Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida: Visitor Guide
A first-magnitude spring with the fourth-highest flow in Florida, at the head of the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, about 22 miles southwest of downtown Ocala. Day-use visitors at the main entrance now need a reservation.
By the Only In Ocala team · Facts checked against Florida State Parks on October 21, 2026
What is Rainbow Springs State Park?
Rainbow Springs State Park is a Florida state park in Dunnellon, Marion County, about 22 miles southwest of downtown Ocala. It is built around a first-magnitude spring, the head of the Rainbow River, where the water averages 72 degrees year-round. The headsprings entrance is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day; entry is $5 per vehicle, and since April 29, 2026, every day-use visitor needs a reservation. Visitors swim and snorkel at the headsprings, walk the gardens past three human-made waterfalls, paddle the river, tube it from April through September, hike about 7 miles of trails and camp at a separate riverside campground.
Rainbow Springs State Park at a glance
| Location | Dunnellon, Marion County, Florida; about 22 miles (roughly 40 minutes by car) southwest of downtown Ocala |
|---|---|
| Main (headsprings) entrance | 19158 SW 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432 · 352-465-8555 |
| Hours | 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year (closes to all visitors when it reaches capacity) |
| Entry fee | $5 per vehicle of 2 to 8 people, $4 single-occupant vehicle, $2 pedestrian or bicycle |
| Reservation | Required for every day-use visitor at the headsprings since April 29, 2026; book up to 60 days ahead |
| Water | Averages 72 degrees year-round; swimming area 10 to 18 feet deep, no lifeguard |
| Tubing | Separate entrance, April through September only; closed October to March |
| Camping | Separate riverside campground, registered campers only · 352-465-8550 |
| Dogs | Allowed on a 6-foot leash; never in the water or buildings |
| Managed by | Florida State Parks (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) |
- -Reservation required: since April 29, 2026, everyone entering the headsprings (main) entrance needs a day-use reservation, booked up to 60 days ahead at reserve.floridastateparks.org.
- -Entry fee: $5 per vehicle (2 to 8 people), $4 single-occupant vehicle, $2 pedestrian or bicycle. Tube rental and shuttle are extra (Guest Services, 833-945-2925).
- -Three entrances: Headsprings (swimming, gardens, waterfalls), Tubing (seasonal, April to September), and Campground (registered campers only).
- -Parking lot renovation Sept. 9, 2026 to Feb. 4, 2027: limited parking, so plan your arrival.
Visiting Information: Hours, Fees and Reservations
Rainbow Springs State Park has three separate entrances several miles apart. Pick the right one before you drive: the headsprings for swimming, the tubing entrance for floating the river, and the campground for overnight stays. For more on prices and passes, see our Rainbow Springs tickets and fees guide.
Admission and fees
- $5 per vehicle of 2 to 8 people
- $4 single-occupant vehicle
- $2 per pedestrian or bicycle
- Tube rental and shuttle: extra; call Guest Services at 833-945-2925 for current prices (the shuttle costs the same if you bring your own tube)
- Four covered pavilions at the headsprings with picnic tables, grills, electric and water, first come, first served
- Camping: rates shown when you book at reserve.floridastateparks.org
Hours
- Headsprings: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year, unless closed at capacity
- Tubing, Memorial Day to Labor Day: daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; last tram 4:30 p.m.
- Tubing, first Saturday in April to Memorial Day, and Labor Day to end of September: weekends only, same hours
- Tubing, October to March: closed
- Campground: check-in 3 p.m. or later; the office is open daily until 5:30 p.m.; call it on your arrival day for the gate code
The tubing hours above are from the park's Hours & Fees page; its Experiences page lists tubing until 3:30 p.m., and the two pages also give different opening times for the campground office (10 a.m. and 11 a.m.). Call Guest Services at 833-945-2925 (tubing) or the campground at 352-465-8550 to confirm on the day.
The 2026 day-use reservation requirement
Starting April 29, 2026, all visitors to the headsprings (main) entrance need a day-use reservation, including Florida State Parks annual pass holders, pedestrians and cyclists. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance, and same-day reservations are available until the daily limit is reached. Each day needs its own reservation. The entry fee is paid online when you book; annual pass holders choose “Annual Passholder” as the payment option and show their pass at the gate.
Bring your reservation receipt, printed or on your phone. Registered campers don't need a separate day-use reservation: the camping reservation covers both the campground and the headsprings. Tubers can use a same-day tubing receipt, subject to space.
The park also says that when the headsprings reaches capacity it closes to all visitors, and cars may not wait in line in the park or on nearby roads.
How to book a day-use reservation
- Set up an account at reserve.floridastateparks.org if you don't have one.
