Rainbow Springs Camping: The State Park Campground Guide
Camp on the Rainbow River near Dunnellon in Marion County. RV sites with water, electric and sewer, hike-in tent sites, and river access for swimming, paddling and fishing.
What Should You Know Before Camping at Rainbow Springs?
Can you camp at Rainbow Springs State Park?
Yes. Rainbow Springs State Park runs its own campground at 18185 SW 94th Street, Dunnellon, a separate facility on the Rainbow River a few miles from the headspring entrance. RV sites have water, 20/30/50-amp electric and sewer hookups; tent-only sites are hike-in sites with water and 110 electric. A camp store, showers, restrooms and laundry are on site.
How do you reserve a campsite at Rainbow Springs?
Reservations are made online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or by calling 800-326-3521 (TDD 888-433-0287), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern. Florida residents can book up to 11 months ahead and non-residents up to 10 months ahead. The park calls the campground very popular and advises booking early; unreserved sites go to walk-ins first-come, first-served.
How much does camping at Rainbow Springs cost?
Florida State Parks shows the Rainbow Springs nightly rate inside the reservation system once dates are selected. Statewide, campsites run $16 to $42 a night, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee per booking and a $7 nightly utility fee on RV units (tents are exempt). The camping fee includes park admission.
Can you walk from the campground to the headspring?
No. The campground is a separate facility a few miles from the headspring day-use entrance at 19158 SW 81st Place Road, so campers drive between the two; the park does not describe a walking route or shuttle connecting them. Registered campers can swim, fish and paddle in the Rainbow River directly from the campground instead.
Can you tube the Rainbow River from the campground?
Only registered campers may tube from the campground, and only with their own tubes. Campers can exit at the state park tube take-out and ride the tram back for a fee set by Guest Services (833-945-2925). Day visitors use the separate tubing entrance at 10830 SW 180th Avenue Road, open the first Saturday in April through September.
What are the campground rules for check-in, gates and pets?
Check-in is 3 p.m. or later; Florida State Parks check-out is 1 p.m., and quiet hours run 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The gates stay locked, and the code is released only on arrival day by calling 352-465-8550. Campsites hold up to eight people and two vehicles; pets are welcome on a 6-foot leash but not in the water.
What Makes Camping Near Rainbow Springs Special?
Rainbow Springs State Park, at the headwaters of the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida, protects a first-magnitude spring whose flow is the fourth highest of all Florida springs, with water that averages 72 degrees year-round. The park's campground sits along the Rainbow River at a separate facility a few miles from the headspring and day-use area, so campers drive over to swim at the headspring but can get in the river right from camp.
The campground (18185 SW 94th Street, Dunnellon) is open to registered campers only. All RV sites have water, 20/30/50-amp electric and sewer hookups, and RVs up to 103 feet fit; a dump station is near the RV staging area. Tent-only sites are hike-in sites with water and 110 electric: you park in a designated area nearby and carry your gear a short distance, and tents go on the gravel pad (bring heavy-duty stakes; pitching on the grass is not allowed). Accessible campsites have a concrete pad, picnic table and ground grill near restrooms. Amenities include a campground store, restrooms, showers and laundry, and canoes and kayaks can be rented at the campground store.
Seasonal tubing is a big draw. Day visitors use the tubing entrance (10830 SW 180th Ave. Road), open from the first Saturday in April through the end of September, where the concessionaire, Guest Services, rents tubes and shuttles tubers about 2 miles upstream for a float of about two hours. Tube rental and shuttle prices are not published online; call Guest Services at 833-945-2925. Registered campers have an extra option: they may tube from the campground with their own tubes, and can exit at the state park tube take-out and ride the tram back to camp for a fee (ask at the campground store). The campground swim area and launch is a substantial walk from the campsites; the park can open the tram gate for a quick drop-off closer to the water for guests who need that accommodation. See our Rainbow River tubing guide for the day-use details.
Outside of tubing season, the Rainbow River remains open to paddlers year-round. Canoes and kayaks are rented at the campground store, and canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are also available at the headspring from Guest Services. The Rainbow River is an aquatic preserve, so review the river rules before you go; disposable food and beverage containers are not allowed on you. Fishing is allowed at the campground for registered campers but is prohibited at the headspring. Snorkeling is allowed from the campground once outside the headspring, and state law requires a dive flag.
The park's nature trail winds through oak hammock and sandhill, with river and phosphate-pit overlooks, and the park counts about 7 miles of unpaved trails in all. Rainbow Springs is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail; the park lists woodpeckers, wading birds, hawks, kites, eagles, owls and songbirds among the species regularly seen. Three ornamental waterfalls, built during the park's era as a private tourist attraction, add a character found at no other Florida state park, and the surrounding gardens burst with azalea blooms in early spring.
