I’ve paddled dozens of river all over Florida and somehow I had missed this surprisingly beautiful gem two hours from my house, the Estero River upstream from Koreshan State Park north of Naples.
Several years ago, my husband and I had paddled downstream from Koreshan to Mound Key State Park (a terrific destination) but that long paddling route is not particularly scenic – there is suburban development along most of it and many power boats.
It was a revelation, then, to paddle upstream from Koreshan State Park and be surrounded by the kind of Florida scenery I love — at first, mangroves hugging the banks of the narrow-ish river, then huge arching live oak trees shading our way, turtles sunning on the rocks and great blue herons fishing in the shallows. And the highlight: We saw otters slinking in the mangroves along the shore.
While we have been told alligators are occasionally seen, by mid-day, any self-respecting alligator has withdrawn from view on the popular river. Manatees are also seen occasionally.
Along this stretch of the Estero, there are a few houses and a little development, but the overwhelming experience is one of being surrounded by nature.
Outfitter makes the Estero River accessible to visitors
One of the best things about this kayak route is the availability of an outfitter for those who don’t bring their own kayaks.
As a result of the outfitter, even on a weekday, the river has steady kayak traffic. It was another kayaker who alerted us that they had seen otters. With that information, we were watchful and got lucky.
This stretch of the Estero is more fun than a straight canal – the river twists, there are shallow parts where you see into the water and can spot schools of fish.
You’ll know when it’s time to turn around. The river gets quite shallow and a tree has fallen across it.
It’s an easy paddle, good for beginners too
The river is tidal but there is also a slight current downstream, so when we paddled upstream, it was easy going both up and back.
The pretty part of the Estero River kayak trip only takes about two hours round trip. You can augment that by heading downstream from the state park, but within two minutes, there is a large new and treeless development of manufactured housing that marks a major change in the landscape.
Instead of extending our kayak trip, we returned to the park and walked the trails, where we were rewarded with a gopher tortoise beside the trail.
Koreshan is well worth a visit in its own right. It celebrates one of our earliest settlers who was a wacky eccentric who moved his cult here in 1894. Thanks to him, though, a lovely wooded site on the Estero River was preserved through the years for us to enjoy. There are guided tours, self-guided tours and 11 historic buildings.
Koreshan also has an excellent campground, and sites are generally available a few weeks out.
Tips for paddling the Estero River
If you have your own kayak or paddleboard, watch signs in Koreshan State Park for the kayak launch and picnic area, which are adjacent. Admission to Koreshan is $5 per vehicle. Estero River Outfitters also lets you launch for free from their location.
If you don’t have a kayak, head for Estero River Outfitters, located right at the bridge where US 41/Tamiami Trail crosses the Estero River. The shop is open seven days a week, even allowing you to launch as early as 7 a.m. Details: 20991 Tamiami Trail, Estero, esteroriver@gmail.com, (239) 992-4050.
Koreshan State Park
3800 Corkscrew Road
Estero, FL 33928
(239) 992-0311
Things to do near the Estero River
- Lovers Key: Great beach, kayaking, manatees
- Mound Key Archaeological Park
- Barefoot Beach is on Southwest Florida’s wild side
- Clam Pass Park, a Naples beach where you ride the tide
- Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park for beaches and picnics
- Estero Bay Preserve State Park, just west of Koreshan, has longer hiking trails.
- Corkscrew Bird Rookery Swamp Trail: Excellent for shady hiking with abundent wildlife.
- Kayaking Imperial River in Bonita Springs
- Shangri-la Springs, the site of the original spring in Bonita Springs, has beautiful grounds you are welcome to stroll, an organic restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch and a 1921 hotel with eight updated hotels rooms.
- Everglades Wonder Garden has survived since 1936. Now it’s a small but serene spot to enjoy glorious flora, colorful birds, gators and more. It’s located on Old 41 Road right on the Imperial River.
I have been following your kayaking, hiking and biking trails for years and never said thank you. So:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
I have shared your website with many folks hopefully to help us preserve these beautiful locations.
It’s also impaired for fecal indicator bacteria, as are most of the tributaries flowing into Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. Make sure kayakers clean themselves carefully, and avoid if they have open wounds and cuts.
Thank you for the helpful information! I did not know this; how very sad.