Rainbow Springs State Park
The source of Florida's fourth-largest spring, with clear green water. You can swim in the spring pool, float down the Rainbow River or paddle a kayak, and there is an artificial waterfall garden.
Rainbow Springs is in Dunnellon and is one of Florida's largest springs, discharging about 400 million liters of water a day into the crystal-clear Rainbow River. The park preserves the gardens, artificial waterfalls and trails left over from the classic attraction of the 1930s-70s, and the spring head has a swimming area. Popular activities include tubing down the Rainbow River (about 2-3 hours, starting from the south entrance, open in summer) or renting a kayak to paddle upstream and watch turtles and fish. Entry costs about $2 per vehicle, and tubing costs extra. Single-use cutlery and drinks are not allowed in the river. It is about 35 km from Crystal River, a 40-minute drive.
Opening hours
08:00 to sunset
Nearby sights
- Hunter Springs Park
- Three Sisters Springs
- Crystal River Archaeological State Park
- Kings Bay Manatee Swim
- Crystal River Preserve State Park
- Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring
- Fort Island Gulf Beach
- Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park