 8 questions
    Becki P
    3 January 2018|
    AnswerShow all 6 answers
    Response from Elaine P | Reviewed this property |
    Sorry don't know , if you phone them they are very helpful . It is a lovely site .
    0
    Votes
    Lisa D
    29 January 2017|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from crypticat | Reviewed this property |
    The ghost walk is a play that you experience while walking through the park. A guide narrates as you walk candlelit paths and watch actors perform at various stops along the way. The play is derived from actual Koreshan... More
    0
    Votes
    Kri3383
    10 July 2016|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from Eric F | Reviewed this property |
    It is Florida
    3
    Votes
    123