Rainbow Springs

How beautiful is this park?! My husband and I came there last weekend. It wasn’t «Florida trail walkway» what we expected on the way from the parking lot to the entrance. It looked nice. Paved… After paying $ 2 each we saw the view of the park from the hill. Paved walkways and beautiful blue water. It was a hot day, so we went in for a dip. People were swimming in the crystal clear springs and sunbathing on a beautiful green lawn. The water felt cold at first, but after swimming for a minute it felt so nice. After we swam for a while we got out and went on a walk, exploring the park. Several waterfalls and greenery made it unforgettable! Old zoo and butterfly gardens were very nice to walk around too. We had to hurry back to our site, so didn’t spend nearly as much time as we would’ve liked to. Can’t wait to return soon.

Water is beautiful, facilities are good! Swimming is so much fun, refreshing! A great place to walk around surrounded with green!

Love the springs. Water falls, trails, and springs galore. They are so nice. I recommend floating the tube spring first then driving over to main park because once you pay to float, all you have to do is keep your receipt and show them at the gate and they will let you in but you have to drive over there. If you lose it, it’s only $ 2 to get back in. They say you can’t get the waterfalls but you can always sneak a quick snap shot. No harm no foul. No alcohol allowed but they just don’t want you trashing it. It’s a beautiful place. I recommend it to everyone. I will probably never go back. I will just keep my memories as they were

This place Sucks! No body else should ever come! Please don’t! Just stay away!
(unless you like really great original Florida in it’s natural state.)
If you really MUST come. then snorkle/​tube the river, perfect water and scenery.

Loved walking around the waterfalls! Will definitely return for kayaking in the future! Beautiful springs

Rainbow Springs entrance fee is only $ 2 per person to enjoy beautiful springs, hiking trails and waterfalls.
Keep an eye out when you are walking; there is a map from the 60’s showing you how the park was originally set up. There are three waterfalls located in the garden area, so you don’t even have to hike to see them.
There are a couple benches throughout this area and it is a great place to sit and relax and listen to sounds the falls makes.
The garden area also has butterfly gardens and an abandoned zoo. It was too cold for the butterfly garden, most of the plants were dead but I’m sure in spring it would be beautiful. The abandoned zoo has one large enclosed cage that is cool and the rest just looked more like fencing. It was a very small area. But I did go in the main cage to get a photo; I felt like I was in LOST. Do this at your own risk. Not sure if this is allowed but there were no signs that said otherwise.
There are three hiking trails you can take with varying distances; White, Yellow and Blue. The beginning starts you off with a warning about bears! It said they are more likely to be spotted at dawn and dusk. It was early afternoon, so we weren’t too scared lol. Okay, maybe a little scared. We heard some weird noises in the woods and didn’t see any animals nearby!
I suggest packing a lunch and to eat while enjoying the view of the springs on the picnic tables. It took around two hours to see all the gardens and walk one of the trails. Read more about it in our blog.

It was super nice place, with lots of things to see and do. How ever the nature trails needed to be marked better. Maybe add some you are here posts, with this way to get back to the trail start added in as well.

Beautiful park and worth taking the drive out there to see. There is a small swimming area that is roped off but get there early if you want to swim in peace. People crowd the swimming area and deck and it was uncomfortable. Also, bring a floatation device. There is no where to put your feet once you are in the water, so if you can’t tread ice cold water, bring something to hold on to. I wish I had, I found myself tiring out real quick. It’s fresh water too, so you have little to no buoyancy.
There is another portion of the park devoted to a nice walking trail where you can see man made water falls and other portions of the river from different view points. It was beautiful.

Beautiful place for a relaxed getaway! For couples, for kids, for families. Don’t forget to do the tubbing down the river, a must do!

One of the most beautiful places on earth. The campground is great. The springs and walking paths are safe and great for dogs. The waterfalls and bridges have lots of benches and areas to grill, picnic, birdwatch, gator spot and the like. Beautiful place!

Rainbow springs is one of the most incredible places I’ve seen in the U.S. Located in what seems like the middle of nowhere compared to SFL, this gem is amazing. Year round 72 degree, crystal clear water. Fish, birds, turtles, and other animals (manatees although you’ll likely only see them in the winter). I can’t say enough about this place.
GET THERE EARLY BEFORE THE PARK FILLS UP!!!
We saw some articles online about some of Floridas best kept treasures and Rainbow Springs definitely did not disappoint. I was literally in love the second I saw the water. This is the type of place I’d love to retire, when I’m old enough of course.
I’d recommend renting a kayak/​canoe and taking the trip a few miles downstream. Tubes are an option at one of the entry points but the head of the spring is where you want to be. Trust me!
I’m convinced it’s the fountain of youth. One of the most wonderful places in Florida for sure.

Going to rate as a 3 but we didn’t go tubing. Had we gone tubing, this would probably be at least a 4. At the park side, it’s not great for small kids because the water is deep everywhere. There’s a very small kids section but not much room for how packed it was. Not alot of area to picnic by the actual spring. Does have a concession area and the prices were decent. Beautiful water.

