Rainbow Springs State Park
Legend has it that the clear, cool waters of Rainbow Springs State Park have healing abilities. People have come to dip into the cleansing springs for centuries. Even if you doubt the healing, you will still be the beneficiary of mind-clearing, anxiety-banishing crisp waters that remind you that the simple pleasures of life are best.
Activities
Swim in the 72-degree waters year-round. These springs are the perfect spot to snorkel, too. Spot fish, turtles, river otters, and manatees as you glide along the translucent surface. Within the park, you can also rent canoes and kayaks for day use. Choose to tube down the springs. It’s easy to grab your tube and get dropped off and picked up after your adventure. The waterfalls surrounded by lush foliage are a cooling temptation to explore on hot days, too.
Kayaking is one of the many fun outdoor activities at the park. Photo credit floridastateparks.org
Stay dry and have fun walking one of three different hiking trails ranging from 3/4 of a mile to 2-miles in length. Be on the lookout for wildlife like opossums, gray squirrels, black bears and alligators lounging along sunny banks. There is a wide variety of fowls for bird-watching enthusiasts including ospreys, red-shoulder hawks, and barred owls. You can also choose to visit the old rodeo zone (from the era when the park was a theme park) which has been converted into a butterfly garden. Stroll through flowering gardens filled with bushes and trees that attract Monarchs as well as a variety of hummingbirds, too. The fragrance is intoxicating. The surreal beauty of the place makes it a natural attraction for photographers wanting to capture the essence of this place. Many couples want to be married at the overlook with a backdrop of colorful azalea blooms in spring.
Explore the lush paradise of Rainbow Springs. Photo credit Kossina Creative on floridastateparks.org
Treasure Hunt
Those wanting to play ‘pirate’ can enjoy hunting for treasures while playing geocache. Using GPS coordinates, players search for caches left in designated spots. Learn more about the park, have fun, and find the treasures left by other players in this interactive game.
Camping
Those wanting to stay and enjoy Rainbow Springs overnight or for several days can choose tent or RV camping on one of 60 sites located at the campground. Large, flat roads offer plenty of room for RV-ers to navigate to their favorite spot. The level camping spots can accommodate RV’s up to 103-ft. Plenty of lush vegetation separates the spots, giving plenty of privacy to campers. All sites have water and electric, as well as picnic tables. The sites are equipped with sewer hook-ups.
Park map courtesy of floridastateparks.org
Inside the campground, guests will find clean showers and restrooms. The kids will enjoy the playground area and recreation hall. Laundry facilities make it easy to keep up with those hiking and swimming clothes. From the campground, it’s easy to gain access to the river for all of the water fun the park offers. It is so easy to get your favorite spot with Reserve America. You can book up to 11 months in advance.
Come and enjoy RV camping, hiking, exploring, and history – all within the Rainbow Springs State Park.
For more information visit the Rainbow Springs State Park page on floridastateparks.org or call 352.465.8555.
