Rainbow Springs is a large spring and is the headwater for the Rainbow River. Can swim and snorkel (tube also but only at the campground) in the river. A beautiful park (used to be a private tourist attraction) and well worth a trip to visit this first magnitude spring and the Rainbow River, which is crystal clear over it's entire length. Great hike through the park also. Make sure your vehicle is locked and valuables secured. LINK TO STATE PARKS WEB SITE.

(The following information from Mark A. Cook:)"Canoe rentals are now available at the Park (a concession). Photo identification is required. This is at the headspring. Available are canoes that seat up to four people, or single person kayaks. If one rents a canoe, they can paddle downstream past the boundary of the S. P.. Once out of the state park, one can swim and snorkel anywhere in the river. Although there is a private beach immediately below the state park, the river is public domain. It is the land access that is private, open only to residents of the Village of Rainbow Springs [a complex of subdivisions] and their guests. The one thing I would recommend is using caution not to get too close to the bank on the undeveloped side of the river, nor entering the lagoon at the private beach. My reason is that I have seen an 8 foot long alligator there on occasion... I have not seen this gator up at the swimming area at the headspring thankfully."Courtesy of swimmingholes.org