Rainbow Springs State Park: Best Time to Visit and Swimming Tips

Rainbow Springs State Park is one of the most massive springs in the country and a great place to visit if you are in Florida. Ultimately, it is the fourth-largest in the state and an adventure for anyone who visits. Rainbow Springs State Park is a place that should be on your list if you are in the area.

But there are important things you should know about the park before you go. Moreover, there are regulations and laws to understand before venturing into the springs.

We’re here to showcase Rainbow Springs State Park, outline the best time to visit, and give some tips for swimming in the springs. Additionally, we will give a brief history of the park from its inception to what it is today.

History of Rainbow Springs State Park

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the caretaker of Rainbow Springs State Park. Furthermore, they have been the group that has ensured it has remained beautiful despite its age. The springs have been around since approximately 1889 when someone discovered rock phosphate near them. Thus, the resulting discovery allowed a mining boom to begin.

The mining boom then allowed the creation of waterfalls from discarded soil. From that point on, business owners realized people would love to see these new natural wonders, and it caused them to create a tourist attraction.

There was even an aviary with all sorts of birds in cages and other animal enclosures that stood until the mid-70s. Eventually, the tourist attraction closed, and it remained vacant for 17 years. But in 1990, the state of Florida purchased the land and decided to operate it as a state park, which continues today.

Best Time to Visit Rainbow Springs State Park

You can ideally visit this state park anytime throughout the year. However, to get the full experience of all the natural wonders, you should go in February. When you visit Rainbow Springs in February, you will experience beautiful weather and see the Azaleas in full bloom. It essentially becomes a magical place when you visit the springs in February.

The park gets really popular during the summertime. Additionally, there are fewer entrances to the area during the winter season. It’s up to you to decide if you would like to visit Rainbow Springs State Park when it’s fully open and busy or when there is restricted access with slightly fewer people.

How Much Does It Cost to Go to Rainbow Springs State Park?

Rainbow Springs can get busy, and it’s important to plan ahead. Ultimately, the park opens at 8 a.m. every day and is available daily through the Headsprings entrance. But there are some entrances with restrictions. For instance, the tubing entrance is only open seven days a week from Memorial Day until Labor Day. When Labor Day comes around, the entrance opens on weekends until the end of the month, when it closes for the winter.

It costs $2 to enter through the Headsprings entrance, while children who are six or younger get in for free. However, those who want to enter through the Tubing entrance are advised to call ahead for information about fees.

Fun Swimming Tips

The waters in Rainbow Springs State Park are always 72 degrees. Thus, it is the perfect climate for swimming, and you don’t need a wetsuit. It also ranges between 12-18 feet in average depth. You are allowed to swim in the water. However, you are not allowed to bring floaties, rafts, or tubes.

If you choose to swim here, monitor your children and ensure that they are not in danger. Overall, the water can get deep, and there are no lifeguards available.

Fun Activities to Do In the Water

If you do enjoy going into the water, there are plenty of fun activities to do, even if you are not allowed to tube. First, you can go paddling. If you are not into paddling and want to explore other aquatic activities, snorkeling might be more up your alley. Just make sure you are allowed to do this, as there are designated areas where you are allowed to snorkel, with some spots being off-limits. Additionally, the state of Florida requires a flag for anyone who snorkels.

You are allowed to explore some paddling and canoeing. Significantly, you will need to check for rental availabilities, but it should not be difficult as they are available throughout the park daily. Always understand the rules and regulations before you paddle or canoe into the water. Moreover, always mind your surroundings in the water.

People also enjoy fishing in the springs. Curiously, there are plenty of options to choose from and an abundance of fish to find.

Fun Activities to Do Outside the Water

Despite the regulations, there are many fun activities to do at Rainbow Springs State Park. If you do not want to swim, you can camp around the park. There is a major campground that is available to rent space from. You can make state reservations at the Florida State Park.

People also enjoy Geo-seeking. Ultimately, this is the ultimate adventure game where you are using global positioning devices to locate mystery items. You use the GPS to locate missing items. Overall, some will be relatively simple, while others will be slightly more challenging. The Operation Recreation Geotour offers a fun adventure and one that will help you embrace your sense of adventure.

The park has these rules for safety reasons. Additionally, there is a Florida Bird Trail to explore for those who enjoy bird watching. You will likely see hawks and owls. Some of the fun exploration activities include the Cypress Creek Natural Area and the Lafayette Heritage Trail Park. Always check to see which areas are open, as some trails have temporarily closed due to recent hurricanes.

If you are just looking for a peaceful area to run or walk, there are numerous trails to choose from. As always, ensure that you know your way around and are mindful of the wildlife as well as other people around.

People also use Rainbow Springs State Park for picnicking. Ultimately, there are a variety of tables available for anyone to use to have a wonderful picnic.

Aquatic Preserve at Rainbow Springs State Park

The Rainbow Springs State Park Aquatic Preserve is a highlight that many will enjoy when venturing into the area. Amazingly, the preserve surrounds the entire span of the Rainbow River. The river spans 5.7 miles south at the head of the river until it flows onto the Withlachoochee River.

The reserve joins forces with the Southwest Florida Water Management District along with the Florida Fish Wildlife & Conservation Commission to ensure that the water quality is up to par. The groups manage the water quality frequently and are always ensuring that it is safe for anyone to enjoy. Subsequently, they also ensure that the quality is good for wildlife.

Wildlife You Will See at Rainbow Springs State Park

There is a vast amount of wildlife in the springs and in the river. First, you will see some largemouth bass in the water. You will also likely see the gopher tortoise and the pine snake around or in the lake. Naturally, you may encounter an alligator at Rainbow River. It is best to take precautions when swimming near alligators or any other potentially dangerous animals.

Conclusion

Rainbow Springs State Park is a wonderful place to explore if you are in Florida. Overall, you cannot go wrong with any of the various activities and adventures the park allows. As long as you follow guidelines and understand the regulations, you and your family will have the best trip ever at the fourth-largest spring in the state.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Xianghong Garrison/ via Getty Images