- Open Rainbow Springs State Park and choose “Rainbow Springs Day-Use Vehicle Entry” (or the pedestrian/bicycle entry if you are walking or cycling in).
- Pick your date, up to 60 days out. Each day needs its own reservation.
- Pay the park entry fee online; there is no extra reservation fee. Annual pass holders choose “Annual Passholder” as the payment option.
- Bring the receipt on your phone or printed, plus your annual pass if you used one, to 19158 SW 81st Place Road.
According to the park's day-use reservation FAQ, the entry fee is refunded if you cancel, but no-shows are not refunded. A reservation covers one entry at any time during park hours; re-entry after leaving depends on space. A headsprings reservation confirmation can also be shown at the tubing entrance instead of paying the park entry fee there. Annual passes can be bought in person at the ranger station Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to sunset, except holidays, or online.
Book at reserve.floridastateparks.orgRainbow Springs State Park Map and Entrances
The park publishes a printable map of the headsprings area, trails and facilities. Download the official Rainbow Springs State Park map (PDF).
Headsprings day-use entrance
19158 SW 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432 · 352-465-8555
Swimming, snorkeling, gardens and waterfalls, the gift shop, the historic attraction walk, canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and picnic areas. Reservation required.
Tubing entrance
10830 SW 180th Ave. Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432 · 833-945-2925
Seasonal, run by the concessionaire Guest Services Inc. Pay the park entrance fee, park, then rent a tube and ride the shuttle upstream.
Campground entrance
18185 SW 94th St., Dunnellon, FL 34432 · 352-465-8550
Registered campers only. The gates are locked; call on your arrival day for the gate code.
Getting there and parking: all three entrances are in Dunnellon, southwest of Ocala; the headsprings entrance is about 22 miles from downtown Ocala, roughly a 40-minute drive according to Google Maps. Use the street address of the entrance you need, since they are miles apart. At the headsprings, picnic gear has to be carried up the long entrance walkway and through the tollbooth, and paddlers launching their own canoe or kayak carry it about 1,800 feet from the parking area to the launch. The headsprings parking lot is being renovated from September 9, 2026, to February 4, 2027, with limited parking during the work.
The Spring, the River and the Old Attraction
Rainbow Springs is a first-magnitude spring, and Florida State Parks says its flow is the fourth highest of all the springs in Florida. The water comes from rain falling across a 770-square-mile area, filtered through soil and rock before it rises at the spring. The spring run is the Rainbow River, which flows on to the Withlacoochee River; our Rainbow River guide covers every public access point along it. The park manager describes the park as 1,472 acres.
People have come here for a long time: pottery and tools show Native Americans visiting the spring more than 10,000 years ago, and mastodon and mammoth fossils have been found at the site.
In 1889, rock phosphate was found around the springs, starting a mining boom around Dunnellon. When the mines were exhausted, the land became a private tourist attraction, and the huge piles of soil left by the miners became the base for tropical-style waterfalls. The waterfalls, rainbow fountain, entrance walk, gift shop, dining terrace and the remains of the aviary and animal cages date from the 1960s. Bypassed by Interstate 75 and facing competition from Walt Disney World, the attraction closed in 1973. The State of Florida acquired the property in 1990, and the waterfalls still run today.
Things to Do at Rainbow Springs
Swimming
The natural swimming area at the headsprings averages 10 to 18 feet deep and about 72 degrees all year. There is no lifeguard, so watch children and non-swimmers closely. Life jackets and noodles are allowed; tubes, rafts, balls and other inflatables are not. Swimmers must stay in the marked swimming area. More in our Rainbow Springs swimming guide.
Snorkeling
At the headsprings, snorkeling is allowed only inside the buoyed swimming area, where you can see turtles, fish and beds of aquatic grass. Outside the headsprings you can snorkel from the campground or from a boat; state law requires a dive flag for snorkelers.
Tubing the Rainbow River
Tubing isn't allowed at the headsprings; it runs from the separate tubing entrance, April through September. Guest Services shuttles you 2 miles upstream and you float back to your car in about two hours. Tubers must be at least 5. See our Rainbow River tubing guide.
Kayaking and canoeing
Canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available from the concessionaire at the headsprings. You can launch your own boat there too, after a 1,800-foot carry from the parking area. The river is an aquatic preserve, and disposable food and drink containers are not allowed on the water. See Rainbow River kayaking.
Camping
The campground sits on the Rainbow River at its own entrance. RV sites have water, 20/30/50-amp electric and sewer hookups (maximum RV length 103 feet); tent-only sites are short hike-in sites with water and 110 electric. There are showers, laundry and a camp store that rents canoes and kayaks. Details in our Rainbow Springs campground guide.
