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 both the headsprings and the campground. 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, but tubers can launch at nearby K.P. Hole County Park. The full-facility campground is about six miles from the day use area. The day use area 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.

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.

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Hours of Operation

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

Driving Directions

From I-75, exit at the second Ocala exit onto State Road 40. Take State Road 40, west. Drive until it deadends 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 park 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 deadend. Go through this light; the park entrance is on the left-hand side of the road. The campground 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 or 2.5 miles south of Highway 40 off of S.W. 180th Avenue.

Park Fees

Admission Fees - $1.00 per person (children under six years old are admitted for free).

Camping Fees - $19.00/night. All campsites have water and electric. A limited number of sewer hookups are available.

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.

Felburn Pavilion seats up to 75 people on plastic chairs and tables, and can be reserved for $75.00 plus tax. The regular $1.00 admission/person still applies.

Hickory Pavilion has 14 picnic tables and can be reserved for $75.00 plus tax. The regular $1.00 admission/person still applies.

Activities at Rainbow Springs State Park

	Birding Throughout the park, on all of the Nature Trails and along the river exist many wonderful birding opportunities. A brand new park birding list has been created and a guided bird walk is offered the second Saturday of every month except June, July and August. Please call the park for more details.
	Canoeing & Kayaking Starting at the state park and flowing into the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon, the 5.6 mile long Rainbow River is truly an outstanding waterway. The crystal clear water flowing past moss-draped cypress trees competes for your attention with the river otters and large numbers of wading birds. Launching access to the river is somewhat limited. Many boaters launch at the popular KP Hole County Park, approximately 1-¼ miles downstream from the park. Privately owned boats launched at the headsprings must be carried from the parking area approximately 1000 feet to the canoe launch. Campers may rent or launch their own canoes or kayaks at the state park campground. Canoes and kayaks, including paddles and all safety equipment, are available for rent from our Visitor Service Provider, Dragonfly Watersports. A number of special regulations apply to the Rainbow River, so be sure to review the river rules prior to any boating activities. At the headsprings, both bathhouses are ADA accessible. **Please note: the lower bathhouse by the swimming area is located down a decline. Assistance may be necessary.
	Full Facility Camping NOTICE: Our campground is open. There are currently 35 sites available. Our Visitor Service Provider, Dragonfly Watersports, is back in the campground so you can rent a kayak or canoe to enjoy the river. If you bring your own, you must offload the vessel approximately 300 yards away from the river and carry or wheel it down to the water. Please watch this site for updates as the campground will close sometime this winter for a complete renovation. The Rainbow Springs State Campground is located on the river about a mile and a half downstream from the main headspring and day use area, a driving distance of approximately 6 miles. All sites have water and electric (20 and 30 amp), and some are equipped with sewer hook-ups. Most sites will accommodate a 40-foot RV with slide out. A dump station is located between the upper and lower campgrounds. A campground store, recreation hall, showers & restrooms, laundry, pool, and playground complete the amenities offered. The rate per campsite is $19/night. Fishing for largemouth bass and other fresh water species is also popular from the campground. Canoes, including paddles and all safety equipment, are available for rent from our Visitor Service Provider, Dragonfly Watersports. The swimming area roped off from the rest of the river is a popular part of the campground. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521 or visiting their website. The campground is separate from the headsprings day use area. It is located on SW 180th Avenue Road, approximately 2.5 miles north of C.R. 484, or 2.5 miles south of Hwy. 40. Both approaches are well marked with Rainbow Springs Campground directional signs. ADA accessible restrooms are located at the Ranger Station.
