Rainbow Springs State Park in Florida is a beautiful park that features clear teal-blue water that is over ten thousand years old. Rainbow Springs is the 4th largest spring in Florida. If you’re looking for a Florida oasis, this is it. Rainbow Springs State Park’s refreshing cool waters of the headsprings are a perfect place to go for a swim or snorkel. You can also tube or kayak down the gentle spring run that is known as Rainbow Springs River. Besides the water activities, there are also shady gardens laced with azaleas, magnolias, and oaks. There are about 2.5 miles of paved trails where you can leisurely walk through these beautiful gardens and waterfalls.
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Stats
Where
Rainbow Springs State Park Head Springs Entrance:
19158 SW 81st PI Rd, Dunnellon, FL 334432
Tubing Entrance:
10830 SW 180th Ave Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432
Parking
Paved parking area
Hours
Headsprings hours:
8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year (unless closed at capacity)
Fee
$2 per person. Children under 6 admitted free.
Pet-friendly
Dogs are allowed at Rainbow Springs State Park. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and they are not allowed to enter the water, including headsprings, swim areas, rivers, and ponds.
Ideal Time
Rainbow Springs State Park has very high visitation on weekends and holidays so go on the weekdays if you can.
Weather
Video
Important Things to Know
Where Is Rainbow Springs State Park?
Rainbow Springs State Park is located in Dunnellon, Florida. It is about 1.5 hours from Orlando. You can GPS your way there by either searching for Rainbow Springs State Park or this address: 19158 SW 81st PI Rd, Dunnellon, FL 334432. This is the address for the main park (headsprings). Keep in mind, the headsprings and the main state park are about 9 miles from where the tube rental is. The tube rental place is also where you’ll start your tubing adventure.
When is the Best Time to Visit Rainbow Springs State Park?
It is Florida, so anytime is the best time to visit this beautiful park. The main state park opens from 8 am to sunset year-round. Although, during weekends and holidays, Rainbow Springs State Park can be very busy. Once the park reaches capacity, it will be closed to all visitors. If you’re interested in tubing, it is only available from April to the end of September with various hours. Make sure to check the park’s website for updated hours. If you want to avoid crowds, come early.
Know Before You Go
- As we mentioned above, the main park’s entrance (where the headspring is), tubing entrance, and campground entrance are separate. They are about a few miles apart so don’t go to the wrong place.
- Make sure to park in designated areas only or you might be towed.
- It is illegal to bring disposal items on the water. Disposal items are any item that is thrown away after a single use. (Ex. Ziploc bags, plastic water bottles, food wrappers/bags, glass, cardboard, etc.)
- Fishing is not allowed in the upper mile of the river.
- Snorkelers must use a dive flag.
- The kayaking and swimming area is far from the parking area.
- You can only swim in the swimming area. If you want to swim in the river, you have to paddle at least a mile down from the headsprings before doing so.
- The swimming area is quite deep, with an average depth ranging from 10 to 18ft, so it is not the best place for non-swimmers. It is best if you bring a pool noodle or a life jacket so you don’t get tired from swimming the whole time. For safety purposes, only pool noodles or life jackets are allowed in the swimming area. You cannot bring any other type of float. If you don’t have one, they do sell pool noodles in the gift shop.
- Bring snorkeling gear. There are a lot of cool fish and things to see here.
- Bring sandals or watershoes. DON’T GO BAREFOOT. The gravel on the ground is not that pleasant to walk on.
- If you want to see the waterfalls, you’ll have to walk a way.
Things to Do When Visiting Rainbow Springs State Park
Tubing on Rainbow River
Rainbow Springs State Park is known for its lazy river where you can go for a fun tube ride. The tube ride down the Rainbow River is about 2 miles long and takes about 2 hours. It was super fun. Don’t forget, the entrance for tubing is different from the entrance to the main park where the headsprings, swim area, and waterfalls are. They are about 9 miles apart. Tubing also closes from Oct through the end of March. It is $22 plus $2 park admission to tube here. The price includes a tube rental and a tram ride for one trip down the river. You can bring your own tubes, however, the price is the same regardless. If you still want to bring your own tube, it has to be a single tube no bigger than 60” in diameter.
Canoeing & Kayaking
If you prefer to kayak or canoe instead of tubing, you can rent these paddle crafts for the day. The rental place for this is at the main park, near the swim area. It is $17/hour for a kayak and $23/hr for a canoe. Prices might change so don’t forget to check with the park if you have questions. If you prefer to bring your own canoes or kayaks, you are allowed to launch at the kayak rental place from the headsprings. Keep in mind though that you have to transport your vessel for 1,800ft from the parking area to the launch area.
Swimming
The refreshing water at the headspring is a constant temperature average of 72 degrees year-round. It is a perfect place to take a dip on a hot day. That being said, if you don’t know how to swim or beginner, it might be best to either stay out of this area or get a pool noodle or life jacket. The average depth in this natural swimming area is about 10 to 18ft. As we mentioned above, besides pool noodles or life jackets, other inflatables are NOT allowed.
Snorkeling
The crystal clear water at Rainbow Springs State Park makes it a perfect place for snorkelers. Because of the forests of aquatic grass, this area is thriving with tons of turtles and fish. At the headsprings, you are only allowed to snorkel in the buoyed swimming area. However, you can snorkel from the campground or from boats once you are outside of the headsprings. If you snorkel anywhere outside of the swimming area, you are required to use dive flags.
Walk the Nature Trails
Besides all the water activities, Rainbow Springs State Park also has beautiful, shady gardens with flowers and tall trees, and many grassy areas. There are also beautiful man-made waterfalls that you can walk to using a nature trail. This 2.5 miles nature trail winds behind the gardens through the natural oak hammocks and offers wonderful view.
If you love Florida’s springs, check out Blue Spring State Park where you can go swimming and tubing, or Kelly Park Rock Springs for the best natural lazy river in Florida.
These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
adventure gear
- Lots of sunscreens, we use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen, Stream2Sea SPF 30. and tinted, organic All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter.
- Swimsuits and towels
- Pool noodles
- Watershoes
- Sunglasses
- Food, snacks, and drinks but no alcohol. For healthy and easy snacks, check out some of our recipes.
camera gear
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