I love to kayak this river. Make sure you go in the morning before the crowds come. The amazing and abundant wildlife is breathtaking. Giant schools of blue fish, turtles, ducks, commegrants… and couple this with the sparkling crystal clear waters and the effervescent springs… cool and refreshing.
However, the swim area at the head of rainbow springs is not really designed for little ones that can’t swim– so, bring your floats and safety gear and thermal wear!

My family and I finally made it to Rainbow Springs after having heard so many wonderful things about it. The Unilocal Queen of Ocala Sue M mentioned it to me a few months back so I was very interested in visiting. Getting to Dunnellon is an easy drive from Orlando, Turnpike to I-​75 and then you can either take SR 40 or 484 exit and it will take you into Dunnellon. There are signs that guide you to the springs once you’ve reached downtown Dunnellon.
The entrance to the springs is impressive with all the majestic trees and hanging moss that surround the road leading to the parking lot. Once you park, you have to walk a bit to get to the springs entrance. Admission is $ 2.00 which is practically free to get in. There is a huge open grass area where you can have a cookout, set up a tent with chairs or grab one of the few covered pavilions. You are allowed to bring in portable grills, coolers, refreshments, food but according to the signs, alcohol is prohibited.
I am not a native to Florida, I lived close to 25 years in Connecticut so I had no idea that the springs were going to be that COLD!!! Cold is probably an understatement! I jumped in and like you see in the cartoons, I jumped out just as fast. Even on a scorching day with 100 degree temperatures, this water is freezing, I was told the water temperature is approximately 72 but it feels more like 32. The water itself is crystal clear and it looks beautiful but it’s deep so if you don’t swim very well, wear a life jacket or use a tube, there are no lifeguards.
There are plenty of other things to do but unfortunately we were not able to explore much because of a violent thunderstorm that came in unexpectedly. I suggest you get there early so you can avoid the summer storms in the afternoon. I do want to return one day but as far as going swimming, I think I’ll pass!

The springs are beautiful! A true «do not miss» moment! The water is a cool 72 year round, a crystal clear aqua! Very hard to describe adequately…
You can swim, kayak or canoe. They rent on site.
For only $ 2 bucks each we were able to walk the paved & unpaved trails, as well as swim.

Absolutely stunning!!! A must see if you are in the area! Bring your snorkel gear and a noodle! Only downfall is the swimming area brings out some interesting people– $ 2 to swim is very cheap if you know what I mean… Save yourself the headache of dealing with rowdy teenagers and being afraid to leave your bag alone for a sec– and go rent a canoe or kayak and get out in that beautiful water!!! It’s so amazing and so peaceful! Tons of turtles and fish!!! So cool!
Actually enjoyed this area more than crystal river because of the clarity of the water!

This is the third state park I have visited and I must say, the State Park System is one of the Jewels in the Crown of Florida. We totally enjoyed ourselves here visiting the waterfalls and the butterfly park. I’m sure it’s a lot more colorful in the summer but it was a nice break from the rigors of the Midwestern Winter. We did the short hike to the various falls, taking pictures and enjoying the greenery, palms and other plants. The swimming area is such a gorgeous turquoise and there is canoeing available which I would LOVE to do some day. The price is right too. $ 2? Wow! Eat this stuff up because it is a cheap way to have a great day!

Amazing park, the first week of November is the perfect time to come here for a visit. There was barely anyone in the water or kayaking.

Beautiful park, from what I’ve seen of it. Lots of tall trees and greenery and the parking is generous.
However, this is NOT where you go for tubing on Rainbow Springs. There is a park-​sponsored put-​in, but you cannot get there from the address for the main park. I’ve not been there, but I found an address for it by googling «tubing rainbow springs.»
There is an option on the same side of the river called K.P. Hole (this is what we used), which has its own Unilocal page. Regardless, you will not want to start tubing after 11am on the weekends, as they get REALLY busy. Definitely worth it!

One of the BEST places to go if you want to experience the REAL FLORIDA! This place is gorgeous with fresh water springs throughout the river! You can rent kayaks and canoes at either the head springs or the KP Hole. The KP Hole parking usually fills up before 10am so if you are going to go, try to go as early as possible because it is summer and high season.
At the head of the springs, inner tubes are NOT allowed, but you can purchase a «noodle» in which to enjoy the water. The head springs are pretty deep so if you want to swim around, using a «noodle» for a flotation device is recommended. Tubing is allowed past the head springs and throughout the rest of the river. If you have a snorkel, mask and fins, bring that, too! Or you can purchase those at the «canteen.» There is 100% visibility of clear springs while swimming from the head to the KP Hole.
If you choose to rent a kayak or canoe, the prices are $ 22.00 plus tax for two hours. Not a bad deal if you don’t have one of your own. If you start at the head, it will be an easy paddle down to the KP Hole. However, you will use a little muscle power coming back because you will be going against the current… FYI!
If you just want to stay at the head and swim around there, you have a spacious picnic area to layout to catch some rays and explore the water fall located to the right of the main entrance. Overall, this is a wonderful way to experience all of the wildlife in and around the entire river and even the novice paddler will have an amazing time! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! :)