Despite Florida Rainbow Springs State Park It is only an hour and a half northwest OrlandoIt looks like a completely different planet. While the city is alive with Entertainment gardensTourism tourists, and loud night life, the garden is a quiet haven for those looking to communicate with nature. Quiet preparation is a hidden jewel that falls from the radar of most travelers, but it has a lot to offer to those who want to search for it.
The garden was a shelter WildlifeUnique animals, and human visitors for thousands of years. Its clear water – which is one of the largest natural springs in the country – is held 72 steadfast degrees throughout the year. This makes it a fresh place to escape The center of Florida Heat, just as the original Americans did for hundreds of years.
It surrounds a 1,000 -acre park surrounded by a lush forest. Visitors can wander along the paths of nature, dipped in cold water, rowing boat or kayak boats, and wildlife in the river and around them. There is a lot to see and do it Rainbow Springs State ParkWhich makes it a great destination for travelers looking to stay away from the typical tourist traps in the region.
Here’s what you need to know before you go.
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Things to do
It is not surprising, many common activities revolve inside the government rainbow garden around its virgin water. But even if you don’t feel wet, there are still a lot of things that can be seen and do. Here are some options for visitors.
Go to rowing or blasphemy with rowing
In addition to being incredibly clear, natural garden springs are also very soft and calm. This makes it a great place Go to get a gloryEven for full beginners. Visitors can slip in a boat or Kayak boatsExplore this unique natural setting and often faces wildlife along the way. And if you don’t have your own boat, the rents are available near the Headsprings launch area.
Floating on an internal tube
For those who do not feel roaming in the kayak boat or boats, the tubes on the natural springs are an alternative option. The park provides the tube rental on the site, allowing visitors to get A more prepared experience On the water. The gentle current of the rainbow river will push you at a comfortable pace perfect for the scene absorbing.
Swimming/diving
Since the natural springs maintain a fixed temperature of 72 degrees throughout the year, it is a common place to go to it swimming and Diving. In addition, the water is always clear, which enhances the experiment well. The depth of the water usually ranges between 10-18 feet, so swimmers are encouraged to wear survival jackets or use pasta for their safety. Breakped beams, tubes and other equipment are not allowed.
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Raise the path of nature
The park contains a 2.5 -mile natural path that allows visitors to extend their legs before or after it drowns in the river. The road is relatively soft, paved, and a good hardening, and provides great views of the rainbow, as well as three human waterfalls. Even the sub -road takes the streetstone in an old phosphate hole – a mineral abundance in the area and was commercially mined there.
Wildlife
The enthusiastic visitors to the rainbow springs may have discovered some of them Unique wildlife During their time in the garden. Turtle, fox and ruin can often see the refreshing water and filled with the sun. The park is also home to A group of bird typesIncluding the great bicon, green, green, sapphire, album album, album, and dozens. Until 40 species of butterflies that live in the area, which brings flashes of colors to the lush preparation.
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The best height and paths
Springs St. State Park only Long -distance walking trailAlthough it provides some short side ways for visitors to explore it. The 2.5 miles episode starts from the visitor center and is an easy picnic, with a few hills circulating for a trade. The main path is also paved, making it accessible to all visitors, including moving chairs. Some side tracks – including one to the phosphate hole – are not paved, although they are still very available.
Although the path is not long or hard, it is definitely charming. The path wanders through a garden in which Magnolia trees and schants grow and are often covered with an umbrella of oak trees. Tourists will find several picturesque sites overlooking the rainbow, and Birds I will love the opportunity to discover new species. The corridor passes even with three waterfalls-rare in a relatively charge Florida.
Even when you stop taking tourist attractions, most visitors can walk on the entire road in less than an hour. The path is a good mark, easy to follow, and very calm on a week. You can get somewhat crowded on weekends, so plan to visit you accordingly.
Ocala/Marion County, FL Tourism
Camps
the Rainbow Springs Camp Garand Park It is located outside the same park, just a few miles from the main Headspring area and daytime use. It includes 60 individual sites for both tent and RV campingMany of them offer picturesque views of the river. The pets are welcomed in the camps, although they should remain on a wheel at all times and prohibited from buildings and swimming areas.
Each camp site includes RVS water and sewage connections, along with electricity, including 20, 30 and 50 shores. The amenities on the site include stores, toilets, shower and washbasin. Boats and boats can also be rented there, and RVERS can reach a discharge station in the building.
