Rainbow Springs State Park
Rainbow Springs is Florida’s fourth largest spring and is designated a National Natural Landmark. The surrounding land is high and rolling, providing picturesque vistas of the spring surrounded by forest. The spring pool is large (250 feet wide) and shallow, with especially clear blue water flowing over the beds of green aquatic plants and brilliant white limestone and sand.
The park was a privately owned attraction from the 1930s through the 1970s and still is surrounded by extensive ornamental gardens, walkways, and even an artificial waterfall. Seven vents contribute to the first-magnitude group near the spring bowl and are augmented by 5 more springs and hundreds of sand boils to create the Rainbow River. The river runs about 5.6 miles before joining the Withlacoochee River and is popular for tubing, snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the head springs, but tubing, scuba diving, and motorboats are not allowed in the Head Springs area of the park. Rentals and access for these activities can be found downstream a short distance. Rainbow Springs and its swimming/day use area are located 3 miles north of Dunnellon on the east side of U.S. Highway 41.
At a Glance:
Activities: Swimming, snorkeling, tubing (further downriver), kayaking/canoeing, hiking, wildlife viewing, formal gardens, camping, picnic area, snack bar
Entrance Fee: Yes
Scuba Diving: No
Onsite Camping: Yes
Dogs Allowed: Yes–see state park website for rules
Type of Park: Florida state park
Address and Contact Information:
Rainbow Springs State Park
19158 Southwest 81st Place Road
Dunnellon, FL 34432
Phone: (352) 465–8555
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