Manager's Message

Fall is here and the park is coming alive with butterflies, birds and numerous plants in bloom. Now is an excellent time to visit Rainbow Springs State Park. Our campground has been well received since the complete renovation. With 60 campsites there is ample opportunity to come and relax in the park. As the weather cools it will be an ideal time for camping. Our campground is located on 180th Avenue Road and is available for reservations. Be sure to contact ReserveAmerica at www.reserveamerica.com or by calling 1-800-326-3521 to make your reservations. The campground consists of 60 total sites. 3 of the sites are for RVs only; these are the pull through sites. 7 of the sites are for tents only, with a common parking area and a short walk to the sites and 50 of the sites are for RV or tent. 8 of these sites are paved and enhanced for visitors with any mobility challenges. There are three new restroom facilities, a new pavilion by the playground, a remodeled holding tank dump station, a newly paved entrance road and a remodeled camp store. All of the sites have 20/30/50 amp electrical service and the RV sites all have sewer connections at the site. The campground roads are paved and we think you will find the renovated campground to be an excellent camping experience. The swimming pool in the campground is now open too!
The tube entrance is closed until the first full weekend in April 2010.
Our Headsprings, locate at 19158 SW 81st Place Road (US 41) is open as always. Come out to the park and enjoy a picnic, walk the trails, view the birds, study nature, swim in the springs or rent a canoe or kayak. Our Historic Gardens are always an enjoyable walk and be sure to visit our Butterfly Garden too.
Rainbow Springs always has much to offer. Be sure to check back at this site often to see which of our special events are taking place so you can plan to attend the events and learn more about The Real Florida! We look forward to seeing you in the park soon.

Visitors: The Campground, Tuber Area and Headspring each have a separate entrance. Click on the Park Map for directions to each entrance. Thank you.
- Joseph E. Smyth, Park Manager

Welcome to Rainbow Springs State Park

Archaeological evidence indicates that people have been using this spring for nearly 10,000 years. Rainbow Springs is Florida's fourth largest spring and, from the 1930s through the 1970s, was the site of a popular, privately-owned attraction. The Rainbow River is popular for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the headsprings. A picnic area at the spring includes tables, grills, and pavilions. For large gatherings, private pavilions can be reserved. Tubing is not allowed in the headsprings area of the park. Tubers can launch at the Tube Entrance on SW 180th Avenue Road. The Campground Entrance with a full-facility campground is about nine miles from the day use area. The Headsprings Entrance is located three miles north of Dunnellon on the east side of U.S. 41. The campground is located on S.W. 180th Avenue Road about two miles north of County Road 484 and two miles south of State Road 40. The Tube Entrance is located 1.4 miles south of the campground Entrance on SW 180th Avenue Road.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Rainbow Springs State Park, please call 352-465-8555 Campground: 352-465-8550.

Book Your Vacation Spot Now!

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

At Rainbow Springs State Park the Tuber Entrance is open seasonally (April to September) and closes at 5:00 PM. All tubers must be in the park by 2:15PM to ensure they can complete their float and leave the park by closing.

Driving Directions

From I-75, exit at the second Ocala exit onto State Road 40. Take State Road 40, west. Drive until it dead-ends at U.S. 41. Turn left, the park entrance is on the left-hand side of the road. From Tampa, take U.S. 41, north. Drive through the town of Dunnellon. The Headsprings Entrance is located on the right-hand side of the road, approximately 2.5 miles north of Dunnellon. From areas in the northwest, take U.S. 41 to the town of Williston. After passing through Williston, you will come to a traffic light where State Road 40 has come to a dead-end. Go through this light; the Headsprings Entrance is on the left-hand side of the road. The Campground Entrance is separate from the headsprings day use area and is located 2.5 miles north of C.R. 484 off of S.W. 180th Avenue Road or 2.5 miles south of Highway 40 off of S.W. 180th Avenue Road.

The Tube Entrance is located 1.4 miles south of the Campground Entrance on SW 180th Avenue Road.

Park Fees

Admission Fee:

$2.00 per person at the headsprings entrance and $5.00 per vehicle, up to eight people at the tube entrance. Children under six years old are free.

Tubing Fee (Separate from the park entrance fee at the tube entrance): $10.00 plus tax per person (includes tube and tram service to and from parking area).

Tram Fee (Separate from the park entrance fee at the tube entrance): $8.00 per person (with your own tube, less than 60” in diameter).

Camping Fee:

$30.00 per night, plus tax. Includes water, sewer and electricity.

Picnic Pavilion Rental Fees:

There are two covered pavilions available for reservation. Beyond the normal reservation fee (see below) each pavilion has a $30 cleanup deposit due on the day of reservation. The deposit will be returned after inspection upon departure.

$75.00 plus tax: Felburn Pavilion seats up to 75 people on plastic chairs and tables. The regular $2.00 admission/person still applies.

$75.00 plus tax: Hickory Pavilion has 14 picnic tables. The regular $2.00 admission/person still applies.

Rainbow Springs State Park

19158 S.W. 81st Pl. Rd.
Dunnellon, Florida 34432
Phone: 352-465-8555 Campground: 352-465-8550
Fax: Contact Park for Number

Citizen Support Organization

Friends of Rainbow Springs State Park, Inc.
19158 South West 81st Place Road
Dunnellon, FL 34432

Visitor Service Provider

Dragonfly Watersports
19158 S.W. 81st Place Road
Dunnellon, FL 34432
Canoe Dock at the Headsprings: 352-465-2100
Riverside at the Campground: 352-465-8992
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - 7 days a week
Dragonfly Watersport

Visitor Service Provider

Food Concession and Gift Shop 19158 SW 81st Place Dunnellon, FL 34432 (352) 465-8523