Rainbow Springs State Park

Rainbow Springs State Park is home to a group of freshwater springs that produce more than 400 million gallons of crystal clear water each day. The natural beauty of the springs provides the perfect location for swimming, paddling, kayaking, camping, and more!

Rainbow Springs State Park has three distinct areas (with separate entry): the headsprings, tube rental facility, and campground.

Headsprings

Rainbow Springs is Florida’s fourth largest freshwater spring and feeds the Rainbow River, popular for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking. There are also numerous paved walking trails and 3 hiking/nature trails.

Rainbow Springs is one of many old historic Florida roadside attractions. Between the 1930’s and 1960’s, the owners added waterfalls with water from the springs. Then, 1967 it changed hands again with the goal of making it a major family destination. In 1968 animal shows were added, along with an aviary, a paddlewheel riverboat, newly air-conditioned submarine boats, a rodeo demonstration ring, and an unusual leaf-shaped monorail that went right through the upper reaches of the aviary.

Today, the waterfalls remain, but the rest of the park is in keeping with its state park status and focuses on the area’s natural beauty. For $2 a person, visitors can swim in the freshwater headsprings of the Rainbow River, enjoy the nature trails and water falls, and enjoy the picnic areas with tables, grills, and pavilions. The park also has kayak and canoe rentals for an additional fee.

Enjoy a refreshing dip in the beautiful crystal clear waters of Rainbow Springs State Park.

Enjoy the beautiful nature trails at Rainbow Springs State Park.

Enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the winding paved walking paths at Rainbow Springs State Park.

The natural freshwater springs at Rainbow Springs State Park produce more than 400 gallons on crystal clear water per day. Enjoy a dip in the refreshing water or a peaceful walk among nature at this Florida State Park.

Enjoy the beautiful waterfalls at Rainbow Springs State Park in Florida.

Tube Rental

A few miles up the road, you can park your car and rent a tube to float down the river. Parking is $5.00 park fee per vehicle, for up to 8 people. Shuttle service back to your car is included with the $15.00 per per person tube rental fee. Please note that this a seasonal activity and hours vary:

First Saturday in April – Memorial Day: 8:00am – 3:30pm, Weekends only

Memorial Day – Labor Day: 8:00am – 3:30pm, 7 days per week

Labor Day – End of September: 8:00am – 3:30pm, Weekends only

October – March: Closed

Campground

The campground has 60 sites for both RVers and tent campers. All RV sites are full hook-up (30/50 amp power, water, and sewer).You can use the ReserveAmerica website or app to reserve a site. Both provide a campground layout map and pictures of available sites to assist you in making a selection.

Want to See More?

Click here to read about 5 Fabulous Freshwater Springs in Florida.

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Where Does The Water Come From?

A spring is a natural opening in the ground where water flows directly from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. The source of this fresh water is from seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground, which is referred to as groundwater. Springs form when groundwater is under pressure and flows up through an opening called a spring vent, supplying flow to a river or other water body. A spring can occur individually or as a group of many springs. Click here to learn more about the springs and how to protect them.

Activities at the Springs

The crystal clear water of these fabulous freshwater springs provides the perfect backdrop for swimming, paddling, and boating. But there’s more! All five are located in Florida State Parks so there are also plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, geocaching, and even camping. Click each location below to learn more.

Located along the meandering Suwannee River, Fanning Spring in an inviting source of cool, clear crisp water perfect for swimming and paddling.

A popular place to see West Indian manatees every day of the year, Homosassa Spring in an inviting source of cool, clear crisp water perfect for swimming and paddling.

Florida's fourth largest spring, Rainbow Spring in an inviting source of cool, clear crisp water perfect for swimming and paddling.

Silver Springs State Park combines the charm of a historic Florida attraction with the crystal clear beauty of one of the last uninhabited spring runs in the state. Silver Spring in an inviting source of cool, clear crisp water perfect for swimming and paddling.

Weeki Wachee is an enchanted spring where you can see live mermaids, take a trip on a river boat cruise, learn about Florida wildlife, and swim in the pristine waters at Buccaneer Bay. You can also embark on a paddling adventure down the pristine waterway of the Weeki Wachee River. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is one of Florida’s most legendary and unique family destinations, entertaining audiences since 1947.

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