Rainbow Springs State Park is the perfect weekend getaway if you’re looking for a fun-filled adventure. The state park is conveniently located in Marion County, Florida, about an hour from Gainesville and two hours from Tampa. 

With its breathtaking views, it’s no wonder locals revisit time and again – even if they’ve been coming here their whole life.

Rainbow Springs is Florida’s fourth largest freshwater spring. It offers travelers fun outdoor activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, hiking, camping, or enjoying Florida’s unique landscape.

Ways to Experience Rainbow Springs, State Park

Rainbow Springs State Park offers travelers many ways to experience Florida’s natural beauty and splendor. Here are just a few of our top picks for things to do.

Go Swimming in the Crystal-Clear Water

With its pristine waters and serene setting, Rainbow River is ideal for cooling off on a hot summer day. The water is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. So put on your swimsuit, and enjoy an invigorating swim.

The designated swimming area is 10-18 feet deep, so you can swim in the shallows or venture further into deeper waters. If you’re swimming with kids or are new to swimming in open water, take extra precautions and always keep an eye on your little ones! Unfortunately, no lifeguards are on duty, so it’s up to you to watch over everyone in your group.

Note: Inflatables, including rafts, are not allowed in the swimming hole. You can swim on noodles or wear life preservers if you need support.

Explore the Trails, Wildlife, and Waterfalls

Rainbow Springs State Park is a nature lover’s paradise. The trails span an impressive 2.5 miles along the Rainbow River, offering picturesque views of sandhill communities, temperate hardwood hammocks, oaks, azaleas, the river, and the phosphate pits.

Walk through the gardens, discover the park’s diverse wildlife, and look out for some of its famous residents, like the river otters, Osprey, hawks, alligators, and Sandhill Cranes. In addition, birdwatchers will enjoy spotting some of Florida’s beautiful feathered friends, like owls, songbirds, wading birds, and woodpeckers.

As you stroll by, view the three man-made waterfalls tumbling over the cliffs and forming small pools, perfect for a refreshing dip on a warm summer day. These waterfalls were built around the area where miners dug pits to extract phosphate in the late 19th century.

As of publication, only one waterfall is working. The other two are being restored.

Explore the Park by Kayak, Canoe, or Paddleboard

If you love being on the water, explore Rainbow Springs State Park by kayak, paddleboard, or canoe. The park has a headsprings launch area for privately-owned vessels, so you can bring your boat and drift down the crystal-clear waters of the Rainbow River. There is an area for kayak trailer parking, but be prepared to port your vessel 1,800 feet from the parking area to the launch area.

If you don’t have a boat or prefer not to paddle, you can rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards from the park and see Rainbow Springs from a new perspective. Paddle along the river, explore its tributaries and take in serene views of nature as you navigate through beautiful forests and boat docks.

You can explore this diverse aquatic habitat as much as possible, but fishing is prohibited in the headwaters area. Fishing is only available to registered campers from the campground, and a fishing license may be required. Also, as an aquatic reserve, the state protects the river, and you must obey recreational rules and guidelines.

Picnic Under the Shades

Rainbow Springs State Park is an excellent spot for picnics, and you’ll love spending time in its many picnic areas. Enjoy your meal in the shade of ancient oaks as you take in river views, or enjoy each other’s company with good food and conversation.

The park provides free picnic tables and grills, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Keep in mind that you’re not allowed to move the tables. If you prefer having your own setup, please bring chairs, tables, and canopies. Tents, however, are not allowed.

Make reservations for a more comfortable experience for one of the park’s campsites or cabins. These rental options include access to facilities, including restrooms and showers, to enjoy a relaxing picnic any time of the day.

Camp at the Park

If you want to immerse yourself in nature, there’s no better way than camping at Rainbow Springs State Park. The park has over 50 campsites, each with running water, electric hookups, and sewerage disposal. You can stay at the campground in a tent or your RV or rent one of the park’s cabins.

If you are a tent camper, you will camp in a tent-only area accessible by hiking a short distance. There are designated areas to park your car a few minutes away from the tent sites. Be prepared for this short walk with all your camping essentials.

The campground has direct access to the river. If you want to swim, fish, or paddle, you can head to the river and enjoy your favorite water activities. If you don’t have a boat or other floating device, the campground has canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. 

Whatever you do, don’t take your pet with you – pets are not allowed in the swimming areas or buildings.

Visit the Florida State Park website to register an account, make camp reservations, and book your stay.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a fun and exciting way to explore the beautiful waters of Rainbow Springs State Park. So put on the gear, grab a snorkel and fin set, and dive in to see the river’s many beautiful fish. You can expect tropical and native trout, bass, catfish, and even tiny freshwater shrimp.

There are a few things to note when snorkeling at the park. First, snorkeling in the headsprings is allowed only in the buoyed swimming area. Avoid this activity if you’re in the headsprings but not the designated area. Second, snorkeling is allowed at other areas in the campground or from boats outside the headspring.

Also, before swimming underwater, remember to take a dive flag with you; this is a safety requirement when snorkeling in the river. The flag’s purpose is to alert other boaters and swimmers of your location. Florida state laws require anyone snorkeling in the river to have a dive flag, so make sure you have one before swimming.

Snorkeling is relatively easy, but a first-time snorkeling experience can be overwhelming. If you’re new to the activity, brace yourself for a learning curve. However, once you get the hang of it, you’ll love exploring Rainbow Springs State Park’s beautiful underwater world.

Tubing

Tubing is a popular activity at Rainbow Springs and is worth trying. This activity allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery as drift down the river. 

You can rent tubes from the park or bring one – make sure it’s large enough for you to comfortably fit in it. You have to be a registered camper to use a personal tube.

To get the most out of tubing, go early in the morning or the evening. In the mornings, you’ll see various wildlife and birds waking up as you float down the river. In the evenings, you can watch the sunset over the water as you drift along. The park recommends avoiding weekends and getting to the tubing entrance early to avoid crowds.

Another crucial tidbit for families is that children under five years cannot tube, and children 5 or 6 must wear a life jacket while tubing. You may opt for a different watercraft if you have young children who can’t participate.

Tubing is a fun and relaxing way to explore Rainbow Springs, State Park.

Important Park Guidelines

Rainbow Springs State Park is an excellent destination for anyone who loves to explore natural beauty. Familiarize yourself with park guidelines so you can make the most of your visit and keep other visitors safe:

• All visitors, regardless of age, require an entrance fee of $2.
• The park is pet-friendly, but only well-behaved pets are allowed into the park and they must be kept on a 6-foot leash.
• Pets are not allowed in certain areas, such as designated buildings and swimming areas.
• Snorkeling is only allowed in the buoyed swimming area of the main headsprings entrance, and a dive flag is required for all snorkelers.
• Tubing is allowed, but children under five years old cannot tube, and children between 5 to 6 years old need to wear life jackets while tubing.
• No tubing, diving, or fishing is permitted in the headsprings area.
• Fireworks and hunting are prohibited in the park.
• All park animals, plants, and property are protected. Never remove plants, rocks, or other natural items from the park.

Make sure to follow park rules while exploring Rainbow Springs State Park so you can enjoy your visit and keep everyone safe.

Explore Rainbow Springs, State Park

Located three miles north of Dunnellon, Florida, Rainbow Springs State Park is an excellent destination for anyone who wants to explore the beauty of nature. From hiking trails and family camping to snorkeling and tubing, you will experience several exciting activities at this beautiful park.

With a minimal entrance fee, there is practically no barrier to enjoying the nature, wildlife, and scenery at Rainbow Springs.

This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.