Experiences & Amenities

Rainbow Springs is an outstanding birding area and is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Various species that are commonly seen include woodpeckers, wading birds, hawks, songbirds and owls.

Rainbow Springs State Park’s campground is located along the Rainbow River at a separate facility a few miles from the main headspring and day use area, 18185 S.W. 94th St., Dunnellon, Florida.

• All sites have water and electric (20, 30 and 50 amp) and are equipped with sewer hook-ups. Maximum RV length = 103 feet. ADA accessible restrooms are available. A dump station is located near the RV staging area. Pets are welcome in the campground but are not permitted in swimming areas or buildings.
• The campground gates are closed at all times. Please phone the campground during office hours at 352-465-8550 to obtain the gate code. Because gate codes change frequently, the code will be provided on your day of arrival only. 
• The campground office is open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. 
• Amenities include a campground store, showers and restrooms, and laundry. Access the river from the campground to fish, swim or paddle. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent from the campground store.
• For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.

The campground swim area/ launch is a substantial walk from campsites, Rainbow Springs understands that some guests may require additional assistance. Here's how we can help:

• Guest Services can open the tram gate for a convenient drop-off location (no parking) closer to the swimming area.
• This allows you to drop off guests and essential items within a 15-minute window.
• Please note: This drop-off service is intended for those who require reasonable accommodations only.
• The tram loop drive cannot be blocked at any time, so drop off and pick up needs to be quick.
• Check in for camping is 3 p.m. or later on your day of arrival. 

Fishing is prohibited at the headsprings day-use area because it is an aquatic preserve. Fishing is available at the campground for registered campers only.

Rainbow Springs State Park offers leisurely strolls through shady gardens laced with azaleas, oaks and magnolias. The walkways pass by three human-made waterfalls. Benches along the paths offer the visitor an opportunity to rest while enjoying the sounds of birds and flowing water. The walkways are a mix of brick, concrete and asphalt surfaces.

• While historically unique and offering great views of the river and landscape, the pathways were constructed prior to ADA guidelines and are steep and uneven in places.
• A nature trail winds through natural oak hammock and sandhill communities. This trail offers both river and phosphate pit overlooks and is approximately 2.5 miles long from the visitor center.
• Approximately 7 miles total of unpaved nature trails to enjoy walking or running.

Waterfall viewing 

• Trails are historical in nature and even though paved they are uneven in some areas use caution
   

Immerse yourself in the Real Florida as you paddle under moss-draped cypress trees, and enjoy river otters, wading birds and numerous other sights and sounds along the crystal-clear waterway.

• Daily canoe and kayak rentals are available within the park.
• The Rainbow River is an aquatic preserve. Visitors are encouraged to review recreational rules and guidelines before proceeding. This includes the prohibition of disposable food and beverage containers on your person.
• Visitors may launch privately owned canoes and kayaks from the headsprings launch area but should be prepared to port their vessel 1,800 feet from the parking area to the launch area. 
• There is no vehicle access to the river within the park.
   

Uncovered picnic tables and grills are available for visitor use on a first-come, first-served basis. Please do not move picnic tables. Personal chairs, tables and shade canopies may be brought into the park, but tents are prohibited.

• All picnic items must be carried up the long entrance walkway and through the tollbooth in order to reach the picnic area.

With four pavilions available at the headsprings, Rainbow Springs is an excellent location for a family reunion. The group can spend the day swimming, canoeing, kayaking, exploring the gardens and nature trails, or viewing the three waterfalls.

Another fun way to hold a family reunion is to reserve campsites so the family can enjoy the park for a few days.

Snorkeling the headsprings of the Rainbow River is a favorite activity but is allowed only in the buoyed swimming area. However, it is allowed from the campground or from boats once you are outside of the headsprings. Please be aware that state law requires dive flags for all snorkelers.

The cool, clear waters of the headsprings are refreshing for swimming. The average depth in this natural swimming area runs from 10 to 18 feet, and the water temperature averages 72 degrees year-round.

• All inflatables, including rafts, tubes and balls, are not allowed in the park for safety reasons. Swimmers may wear life preservers or use noodles.
• The water is over 10 feet deep. Please be prepared to carefully monitor your children and non-swimmers. There is no lifeguard on duty and all swimmers do so at their own risk.

Tubing the Rainbow River is a wonderful experience but is not allowed within the headsprings area of the park. Instead, visit our tubing entrance located on S.W. 180th Avenue Road, Dunnellon.

Please see the dates and hours below for tubing availability:

• Memorial Day to Labor Day: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., seven days a week.
• First Saturday in April to Memorial Day: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekends only.
• Labor Day to end of September: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekends only. (Please call to confirm opening as facility may close early due to weather.)
• October to March: Closed.

There is a park entrance fee of $2 per person. Once you park at the tubing entrance, visit our concessionaire to rent your tubes and receive shuttle service. The cost for shuttle service is the same even if you bring your own tubes. 

• Contact Guest Services at 833-945-2925 for more information about tube rental and shuttle fees.
• All tubers must be at least 5 years of age. Tubers who are 5 or 6 years old must wear and fasten a lifejacket while tubing.
• Guest Services Inc. will shuttle you upstream 2 miles, where you enter the Rainbow River and float leisurely back to your vehicle. The trip takes about two hours to complete.
• We recommend avoiding the weekends if possible or arriving early on weekends and holidays.
• Only registered campers may tube from the campground using their own tubes.
• If you are interested in shuttling two or more of your own vehicles to tube, please find a location along the Rainbow River other than Rainbow Springs State Park to do so.

*Registered campers only: If you're a registered camper and using your own tube to float on the Rainbow River, you may exit the river via the state park tube take-out and ride the tram back to the campground for a fee. Visit the Campground Store for fees and information or contact Guest Services, Inc. at 833-945-2925. 

*Visitors parking in the tube lot and exiting at the state park tube take-out via their own personal launch location: Call Guest Services Inc. at 833-945-2925 for specific information.

Rainbow springs offers wonderful wildlife viewing along the river and along our many trails that you can find here at the park, make sure to follow the waterfall pathway and observe the occasional wood duck along the river, walk our backcountry trails and see Fox Squirrels and Gopher Tortoise’s all while listening along the way for Hawks, Owls, Kites, Eagles, Piliated Woodpeckers and Cardinals.