Hiking, picnics and birding
About 7 miles of unpaved trails run through oak hammock and sandhill, including the Phosphate Loop and Sandhill trails and a nature trail of roughly 2.5 miles from the visitor center with river and phosphate-pit overlooks. Picnic tables and grills are first come, first served. The park is on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail; woodpeckers, wading birds, hawks, songbirds and owls are common.
Waterfalls and Gardens
Paved walkways wind through shady gardens of azaleas, oaks and magnolias past the park's three human-made waterfalls, with benches along the way. In early spring the headsprings area is known for its pink, purple and white azalea blooms.
The paths were built before ADA guidelines and are steep and uneven in places, so wear good shoes. A wheelchair is available at the gift shop, first come, first served, with a driver's license held as a deposit.
What to Know Before You Go
What to bring
- Your day-use reservation receipt (and annual pass, if you used one)
- Swimsuit, towel and a life jacket or noodle for weaker swimmers (no inflatables)
- Reusable drink containers if you'll be on the river, where disposables are prohibited
- A picnic you can carry in: personal chairs, tables and shade canopies are allowed, tents are not
- A dive flag if you plan to snorkel outside the headsprings swimming area
Rules worth knowing
- No fishing at the headsprings day-use area (it's an aquatic preserve); registered campers can fish at the campground
- Dogs on a 6-foot leash, never in the water. See our dog-friendly guide
- Food concessions run daily from Memorial Day to the first week of October, then Fridays to Sundays only
- Annual pass sales at the park are at the ranger station on weekdays only, not holidays; passes are also sold online
- There is no vehicle access to the river inside the park
Best Time to Visit Rainbow Springs
| Season | What's open | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Early spring | Headsprings, gardens, trails, paddling; tubing starts weekends from the first Saturday in April | The park says the headsprings area “bursts” with pink, purple and white azalea blooms |
| Memorial Day to Labor Day | Everything, with tubing and food concessions daily | The headsprings often reaches capacity on hot weekends and summer holidays; book your day-use reservation early |
| September | Tubing on weekends only, weather permitting | Call 833-945-2925 to confirm tubing is open |
| October to March | Headsprings swimming, gardens, waterfalls, trails, paddling and camping; tubing closed | Food concession Fridays to Sundays only after the first week of October; the spring stays about 72 degrees |
Any time of year, a weekday is the easiest visit. Until February 4, 2027, the headsprings parking lot is being renovated and parking is limited, so arrive early in the day.
Accessibility at Rainbow Springs State Park
- The park lists its ornamental gardens, picnic facilities with tables and grills, the concession, and campsites with a concrete pad, picnic table, ground grill and nearby restrooms as accessible amenities.
- The garden walkways are brick, concrete and asphalt, but they were built before ADA guidelines and are steep and uneven in places.
- A wheelchair can be borrowed at the gift shop, first come, first served, with a driver's license held as a deposit.
- At the campground, sites 5, 15, 17, 29, 32, 38, 52 and 53 are ADA sites for RVs and trailers (free-standing tents only); ADA tent-only sites where tents can be staked are also available, so ask the campground. ADA restrooms are available.
- The campground swim area and launch is a long walk from the campsites. Guests who need a reasonable accommodation can ask Guest Services to open the tram gate for a quick drop-off (no parking, 15-minute window).
- Service animals are welcome where visitors normally go, but no animals are allowed in the swimming areas.
Rainbow Springs State Park FAQ
How much does it cost to get into Rainbow Springs State Park?
Park entry is $5 per vehicle of 2 to 8 people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 per person for pedestrians and cyclists. Since April 29, 2026, the entry fee at the headsprings (main) entrance is paid online when you make your day-use reservation. Tube rental and the tubing shuttle are extra and are run by the concessionaire, Guest Services Inc.; call 833-945-2925 for current tubing prices.
Do I need a reservation to visit Rainbow Springs State Park?
Yes, for the headsprings (main) entrance. Since April 29, 2026, every visitor entering at 19158 SW 81st Place Road needs a day-use reservation, including Florida State Parks annual pass holders, pedestrians and cyclists. Reservations open up to 60 days ahead at reserve.floridastateparks.org, and same-day reservations are available until the daily limit is reached. Registered campers use their camping reservation instead, and tubers can use a same-day tubing receipt, subject to space. There is no extra fee for the reservation itself; you pay the normal entry fee online when you book.
Can I get a refund or re-enter with a Rainbow Springs day-use reservation?
Florida State Parks says the day-use entry fee is refunded if you cancel the reservation, but no-shows are not refunded. A reservation covers one entry at any time during park hours; if you leave, getting back in depends on available space and is not guaranteed.
When is tubing season at Rainbow Springs?
