Rainbow Springs State Park
A CENTURIES-OLD PILGRIMAGE STILL BEING MADE TODAY
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A CENTURIES-OLD PILGRIMAGE STILL BEING MADE TODAY
8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year
Fees vary
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19158 S.W. 81st Place Road Dunnellon FL 34432 Get directions
352-465-8555
Rainbow Springs State Park has a long and illustrious history that dates back centuries to a time when native peoples frequented this lush spring on a regular basis.
Despite the fact that the land has been shaped by both enterprising developers and the loving hands of community volunteers in the modern era, the allure of the beautifully serene park has endured. As soon as swimmers take their first dip in the sapphire-blue waters of Rainbow Springs, they become characters in a storey that dates back more than 10,000 years, to the time when humans first set foot on this land.
Architectural features such as ornamental gardens, man-made waterfalls, and sloping hills serve as visible reminders of the springs’ recent history, when the land was home to an underground mining operation and a privately owned tourist attraction.
Traveling through lush, mossy hammocks and then cooling off in the springs is an old-fashioned pleasure that has been passed down through generations.
Effective Aug. 26, 2021: The headsprings entrance at Rainbow Springs State Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset daily. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the head springs.
Rainbow Springs has very high visitation on weekends and holidays. The headsprings entrance will close when the park reaches capacity. No vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians will be allowed to enter, including registered campers. If you are hosting or attending an event, please plan accordingly. If you leave the park when it is closed, you will not be allowed to re-enter until the following day. Neither waiting in line in the park nor parking on the roads adjacent to the park will be allowed. Vehicles left outside the park on the road or private property could be towed at the owner’s expense.
HABITAT RESTORATION IN PROGRESS
The park is in the process of restoring sandhill habitat next to the tubing facility off 180th Avenue Road. The long-term restoration project includes non-native tree removal, prescribed burning, invasive plant control, and replanting of trees and native ground cover. For details, please review the Frequently Asked Questions.
Note: This is not the official Park website. However, it is an easy-to-use site, with everything you need to plan a trip.
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