For security reasons, the camp has a gate that is still closed at all times. Visitors who hold the camp site reservation can obtain a portal icon by calling the camp office on the number 352-465-8550 between 10:00 am and 5:30 pm per day. The code changes periodically, so it may be necessary to get a new one during your stay.
Rainbow springs Camp It can be crowded on weekends and during the busy summer travel season. Those who plan to stay there are encouraged to make a reservation before they visit for a long time. It can be reservations Made online Or by calling 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287. The cost of camping in the garden is $ 30 per night.
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stay
nothing Hotels Or the hostel inside the government rainbow garden. Visitors who are not planning to camp will find a set of accommodations in the town of Al -Qari Tin And a city Ocala. Each urban areas contain a variety of national hotels chains, B & BS, and Home rentsWith a greater choice to choose from.
Visitors will find accommodation options to suit any budget, with most of them at a short distance from the garden. Some unique and selective places to stay in the region include Mitilic streetsthe Country CalleAnd Horsemanship.
Google Maps
How to get there
Rainbow Springs State Park is only five miles outside Dunnellon, off the American Highway 41 N. along SW 81st PL RD. Marks of the road, which makes it easy to find the main entrance.
Visitors who arrive from Ocala FL-40 W will take to US Highway 41 S, and turn into SW 81ST PL RD. The drive length is about 22 miles and takes about half an hour to reach the garden.
Gunzville It is about an hour drive by Rainbow Springs. Travelers can take FL-121 south on the US Highway 41 before moving to SW 81st RD.
Visitors who make the park from Orlando will travel on FL-408 W to the FL-50 W before moving to the Toll Toll Florida road. Stay on this highway to Ocala before leaving FL-40 W to 41s and at the end SW 81ST RD. The trip covers approximately 100 miles and takes about two hours to complete it.
Keep in mind that the garden has three entrances. The main entrance is found outside the 81st center, but there is another entrance from the camp located on the eastern side of the river in 181815 SW 94th St. When moving to the garden, be sure to choose the right option.
The largest airports in the region are Genzville regional airport and Orland International. There are also many microcredit airports in the region, but a car rental and driving from one of the large access points will be more economical.
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accessibility
Rainbow Springs get high marks to offer a variety of accessible amenities. Garden facilities, including the visitor center, toilets, and parking lots, can be accessed on a wheelchair and ADA compatibility. The camp also contains camps – along with the camps store, shower and washing – that provide up to the wheelchairs. In addition, all excitement facilities, concession parking, ornamental gardens, RunwayExplanatory exhibitions are also accessible.
Nature Trail, which is 2.5 miles, has a soft, well -maintained surface that is well built Ada instructions It was common. For this reason, the road can be uneven and difficult to maneuver with a wheelchair in some areas. Rolling Hills also offers some sharp slopes that may also be difficult to move. Although it is not completely accessible to the disabled visitors, it is not an easy path to follow up. The path includes a number of shaded seats that make good places to take a break when needed.
Some side tracks are not paved and can become muddy, which makes them easier through a wheelchair or a powered by energy. Water access can also be a challenge, especially in the specific swimming area, which contains a ladder but lacks the lifting of the pond. This limits the options of the disabled visitors who are looking to take Decline in natural springs.
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Tips for visiting you
- Rainbow Springs State Park receives a nominal entry fee of $ 2. Tube, boat, kayak rents additional cost.
- Because the garden is protected for wildlife, hunting It is not allowed in the day use area in Headsprings. The registered camps can fish in the camp area, however, provided that they have a Florida fishing license.
- While there is limited Drink a light meal The options at the visitor center in the park, there are no restaurants in the building. There is a concession position near the entrance to Headsprings that offers sandwiches and snacks.
- However, the nearby Dunnelon has many restaurants to choose from Swampy’s Bar & Grill and Blue Gatur Among the local favorites.
- There are discovered picnic tables and anecdotal available for visitors inside the garden. Bring your food and drinks to enjoy lunch in a great outdoor place.
- The garden can be crowded on weekends, especially in the summer. But during the week, it tends to be relatively calm. Monday and Tuesday can be a good time to visit.
- Some archaeologists believe that humans were swimming in natural springs for more than 10,000 years. Consider that you take diving yourself.
- Divorce is allowed in the covered swimming area only while it is in Headsprings. Visitors can also dive into the camps or a boat outside the HeadSprings elements. A Diving Required in those areas.
- The park contains four suites available for special occasions, such as family reunification or work retreats. These sites include picnic tables, grills, electricity and water. There is also a runway in the camp.