For campers using Rainbow Springs as a base camp, the broader Marion County region offers additional exploration opportunities. The town of Dunnellon is minutes away with restaurants, shops, and supplies. Other springs in the area, the Withlacoochee State Trail for cycling, and downtown Ocala's dining and cultural scene are all within easy driving distance, making a multi-day camping trip both practical and richly varied. For more options, see camping near Ocala.
What Amenities and Activities Are Available to Campers?
How Are the Campsites Set Up?
RV sites have water, 20/30/50-amp electric and sewer hookups (dump station on-site). Tent-only sites are hike-in with water and 110 electric. Accessible sites have a concrete pad, picnic table and ground grill. The campground has restrooms, showers, laundry and a camp store with kayak/canoe rentals.
What Is Tubing Like From Camp?
Registered campers may tube from the campground with their own tubes and ride the tram back from the state park take-out for a fee. Tube rentals and shuttles run from the tubing entrance, first Saturday in April through September; call Guest Services (833-945-2925) for prices.
Can You Swim at the Spring?
The headspring swimming area, a few miles from camp, has clear 72-degree water year-round and is 10 to 18 feet deep. There is no lifeguard, inflatables are not allowed, and snorkeling is allowed in the buoyed swim area. Campers can also swim from the campground.
Is Rainbow Springs Good for Kayaking?
Paddle the Rainbow River year-round through clear, spring-fed water. Canoes and kayaks are rented at the campground store, and paddle rentals are also available at the headspring. See our Rainbow River kayaking guide.
What Hiking Trails Are Near the Campground?
The park has about 7 miles of unpaved nature trails through oak hammock and sandhill, with river and phosphate pit overlooks. It is on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Three human-made waterfalls and gardens line the paths at the headspring.
Is This Campground Family-Friendly?
Families come for the swimming, paddling and tubing, but plan for safety: the headspring swim area is over 10 feet deep with no lifeguard, so watch children and non-swimmers closely. Tubers must be at least 5, and 5- and 6-year-olds must wear a life jacket. Leashed dogs are welcome in the campground but not in the water.
How Do You Get to Rainbow Springs Campground?
Where Is Rainbow Springs Located?
- Campground entrance: 18185 SW 94th St, Dunnellon, FL 34432
- Headspring (day-use) entrance: 19158 SW 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432
- Tubing entrance (seasonal): 10830 SW 180th Ave. Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432
- Approximately 20 minutes southwest of Ocala
- Located in western Marion County near the Citrus County line
How Can You Make a Reservation?
- Online: reserve.floridastateparks.org, or call 800-326-3521 (TDD 888-433-0287), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
- Booking window: up to 11 months ahead for Florida residents (Florida ID required), 10 months for non-residents
- Campground office: (352) 465-8550 (call during office hours on arrival day for the gate code)
- Main park line: (352) 465-8555
- Stay limits: 14 nights maximum during high demand, 28 nights continuous, 56 nights per six-month period
Where Can Campers Eat Near Rainbow Springs?
The campground store covers basics, and Guest Services runs a seasonal snack concession at the headspring entrance (daily from Memorial Day to the first week of October, then Fridays through Sundays). For a sit-down meal, the closest restaurants are in Dunnellon, a short drive from the campground gate.
- Stumpknockers on the River at 13821 SW State Road 200: a riverfront fish camp restaurant on the Withlacoochee River with seafood and Southern cooking.
- Gruff's Tap & Grille: a Dunnellon restaurant and taproom.
- Grumbles House Antiques & Garden Shop with Sweeties Cafe, in Dunnellon's historic district.
- More ideas in our things to do in Dunnellon guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rainbow Springs Camping
Can you camp at Rainbow Springs State Park?
Yes. Rainbow Springs State Park operates its own campground at 18185 SW 94th Street, Dunnellon, FL 34432, a separate facility along the Rainbow River a few miles from the headspring day-use entrance. RV sites have water, 20/30/50-amp electric and sewer hookups; tent-only sites are hike-in sites with water and 110 electric. The campground has a camp store, restrooms, showers and laundry, and it is open to registered campers only.
How do you reserve a campsite at Rainbow Springs?
Campsites are reserved online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or by calling 800-326-3521 (TDD 888-433-0287) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern. Florida residents can book up to 11 months before arrival and non-residents up to 10 months. The park says the campground is very popular and advises reserving early; any site not reserved or occupied can be rented to walk-in visitors first-come, first-served.
How much does it cost to camp at Rainbow Springs State Park?
Florida State Parks shows the Rainbow Springs nightly rate inside the reservation system when you choose dates. Statewide, campsite prices run from $16 to $42 a night depending on the park, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee per reservation and a $7 nightly utility fee on RV units (tent camping is exempt). The camping fee includes park admission. Florida residents 65 and older and Florida residents with a qualifying disability certificate get 50 percent off the base campsite fee.
