Rainbow Springs State Park in Florida

Trip Overview

After unloading our two kayaks at a locked gate as instructed by the parking attendant, we parked our vehicle, and then hauled our kayaks to the park entrance. From there, a fairly long, somewhat steep trail winds down the hill to the launching point, taking you past the swimming area at the crystal clear springs. Our wheeled cart came in VERY handy for getting the kayaks to the canoe/kayak launch.

Once launched, we paddled a very short ways back towards the swimming area to see the springs itself, then turned around and paddled towards the K.P Hole Park, a county park, approximately 1 mile away (although it seemed farther than that due to the mid-afternoon heat). We turned around there, paddling back upstream against an easy current to the canoe launch in the state park. We got a snack at the concession stand, and then it was back into the kayaks for a repeat trip to the county park & back again.

No motor boats (other than the sheriff's river patrol boat) are allowed on the river in the area encompassed by the state park, but once past the sign that announced the park boundary, there were numerous fishing boats & pontoon boats sharing the water with the canoes, kayaks and swimmers. From what we could see, past the K.P. Hole Park, the number of motor boats on the water seemed to increase, along with tubers which travel downstream from there to a take-out farther down the river, so we preferred to stay in the less crowded waters.

Accommodations:

A small gift shop & concession stand are at the entrance to the park. The canoe launch appeared well maintained with space to comfortably launch, along with benches for those waiting for others to return. Canoes & sit-on-top kayaks are available for rent by the hour at a concession stand at the canoe launch.

Fees:

The state park's entrance fee was $1.00 per person.

Directions:

North of Dunnellon on Highway 41.