The tubing entrance (10830 SW 180th Ave. Road, Dunnellon) opens weekends only from the first Saturday in April to Memorial Day, daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends only from Labor Day to the end of September. It is closed October through March. The shuttle takes you 2 miles upstream and the float back takes about two hours. Tubers must be at least 5 years old, and 5- and 6-year-olds must wear a life jacket. Call 833-945-2925 to confirm hours, as the tubing operation can close for weather.
Are dogs allowed at Rainbow Springs State Park?
Yes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash at all times, including in the campground. Dogs may not go in the water anywhere in the park, including the headsprings, swim areas, the river and ponds, and they are not allowed in buildings.
How deep is the swimming area at Rainbow Springs?
The natural swimming area at the headsprings averages 10 to 18 feet deep, and the water averages 72 degrees year-round. There is no lifeguard on duty. Life jackets and swim noodles are allowed, but tubes, rafts, balls and other inflatables are not allowed at the headsprings.
Can you camp at Rainbow Springs State Park?
Yes. The campground has its own entrance at 18185 SW 94th St., Dunnellon, a few miles from the headsprings, along the Rainbow River. RV sites have water, electric (20, 30 and 50 amp) and sewer hookups, and tent-only sites are short hike-in sites with water and 110 electric. Check-in is 3 p.m. or later. The gates are locked, so call the campground office at 352-465-8550 on your arrival day for the gate code. Book at reserve.floridastateparks.org or 800-326-3521.
What are the waterfalls at Rainbow Springs?
The park has three human-made waterfalls. They were built on piles of soil left by phosphate mining, when the springs became a private tourist attraction. The attraction closed in 1973, the state bought the property in 1990, and the waterfalls still run today alongside the restored ornamental gardens.
What town is Rainbow Springs State Park in?
Rainbow Springs State Park is in Dunnellon, in Marion County, southwest of Ocala. The headsprings entrance is at 19158 SW 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432.
How far is Rainbow Springs State Park from Ocala?
The headsprings entrance is about 22 miles southwest of downtown Ocala, roughly a 40-minute drive according to Google Maps. The tubing entrance and the campground are separate addresses in Dunnellon, so set your GPS to the entrance you need.
Is Rainbow Springs State Park open in winter?
Yes. The headsprings entrance is open 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year, and the spring averages 72 degrees all year, so swimming, the gardens, paddling and the trails are available in winter. The tubing entrance is closed October through March, and from early October the food concession runs Fridays to Sundays only.
When is the best time to visit Rainbow Springs?
The park says the headsprings often fills on hot summer weekends and summer holidays, and when it reaches capacity it closes to all visitors until space opens, so a weekday visit or an early reservation is the safest plan. Tubing runs only from April through September. In early spring the azaleas around the headsprings bloom pink, purple and white.
More Rainbow Springs Guides
Tickets and Fees
Entrance fees, reservations and annual passes.
Tubing the Rainbow River
Season, shuttle and where to get on the river.
Swimming
The headspring swimming area and its rules.
Campground
Sites, hookups, check-in and the gate code.
Kayaking
Paddling the Rainbow River.
Dog-Friendly Guide
Where dogs can go and the leash rules.
Nearby: things to do in Dunnellon, Blue Run of Dunnellon, Silver Springs State Park, and our full list of springs near Ocala.
Official information and sources
Florida State Parks: Rainbow Springs State Park, Hours & Fees, Entrances to the Park, Experiences & Amenities, Springs of Rainbow Springs, History of Rainbow Springs, Manager's Message and the park map (PDF). Reservation details: Florida State Parks day-use reservation FAQ for Rainbow Springs and the park's reservation page, including its campground ADA-site alert. Driving distance from downtown Ocala: Google Maps. Fees and hours can change; check the park's site before you go.
AI tools helped gather the sources and draft this page; each fact was checked against those sources before publishing. Questions or corrections? Contact our team or read our editorial guidelines.
Rainbow Springs State Park (Dunnellon)
Rainbow Springs State Park es un parque estatal de Florida en Dunnellon, Condado de Marion, a unas 22 millas al suroeste del centro de Ocala, donde el agua del manantial se mantiene en unos 72 grados todo el año. El parque tiene tres entradas. La entrada principal (Headsprings), en 19158 SW 81st Place Road, abre de 8 a.m. a la puesta del sol todos los días; la entrada cuesta $5 por vehículo (de 2 a 8 personas), $4 por vehículo con un solo ocupante y $2 por peatón o ciclista. Desde el 29 de abril de 2026, todos los visitantes de esta entrada, incluidos los titulares del pase anual, peatones y ciclistas, necesitan una reservación, que se puede hacer con hasta 60 días de anticipación en reserve.floridastateparks.org. El tubing es de temporada (abril a septiembre) en la entrada de 10830 SW 180th Ave. Road; para precios de flotadores y transporte, llame a Guest Services al 833-945-2925. El campamento está en 18185 SW 94th St. (352-465-8550).
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