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The Rainbow River is located in
the southwest corner of Marion County Florida, about 20 miles southwest of Ocala, 100
miles northwest of Orlando and 100 miles north of the Tampa Bay area.
Once named Wekiwa Creek, Blue Spring, and Blue Run, archaeological evidence indicates that the waters of the Rainbow River have attracted and sustained human inhabitants for over 10,000 years. The crystal clear water, abundant with fish, wildlife and vegetation along with the constant water temperature of 73 degrees, has attracted a number of modern day activities. The springs became popular in the late
1880’s when hard rock phosphate was discovered in the area. A small community called
Juliette The entire Rainbow River was
designated as a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986, and an
"Outstanding Florida Waterway" in 1987. The state purchased the original area
that was the Rainbow Springs Attraction in 1990. Volunteers cleared the overgrown park and
opened the park on weekends to the public. The Florida Park Service officially opened
Rainbow Springs State Park on a full time basis on March 9, 1995. Rainbow Springs State Park is comprised of 826
upland acres, 79 wetland acres, and 15 submerged acres. The most significant natural
feature is the first magnitude headspring basin which produces between 400 - 600 million
gallons of fresh water per day, forming the Rainbow River. The looking glass waters of
Rainbow Springs come from several vents, not one large bubbling spring. The river itself
supports a wide variety of fish , wildlife, and plants, many within easy viewing by
visitors.
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You can contact the park at the following address: Rainbow Springs State Park The Park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset 365 days a year. |
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Driving Directions and General Information To the
Rainbow Springs State Park:
The address is:
19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432. To the
Campground:
The address is:
18185 S.W. 94th Street - Dunnellon, FL 34432.
To the Marion
County Park - The K.P. Hole: Pets & alcohol are not allowed; service animals are always welcome.
Phone Number: (352) 489-3055 The
address is:
9435 S.W. 190th Ave Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432. Important NOTICE for those interested in tubing the Rainbow River. The K. P. Hole has very limited parking. Once the parking lot is full the park closes until parking spaces open up. If you park on the street or on private property you will be ticketed and your vehicle towed. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the parking lots are usually full by 10:00. If you are coming to The Rainbow River to tube down the river a better alternative to the K. P. Hole is the new State Park facility on the east side of the river. The State Park's new Tubing Entrance to the park is located at 10830 S.W. 180th Ave Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432 on the east side of the river. From here you can rent a tube, ride the tram up river and then float back to your point of origin, not needing a second vehicle. The float trip is approximately one and one-half hours long, depending on wind. And after floating down the river you can show your receipt for free admission to the headsprings area of the park at the US 41 entrance for a day of picnicking, nature study, swimming and family fun.
Using the State's new tubing facility
you will enter the river directly across the river from the K. P. Hole. Your
tubing trip will be about 2 hours long if you use the State's take out on
the east side of the river. If you leave from the K. P. Hole the tubing trip
will be about 4 hours to the State Road 484 bridge take out. If you use the
State's new tubing facility and decide you would like a longer day on the
river, once you finish the 2 hour trip, you exit the river and then take the
tram back up river for another 2 hour float. There are several advantages to
doing the "double dip". Your vehicle is located at the State's take out
facility along with restrooms and other facilities. If some in your group do
not want to spend another 2 hours on the river they are not forced to
continue. If the weather is bad you are not stuck on the river in a
lightning storm. The first 2 hours of the float is on the best part of the
river: the water is clearer, cleaner and the scenery is much better. If you
want to take a break and have a bite to eat your vehicle is right there for
you to access drinks and food - which are not allowed on the river. |
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Aquatic Plants |
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River
Rules |
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Activities
& Calendar of Events |
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Information on Businesses |
It is formed by a
first magnitude spring that is ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge. In
addition to the springs located at the headwaters, there are many smaller springs that
discharge from numerous caves, rock crevices, and sand boils the entire length of the
river. The Rainbow River is a gently winding river that is 5.7 miles long and merges
with the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon Florida.
The headwaters is the anchor for the Rainbow
Springs State Park. This first magnitude spring is not one large vent but is numerous
vents that issue 400 - 600 million gallons of crystalline water every day. The Rainbow
Springs State Park is a popular destination to swim, snorkel, canoe, picnic, or stroll on
the walking paths to enjoy the many plants and animals that abound here.
flourished near the springs during this "boomtown"
era. In the 1930’s the spring was developed as a tourist attraction. Sea walls, a
lodge, gift shop, the waterfalls, and a reptile exhibit were developed. Under new
ownership, the real heyday for the attraction occurred in the 1960’s. During that
time activity greatly increased with glass-bottomed boat rides, riverboat rides, log raft
rides, a gift shop and cafe, an aviary, a leaf-shaped gondola/monorail system, a horse
rodeo, and submarine boat tours.
Not
faring well when traffic began using I-75 instead of U.S. Highway 41, with many tourists
heading to a new attraction called Disney World, the attraction closed in 1974.
In total, the park contains 11 distinct natural communities,
including sandhills, flatwoods, upland mixed forests, and hydric hammocks.
Visitors are able to see a variety of wildflowers in season; oak, longleaf
pines, magnolia, dogwood, redbud, and hickory trees; gray squirrels,
red-shoulder hawks, swallowtail kites, barred owls, whitetail deer, and a
wide variety of wading birds. The relative peace and quiet of the winter
season offers much for the nature enthusiast. There is an interpretive room
located in the visitor center displaying historical, natural, and cultural
resources of the park.
