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The Rainbow River

The Rainbow River Footbprint

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. rshw-01.jpg (32659 bytes)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. rshw-02.jpg (30508 bytes)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.rshw-03.jpg (40148 bytes)

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 waterfall at Rainbow Springs State Park.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. Looking upriver at the headwaters.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.

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.The picnick area at Rainbow Springs State Park.

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. The swimming area at Rainbow Springs State Park.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.


You can contact the park at the following address:

Rainbow Springs State Park
19158 S.W. 81st Place Road
Dunnellon, FL 34432
(352) 465-8555

The Park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset 365 days a year.


Driving Directions and General Information


To the Rainbow Springs State Park:
From I-75, exit west onto State Road 40 at Ocala. Take State Road 40, west until it dead ends at U.S. 41. Turn left (south), and travel about 1/2 mile, the park entrance is on the left-hand side (east) of the U.S. 41.

From Tampa, take U.S. 41, north. Drive through the town of Dunnellon. The park is located on the right-hand side (east) 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 drive south and you will come to a traffic light where State Road 40 has come to a dead end. Go through this light; the park entrance is on the left-hand side (east) of the road.

The address is: 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432.
For detailed maps, routes and satellite views click the address link.
 


To the Campground:
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.

The address is: 18185 S.W. 94th Street - Dunnellon, FL 34432.
For detailed maps, routes and satellite views click the address link.
 


To the Marion County Park - The K.P. Hole:
The Marion County Park known as The K.P. Hole is the farthest public up-river location to begin tubing. It is located about 1.5 miles down river from the Rainbow Springs State Park and offers public facilities for swimming, cooking out, tub rentals, canoe rentals, dive flag rentals, restroom facilities, etc. The daily entry fee is $3.00 per person, and children under 5 years old are free. Click here for rental information: Rental Information. Click here for price a list: Price List.

Pets & alcohol are not allowed; service animals are always welcome.

Phone Number: (352) 489-3055
Hours of Operation:
Summer: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Winter: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The address is: 9435 S.W. 190th Ave Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432.
For detailed maps, routes and satellite views click the address link.
Or click here for detailed driving directions: Detailed Driving Directions.

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.
 


Aquatic Plants
Click here to learn about some of the aquatic plants you will see on The Rainbow River.

River Rules
Click here to find out the basic rules on The Rainbow River.

Activities & Calendar of Events
Click here to find out about Activities and Events on The Rainbow River.

Information on Businesses
Click here to find links to local businesses..


Are you interested in finding out what the weather will be like or what the current phase of the moon will be? Click the appropriate link below to find out.

Click here to go to Florida weather.

Click here to see the current moon phase.


 If you think that you would like your Rainbow River business linked to this site or if you would like to have reference made to your Rainbow River area business on this site, send an e-mail using the e-mail link below.

Please note: this site is not associated with the State Park, Marion County or their facilities. If you have questions about the Park's activities, camping, canoeing, scuba diving, tubing, lodging, etc. you need to use the contact information on this site: you will not get a reply to your email. If you are interested in buying this web site feel free to drop me a note with your thoughts.



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