	Nature Trails Rainbow Springs State Park offers leisurely strolls through shady gardens laced with azaleas, oaks and magnolias. The walkways pass by three man-made waterfalls and a native plant garden. Benches located along the paths offer the visitor an opportunity to rest while enjoying the sounds of birds and flowing water. While every season has much to offer, the February and March bloom of azaleas is a popular time to visit the park. The walkways are a mixture of brick, concrete and asphalt surfaces. While historically unique and offering great views of both river and gardens, the pathways were constructed prior to ADA guidelines and are steep and uneven in places. A native garden, which is a special attraction to butterflies and hummingbirds, lies behind the cultural gardens. A nature trail winds back behind the gardens 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 Visitors' Center.
	Pet Camping Pet camping is available in our campground. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Pets must be confined, leashed, or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes must be hand-held and may not exceed six feet in length. Pets must be well-behaved at all times and must be confined in the owner's camping unit during designated quiet hours (11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.). Unconfined pets must be leashed and cannot be left unattended for more than thirty minutes. Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Pets considered a nuisance are not allowed to remain in the park.
	Pets Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Rainbow Springs State Park. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and they are not allowed to enter the water, including headsprings, swim areas, river and ponds. Doggie pot bags are provided in order to keep the park beautiful and safe for everyone.
	Picnicking Picnickers may enjoy a view overlooking the main spring basin and swimming area. Picnic tables, grills, and three covered picnic pavilions (one may be reserved, special fees apply) surround the " bowl" area, a grassy basin sloping down to the headsprings itself. Picnic items must be carried up the long entrance walkway and through the tollbooth in order to reach the picnic area. Larger groups may wish to rent the more private Felburn Pavilion, ideal for those wanting a special location for a family reunion, wedding reception or other gathering. Contact the park for details.
	Snorkeling Snorkeling the headsprings of the Rainbow River is a favorite activity but is only allowed 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. Another way to enjoy snorkeling is to sign up during the summer for a ranger-guided tour. You will learn what you are looking at and be allowed access to the otherwise protected headsprings area. At the headsprings, both bathhouses are ADA accessible. **Please note: the lower bathhouse by the swimming area is located down a decline. Assistance may be necessary.
	Swimming The cool, clear waters of the headsprings attract swimmers from late spring through fall. Swimming and snorkeling are restricted to the buoyed swimming area. The average depth in the swimming area runs from 5 to 18 feet; the water temperature averaging 72 degrees year round. Swimming hours are from 8 am to one hour before sunset. The swimming area is closed during thunderstorms. All inflatables, including rafts, tubes and balls are not allowed in the park. Swimmers may wear life preservers or use the popular " swim noodles." During the busier summer season lifeguards may be on duty. Other than a small wading area for toddlers, the water is over 5 feet deep. Please be prepared to carefully monitor your own children and non-swimmers. At the headsprings, both bathhouses are ADA accessible. **Please note: the lower bathhouse by the swimming area is located down a decline. Assistance may be necessary.
	Tubing Tubing the Rainbow River is a wonderful experience, but, tubing is not allowed within the day-use or headsprings areas of the park. Tubes can be put in at K.P. Hole County Park. The trip takes about four hours to complete. For information about tube rental call K.P. Hole County Park at 1-352-489-3055. Note: Only registered campers may tube from the campground using their own tubes or tubes rented from our Visitor Service Provider Dragonfly Watersports.

Special Events for Rainbow Springs State Park

• MUSIC ON THE GROUNDS
  Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008. Starts at sunset.
  Description: Open mike and coffee house at 8:30 p.m. Bring a chair, a mug, a musical instrument, some poetry, or your love of music for an evening with local talented artists.
  Tickets for the FORS (Friends of Rainbow Springs) event are $2.00 and include all the coffee you can drink.
  
  Fees: Tickets for the event are $2.00
  Contact: For more information, call 352-465-8555.
  
• WYLAND CLEAN WATER MOBIL LEARNING CENTER
  Date: Monday, July 21, 2008. 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
  Description: Step inside and become a Clean Water secret agent and be challenged with fun hands-on activities dealing with the health of our nation’s water.
  Presented by the Marion County Stormwater Division.
  
  Fees: Admission is free.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-465-8555.
  

