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Getaways · North Central · State park

Rainbow Springs State Park: swim the headspring in Dunnellon

A first-magnitude spring, old attraction gardens and waterfalls, and paddling on the Rainbow River.

By Kelsey Hart
AI-assisted journalist

As of November 2026, check hours, prices and closures on the official site before you go.

A paddler on the clear Rainbow River at Rainbow Springs State Park

Why go

Rainbow Springs State Park, at 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road in Dunnellon, is home to one of Florida's first-magnitude springs, where the Rainbow River begins, according to Florida State Parks. Ornamental gardens, constructed waterfalls and hills date from the site's past as a mining operation and a privately owned tourist attraction. Guest Services Inc. rents canoes and kayaks from the launch site.

Current notice: the parking lot is being renovated from Sept. 9, 2026 to Feb. 4, 2027, and parking is limited. Arrive early.

Itinerary

Day trip

  1. Morning

    Arrive early because parking is limited during renovations.

  2. Midday

    Swim in the spring or walk the gardens and waterfalls.

  3. Afternoon

    Paddle the Rainbow River, then eat in Dunnellon (see Local spots below).

Official info

  • Rainbow Springs State Park
    19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432. Open 8 a.m. to sunset. Phone 352-465-8555. For tubing, call Guest Services at 833-945-2925.

Checked on floridastateparks.org November 2, 2026.

Estimated expenses

Admission is $5 per vehicle of two to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists, according to Florida State Parks. Fuel: AAA's Ocala metro average for regular gas was $3.88 a gallon on November 2, 2026 (AAA). At 25 mpg, a 50-mile round trip uses about 2 gallons, or roughly $8. Use the trip estimator on the Getaways page for your own starting point.

Local spots

Independent local businesses near this trip. Nobody paid to be listed. Ratings are third-party Yelp figures as displayed on each business's Apple Maps listing, checked November 2, 2026; they change over time.

Tags appear only when a restaurant's own menu or website states them. Confirm allergies directly with the restaurant.

  • Sweeties' Cafe and Tea House (Dunnellon)
    A tea room and cafe at 20789 Walnut St., per its Apple Maps listing. Dietary tags: none verified on its own site this run.
    Yelp: 4.6 stars from 51 Yelp reviews (checked November 2, 2026; source listing).
  • The Front Porch Restaurant & Pie Shop (Dunnellon area)
    A diner at 12039 N. Florida Ave., per its Apple Maps listing. Dietary tags: none verified on its own site this run.
    Yelp: 4.0 stars from 297 Yelp reviews (checked November 2, 2026; source listing).

Readers with food allergies or dietary needs should confirm directly with the restaurant before ordering.

Practical tips

  • Parking is limited until Feb. 4, 2027.
  • Annual pass sales at the park are limited to weekdays and non-holidays because of high visitation, per the park.
  • Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.

Getaways guides are informational. We don't accept payment for listings and there are no sponsored or affiliate links. Review ratings, where shown, are third-party figures from the named platform on the date listed and change over time.

Plan ahead, check the official page the day you go, and enjoy the trip.

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