Rainbow Springs State Park
Dunnellon, Florida
Swim
(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
Fees: Yes. The entrance fee into the park is $1.00 per person and the park is open from 8AM til sundown.
Directions
From Dunnellon, Florida
- Head north on US-41 N/N Williams St toward N Williams StContinue to follow US-41 N(2.2 mi)
- Turn right onto SW 99th Pl (1.1 mi)
- Turn left onto SW 190th Avenue RdDestination will be on the right(0.6 mi)
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Crystal River
Crystal River, Florida
16.8 miles SWCrystal River, on Florida's Nature Coast about ninety minutes north of Tampa, is the swimming destination famous around the world as the only place you can legally swim with wild manatees. The town...
Swim
The Devil's Punchbowl
Homosassa, Florida
27.2 miles SA 100-foot-wide, 25-foot-deep turquoise spring pool on the Chassahowitzka River with coral tunnels to explore and unique freshwater-saltwater wildlife — parking is $1.50 per car.
Swim
Houseboat Springs
Sugarmill Woods, Florida
27.3 miles SHouseboat Spring is one of the spring pools of the Chassahowitzka River on Florida's Nature Coast near Homosassa, reachable only by water. The spring opens into a wide circular basin more than twenty...
Swim
Blue Spring and The Crack
Sugarmill Woods, Florida
27.6 miles STurquoise pools and shallow clear river on the Chassahowitzka, popular for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming — bald eagles overhead and manatees in winter. Note: alligators are present.
Kayak, Swim
Manatee Springs State Park
Chiefland, Florida
43.1 miles NWCrystal-clear Manatee Springs flows into the Suwannee River, offering swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving in one of Florida's most beautiful spring-fed parks.
Swim
Juniper Springs Recreation Area
Astor
43.8 miles EA Civilian Conservation Corps spring pool in the Ocala National Forest that holds 72 degrees year round over a sand and limestone bottom, with a historic millhouse waterwheel, a seven mile canoe run, and 79 campsites. Day use is $14.50 per person.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Salt Springs, Florida
45.7 miles NEBig mineral spring in the Ocala National Forest with a walled swim area over the boils, a 160-site campground, marina and a run to Lake George.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Fanning Springs State Park
Fanning Springs, Florida
45.9 miles NWA beautiful, clear spring with a diving platform inside a Florida state park — cool, refreshing water for just $1 per person.
SwimNearby Campsites
Juniper Springs Recreation Area
Astor
43.8 miles EA Civilian Conservation Corps spring pool in the Ocala National Forest that holds 72 degrees year round over a sand and limestone bottom, with a historic millhouse waterwheel, a seven mile canoe run, and 79 campsites. Day use is $14.50 per person.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Salt Springs, Florida
45.7 miles NEBig mineral spring in the Ocala National Forest with a walled swim area over the boils, a 160-site campground, marina and a run to Lake George.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim