Camp Koreshan State Park , Florida Camping, Florida State Park, camping in Florida
Hello! Thought I may have to say that first since I haven’t been here in a few months. Life has been crazy busy. I guess the perfect way to slow us all down is going camping! I will be posting other updates soon as well. For now, let talk camping trip.
I gotta confess - I did forget me camera and only had the iPhone. I just love my camera and really missed the thing.
Yes, in Florida winter time is the peek camping season. We earned that the hard way when we went to book a place for the holiday weekend and everything was booked. There was a spot left - one spot that some one cancelled last minute and we grabbed it. glad we did.
I’ve never heard of Koreshan State Part and why it’s a historical landmark, so I was excited to learn more. I want to add, I really love a State Park. Always a bit of history and something the state is preserving and was important to someone enough to gift it to the state. So we support staying at a state park. Besides, a lot of them have actual bathrooms and showers, that’s kinda my type of camping. ya know- borderline glamping. Although, I do enjoy going off the grid camping as well…who wipes…j/k
Ok, let me just tell you about this place for a sec.
(from the website)Lots of people headed south to expend a venture in the late 1800’s. Cyrus Reed Teed was probably the most unusual, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build the "New Jerusalem" for his new faith, Koreshanity.
Dr. Cyrus R. Teed's utopian community of 200 followers relocated from Chicago to Florida in 1894. He 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. They had the first school on the grounds that was open to the community of Ft. Myers.
After the death of Dr. Teed in 1908 at the age of 69, membership of his religious group began to decline. This guy actually taught his followers that they must stay celibate to be reincarnated. He himself thought he is to be reincarnate into the messiah. and then he never resurrected. Most of the followers were rich women that left their husbands and took their possessions and kids and settled here.
In 1961, the last four members deeded 305 acres of their land to the state. What remains of their once vibrant community are 11 beautifully maintained historic structures that date from 1882 - 1920 and landscaped grounds including unique ornamental exotic vegetation from throughout the world.
Oh, and Thomas Edison planted the beautiful bamboo forest when he was there. I think the bamboo trail was my favorite. so beautiful. I did like the canoe outing as well… ok, lets get into what to do here.
Besides camping…( we love camping!)
Kayak and canoe and kayak rental, That was fun for us. The canoe seated all of us five. I think the rate was $7 an hour. So, super affordable even for a day trip.
Bike trails. All the walking trails are doable with the bake and even a bike trailer with the kids.
Hiking. like I said, I loved the trial with the bamboo forest.
Historic homes and grounds. This was so cool. Two if the building are open till 5pm daily for info. Other building are open for tours. That was cool as well. loved touring and learning the history of the place.
Farmer’s Market. On Sundays there is a Farmer’s Market right on site of the historic building area. We loved getting breakfast there that morning and chatting it up with the local vendors. You learn a lot. Like, the guy with the paintings setup, was paining with the “happy trees “ guy, Bob Ross.
Playground. gotta have a playground for the kiddos.
Fishing. boys tried that, didn’t catch anything.
Spending amazing quality time together.
We loved it. I don’t think I would stay there more then two-three nights.
