Rainbow River

Rainbow River is located in Rainbow Spring State Park at S.W. 81st Place Road in Dunnellon, Florida and is approximately 30 minutes from Miami International Airport. The Rainbow River is 5.6 miles long and merges with the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon. The park is open all year round from 8am until sundown.

The river is formed by a first magnitude spring, which is numerous vents issuing 400 to 600 million gallons of crystalline water every day. The river is popular for various watersports including canoeing and kayaking. This is a good way to spot the wildlife on the river including otters and wading birds. Swimming and snorkeling in the headsprings can be done in the buoyed area only between 8am and one hour before sundown.

Tubing is another popular activity but cannot be done in the headsprings area of the park. However, the tubing entrance is at SW 180th Avenue Road and the trip is on a loop taking about two hours to complete. Visitors can rent tubes from the Concessionaire at the park. Picnic tables and grills are available in the park near the river and there is a campground about a mile and a half downstream from the main headspring.