Rainbow Springs State Park Ranger Programs

• GUIDED CANOE/KAYAK TRIPS
  2nd Wednesday of every month. 10:00 a.m. Bring a friend and enjoy the beautiful Rainbow River! Meet a park ranger at the canoe dock at the headsprings or day use section of the park. $1.00 entrance fee per person. The trip is about one mile downriver and back. Round trip takes about 2.5 hours. A $25 deposit with driver's license is required for rental. Rentals are $10/hour. RSVP is necessary.
  Call (352) 465-8555 for more details.
• GUIDED SNORKELING TRIPS
  1st & 3rd Wednesday, May - October. 9:00 a.m. Follow a guide from the headspring park’s canoe-kayak dock to the headsprings boundary and back, swimming upriver about 1700 feet. A safety boat follows. A lecture teaches about the ecology of the springs. RSVP Necessary. This event is free with standard park admission.
  Call (352) 465-8555 for more details.
• GUIDED GARDEN WALKS
  1st and 3rd Saturday, Nov. - April. 11:00 a.m. Enjoy a guided walk through the beautiful gardens and headspring area. Meet on the veranda and learn about the interesting history of the park, as well as some of the plants and animals that call it home. The walk is on uneven brick walkways and lasts 30 to 45 minutes. $1.00 per person park entrance fee. No RSVP necessary.
  Call (352) 465-8555 for more details.
• CAMPFIRE/CAMPING PROGRAM
  Most Saturday nights. For campers only. Check with the campground personnel for details.
  Call 352-465-8550 for more details.
• MUSIC ON THE GROUNDS
  Every 3rd Saturday of each month. Open mike and coffee house at 8:30 p.m. Bring a chair, a mug, a musical instrument, some poetry, or your love of music for an evening with local talented artists.
  Tickets for the FORS (Friends of Rainbow Springs) event are $2.00 and include all the coffee you can drink. Takes place every 3rd Saturday of each month after sunset.
  Call 352-465-8555 for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rainbow Springs State Park

Question: How much water flows out of Rainbow Springs each day?
Answer: An average of 461 million gallons of water flow out of the headsprings each day, forming the Rainbow River. This makes Rainbow Springs the 4th largest spring in Florida, 8th largest in the world.

Question: Where do you tube the Rainbow River?
Answer: Tubes can be put in at K.P. Hole County Park, on Highway 41. Call 1-352-489-3055 for more information.

Tubing is not allowed within the headsprings portion of the state park. Only registered campers may tube from the campground using their own tubes or tubes rented from our Visitor Service Provider.

Question: Do alligators exist in Rainbow Springs?
Answer: Yes, alligators exist in almost all of Florida’s fresh water, but at Rainbow Springs sightings are rare. Alligators rarely become a problem to people unless they are fed and learn to expect food from people, or they are harassed. It is against the law to harass or feed an alligator.

Question: Where are canoes available for rent?
Answer: Canoes and kayaks are available for rent from our Visitor Service Provider, Dragonfly Watersports. Canoes are also available for rent downriver at the KP Hole County Park and from private businesses in and around the town of Dunnellon.

Question: Where does Rainbow Springs begin?
Answer: Rainbow Springs State Park is where the spring run begins. Several spring vents rather than a large cavern discharge water to form the Rainbow River. Rainbow River is 5.6 miles long, flowing from the headsprings in the State Park into the Withlacoochee River.

Question: What is the temperature of the water at Rainbow Springs State Park?
Answer: Like most freshwater springs in the state of Florida, the water at Rainbow Springs averages 72 degrees year around.

Question: Where is fishing allowed on the Rainbow River?
Answer: Fishing is prohibited within the entire headsprings area. The rest of the river is open for fishing. Signs located on the river mark the no fishing zone. Please also be aware of the special litter laws on the Rainbow River –no disposable containers of any kind are allowed. Drinks and food must all be in non-disposable containers or you may be fined.

