Looking for something to do in Estero? Visit Mound Key. Located in the middle of Estero Bay is Mound Key an archaeological site managed by Koreshan State Historic Site – State Park.
Calusa Indians dominated southern Florida for centuries and resisted the Spanish explorers. Mound Key Archaeological Site is believed to be the ceremonial center of Calusa society.
The Indian shell mounds at the site rise more than 30 feet high and are estimated to date back nearly 2000 years. The site is only accessible by boat from the southern end of Estero Island, just north of Bonita Springs. Review the list of boat ramps in the Bonita Springs and Estero areas. The closest boat ramp and causeway area is at Carl Johnson State Park at Lover’s Key. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent.
Seasonally the entire Estero Bay and back water area is a no wake zone. Be sure to check the speed zones and adhere to the seasonal guidelines or risk getting a ticket for a manatee zone violation.
Be sure to take sunscreen and plenty of mosquito repellant. Open flames are not permitted due to drought conditions, and uh, the ability of the fire department to not drive there and put the fire out.
Mound key is a great day trip for boaters if they’re spending the afternoon at Lover’s Key Beach. It’s about a 10 minute boat ride away from the drawbridge at Fort Myers Beach by Lover’s Key State park.
Two items to be mindful of while visiting Mound Key.
- You may smell a skunk smell but it’s only a plant that produces the odor and probably not the live animal.
- Keep an eye out for the spiny orb weaver spider. They’re very unusual, brightly colored and have a shell sort of like a crab.
Related information: Check out this awesome Blueway map for boaters, kayakers and canoers.
Tags: Beach, Boating, Estero, Park, Things To Do
i am the great great grandson of john frank “hub” johnson des some reason there is a mix up over mound key and lovers key and who settled there in the 1800′s i have copie of the land the land title for mound key and everyone know about the johnson woman who spent the last days of the pirate black agustit life taking care of the dying man but it also say the koreshan but the johnson was in southwest florida years before them
Thank you. I did not know that.
yes there does seem to be a big mix up about mound key as Im the great great granddaughter of frank Johnson it would be great to compare stories with you and yes great great great grandma and grandpa did settle there first
Ed Johnson says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
November 2, 2010 at 4:35 pm
To: The Frank M. Johnson family members. I have been doing family history research on Frank M. Johnson as part of my Johnson family history. I have information on his father John C. Johnson and his mother Amanda Johnson and his two brothers Jesse D. Johnson and John Warren Johnson. Frank M. Johnson has five half brothers and two half sisters who were born to John C. and Mary Frances Walker Johnson (his 2nd wife) on their homestead in the Owens Community, 8-9 miles SW of Arcadia, Fl. Frank M., Jesse and Warren were noted on the Johnson homestead by the 1870 US Census. I have extensive information that I would like to share with his family members in return for any information they may have. Frank M. Johnson would have been my great (1/2?) uncle. I have the original Federal Survey and homestead information on Mound Key. I have met and talked with a number of his descendants. I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Ed,
I’ve also emailed everyone that has posted on this post and not heard anything back from the others. If I do, I’ll let you know.
Chris: I’ll do likewise. I have a picture, maybe two of Frank M. Johnson. He is buried in the Indian Springs Cemetery east of Punta Gorda Florida. I have been to his grave site; he may have a daughter buried close to him or vice versa. I’m listed in the Arcadia telephone book. Thanks, Ed Johnson