What types of camping are available near Rainbow Springs?
Rainbow Springs State Park runs its own campground at a separate entrance (18185 SW 94th Street, Dunnellon), a few miles from the headspring day-use area. RV sites have water, 20/30/50-amp electric and sewer hookups, with a maximum RV length of 103 feet; a dump station is near the RV staging area. Tent-only sites are hike-in sites with water and 110 electric (no parking at the site, and tents must be pitched on the gravel pad). The campground has a camp store, restrooms, showers and laundry. Private campgrounds and RV parks in the Dunnellon area are another option.
Can you walk from the Rainbow Springs campground to the headspring?
No. The campground is a separate facility a few miles from the headspring day-use entrance at 19158 SW 81st Place Road, so campers drive between the two; the park does not describe a walking route or a shuttle between the campground and the headspring. Registered campers can swim, fish and paddle in the Rainbow River directly from the campground instead, and canoes and kayaks are rented at the campground store.
Can you go tubing from the campground at Rainbow Springs?
Registered campers may tube from the campground using their own tubes; only campers are allowed to do this. Campers can leave the river at the state park tube take-out and ride the tram back to the campground for a fee (ask at the campground store or call Guest Services at 833-945-2925). The park’s main tubing entrance, with tube rentals and shuttle, is at 10830 SW 180th Ave. Road and is open from the first Saturday in April through the end of September. Tube rental and shuttle prices are not published; call Guest Services for current fees.
What are the check-in, check-out and gate rules at the Rainbow Springs campground?
Check-in is 3 p.m. or later on the day of arrival, with no early check-in; Florida State Parks campsite check-out is 1 p.m. and quiet hours run 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The campground gates are locked at all times, and the gate code is given out only on the arrival day by calling the campground office at 352-465-8550 during office hours. Campsites hold a maximum of eight people and no more than two vehicles.
Are pets allowed at the Rainbow Springs campground?
Yes. Pets are welcome in the campground on a 6-foot leash, but they are not allowed in swimming areas, buildings, or any water, including the headspring, river and ponds.
Where can campers eat near Rainbow Springs State Park?
The campground store sells basics, but the closest restaurants are in Dunnellon, a short drive from the campground. Options include Stumpknockers on the River, a fish camp restaurant on the Withlacoochee River at 13821 SW State Road 200, and Gruff’s Tap & Grille in Dunnellon. Seasonal food concessions from Guest Services are also available at the headspring entrance.
What is the best time of year to camp near Rainbow Springs?
The best time to camp near Rainbow Springs depends on your priorities. Spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) offer comfortable temperatures and lower crowds. Summer provides access to seasonal tubing but brings heat and higher demand. Winter camping is mild compared to northern states, with daytime highs typically in the 60s and 70s, making it a popular snowbird destination.
What outdoor activities are near the Rainbow Springs campground?
Registered campers can swim, fish and paddle from the campground on the Rainbow River, and canoes and kayaks are rented at the campground store. Fishing is allowed at the campground for registered campers only (it is prohibited at the headspring, an aquatic preserve). The headspring day-use area, a few miles away, has the swimming area, about 7 miles of unpaved nature trails, three human-made waterfalls and gardens. Tubing runs seasonally from the tubing entrance. Nearby Dunnellon offers additional dining and shopping.
What Else Can You Explore Near Rainbow Springs?
Why Trust Our Rainbow Springs Camping Guide?
This guide was checked against Florida State Parks' official Rainbow Springs pages and statewide reservation information on Oct. 11, 2026. Rates, hours and rules can change, so confirm with the park before you go.
Official information: Experiences & Amenities, Entrances, Hours & Fees and Reservation Information (Florida State Parks).
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Acampar en Rainbow Springs State Park
El campamento de Rainbow Springs State Park está en 18185 SW 94th Street, Dunnellon, FL 34432, en el Condado de Marion, a unas millas de la entrada principal del manantial (19158 SW 81st Place Road). Todos los sitios para casas rodantes tienen agua, electricidad de 20, 30 y 50 amperios y conexión de alcantarillado; los sitios solo para carpas tienen agua y electricidad de 110 voltios y se llega a pie desde un estacionamiento cercano. Las reservaciones se hacen en reserve.floridastateparks.org o llamando al 800-326-3521; los residentes de Florida pueden reservar hasta con 11 meses de anticipación y los no residentes hasta con 10 meses, y la tarifa por noche se muestra al reservar. La entrada (check-in) es a partir de las 3 p.m.; las puertas del campamento permanecen cerradas y el código se obtiene llamando al (352) 465-8550 el día de llegada. Los campistas registrados pueden nadar, pescar y remar en el río Rainbow desde el campamento, y la tienda del campamento alquila canoas y kayaks.
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