Rainbow Springs is Florida's third largest spring and has been a State Park since 1995. The park is divided into two sections. The spring and formal gardens are the highlight of the park. The camping area is about six miles away by car or 1.5 miles by canoe.
The main entrance to the Park is on US 41, just south of State Road 40, west of Ocala. The springhead is great for swimming and has a large surrounding area for picnicking. On summer weekends, the park can be quite crowded. There is a snackbar with outdoor seating that offers a great view of the springs. The formal gardens were constructed when the park was a privately owned tourist attraction and include lush landscaping, scenic waterfalls, and best of all, lots of shade.
The Campground is separately located downstream on the Rainbow River. The campground has some shaded lots but most are in a large open area. The campground has a pool and an outfitter shop that rents kayaks and canoes.
Nearby attractions include Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, which is about thirty minutes southwest. We visited Rainbow Springs in May 2005 and camped nearby at Encore RV Park - Crystal River.