Question: Where is the campground located?
Answer: The campground is 1 mile downstream from the headsprings by boat and 6 miles by vehicle. From the headsprings park, go either north or south. Heading south, turn left onto 484, then left onto 180th Ave. Rd. If you leave the park heading north, turn right onto 40 then right onto 180th Ave. Rd.

Question: How long are the walking trails at Rainbow Springs State Park?
Answer: The Park has hard-surfaced walkways through gardens, totaling about 1.5 miles, with several loops possible. Some walkways are steep and uneven, making wheelchair and other handicap access difficult. A new nature trail has also been created, winding through woods and sandhills with scenic overlooks at historical phosphate pits and the river. This trail is approximately 2.6 miles long.

Question: Are the waterfalls at Rainbow Springs State Park natural?
Answer: No, the waterfalls were built in the 1930’s when the park was developed as a tourist attraction. The water, which is pumped from the river, is turned off at night.

Rainbow Springs State Park History

Rainbow Springs State Park Volunteer Information

Volunteering at Rainbow Springs State Park has never been so exciting! No matter what your interests, skills or hobbies, we probably have the perfect place where you can assist us in making Rainbow Springs even better. Volunteers have always been an important and integral part of this park. The local people, who formed the first group of volunteers, were actually the only workers when the state first bought this land. Rainbow Springs has a very solid base of active volunteers, including members of our Citizens' Support Organization, Friends of Rainbow Springs. We can always use more, however, especially in our busiest season, summer. Below are only a few of the opportunities that abound for an interested volunteer. If you have interests which you don't see on this list don't hesitate to contact the park's Park Services Specialist to inquire about other opportunities.

Available Volunteer Job Opportunities for Rainbow Springs State Park
(See Volunteer Form below.)

Concessions
The park operates both a food concession and a gift store, both of which are run entirely by volunteers. We are always in need of more dedicated people in these areas! This includes behind the scenes work such as purchasing, unloading orders, defrosting freezers, etc.

Construction
General repair, painting, construction, some grounds keeping, shop and tool upkeep, plumbing, electrical, recycling, and miscellaneous park projects. This work is performed under the guidance of a ranger. Volunteer must be capable of performing physical work.

Park Greeter and Patrol
Because of the great numbers of visitors during the summer months especially, patrolling the park to watch for problems and answer questions is a valuable assistance to park staff. A greeter may check coolers entering the park as well as welcome people with a friendly smile. Patrol opportunities can include operating a small electric-motor powered pontoon boat to patrol the river.

Tollbooth Operator
This is a very important position for any park. Duties include: collect entrance fees using a cash register; make correct change; sell annual park passes; make reservations for pavilion rental; respond to the staff radios; greet and provide visitors with information and directions; inform visitors about recreational activities; answer the telephone and forward to the appropriate person, etc.

Garden and Trail Maintenance
Weeding; picking up limbs, palm fronds, and branches; mulching of plants; trimming of bushes and plants; planting and pruning; watering of plants; removal of exotic plants; beautification of the garden, entrance walk, and anything else necessary to keep our gardens and trails beautiful!

Campground Host and/or Volunteer
Hosts are people who live in their RVs and stay for a few months, working in the campground in exchange for their campground site. Being available to assist other campers is one of the criteria. Volunteer opportunities are similar to those listed above.

Park Host
Park hosts, like Campground hosts, live in the park in special sites set up for RVs. The same restrictions regarding length of stays and required number of hours apply to this position as well. Duties will be widely varied but include working in the headsprings section of the park instead of the campground. Light construction work may be required. Otherwise, many of the same volunteer opportunities listed above apply.

If you would like to apply for any of the volunteer job opportunities listed above or others not listed, please fill out the Volunteer Application. Please allow for a few days before receiving a reply, thank you!

Visit the Main Volunteer page for information on volunteering in Florida State Parks

Visit the Main Volunteer page at http://www.floridastateparks.org/volunteers/default.cfm for more detailed Information

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