Rainbow Springs State Park was the fourth stop in our Florida natural springs tour. We were initially looking for a paddle board launch. While there is an area to launch from at Rainbow Springs, one must carry boards, kayaks or canoes from the parking lot to the launch. We ended up spending time around the headsprings instead.
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Rainbow Springs State Park is in Dunnellon, Florida. It is located on over 1,400 acres of land and offers swimming, snorkeling, tubing, hiking, paddling and camping. This land has a dynamic history. It was a site for mining before being turned into a theme park and then finally a State Park. Throughout the years Rainbow Springs has attracted people seeking cures as the water became known for having healing powers.
Currently there are three separate entrances to the park for the headsprings, tubing and camping . It is recommended to visit the Florida State Springs website to plan your trip accordingly. The headsprings entrance opens daily at 8 am and costs $2 per person. Check the website for the campground office hours and tubing hours. The hours vary for tubing at different times of the year. Tube rentals are available on site.
The headsprings entrance offers a variety of activities including nature trails, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling and paddling. The Visitor’s Center and concessions are also located at this entrance. From the entrance visitors can choose to walk a nature trail and visit man made waterfalls. The waterfalls were built on top of areas that were previously mined for phosphate. Visitors can also walk down to the swimming area from the Visitor’s Center.
The swimming area is quite large and roped off. The depth ranges from 5 to 18 feet. Inflatables are not allowed in the swimming area. One can wear a life vest if needed. There is a much smaller wading area beyond the swimming area that is a few feet deep. If you walk even further one will reach the rental area for kayaks and canoes.
We didn’t end up spending too much time here since we wanted to launch our own paddle boards but I must say the water was beautiful. It was the clearest water of all of the springs we visited that weekend. If we were looking for a place to swim and snorkel Rainbow Springs would have been the perfect destination.
I can’t speak to the magical healing powers of the water but in my opinion it would be a good spot for nature therapy. For us, getting out and experiencing the beauty of nature is healing.
For video footage of our time at Rainbow Springs check out the video below on our YouTube Channel Explorcation:
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If you are planning a trip to any Florida natural spring Florida Spring Life is a great resource for maps, pictures, videos and blog experiences.
Thanks to Linda for accompanying us on our Florida natural springs tour and for helping us document our time at the springs.
It sounds like a really beautiful place! Would definitely love to visit someday…