The Rainbow River
The Rainbow River is located in Dunnellon, Florida, United States, in the southwest corner of Marion County, about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Ocala, 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Orlando and 100 miles (160 km) north of the Tampa Bay area. It is formed by a first-magnitude spring (Rainbow Springs) that is ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge.
Rainbow River Conservation, Inc.
The Rainbow River Conservation's mission is to protect and preserve the water quality, the natural beauty, the riverbed, and the flood plains of the Rainbow River. They pursue this mission through education, conservation, stewardship and advocacy.
Rainbow Springs State Park
Archaeological evidence indicates that people have been using this spring for nearly 10,000 years. Rainbow Springs is Florida's fourth largest spring and, from the 1930s through the 1970s, was the site of a popular, privately-owned attraction. The Rainbow River is popular for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the headsprings.
Friends of Rainbow Springs State Park
The Friends of Rainbow Springs State Park work to assist in the Restoration, Interpretation, and Preservation of Rainbow Springs State Park. Become a member to show support or join to volunteer and get involved!
KP Hole Park
The K.P. Hole is one of many public parks in Marion County Florida that highlights the natural beauty of the area. The park is set up in such a way that you can get parked and unload before you go by the cashier to pay your three dollar entry fee. (the K.P. Hole is a fee per use park).
City of Dunnellon
Dunnellon was founded in 1887. In 1889, phosphate was discovered in the area, leading to an expansion of the area until the early 1910s. The original mining took place in and around the Rainbow River (formerly called 'Blue Run'), using the river's natural flow to transport phosphates.
Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations
Plan on doing a little fishing while you're in town? Make sure you visit Florida Fish and Wildlife's website and get aquatinted with all the rules and regulations you'll need to know before heading out on the water!
Popular Day Trips and local Attractions
Swim With the Manatees - 20 minutes away
www.riverventures.com
There are several outfits in Crystal River that offer excursions to swim with manatees. Ranked #1 on Trip Advisor, we recommend River Ventures. Check out their website for booking and more details. Three-hour encounters start at around $64.
Glass Bottom Boat Rental
www.floridaglassbottomboats.com
You can rent your own glass bottom boat to cruise around the Rainbow River. Way cool!
Airboat Rides
www.captbobsairboattours.com
Looking for something wild? Give Capt. Bob Jewett a call for a custom airboat tour on the wonderful Withlacoochee River. Departs out of the Angler’s Resort right here in Dunnellon.
Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum - 25 minutes away
www.garlits.com
Just off Interstate 75 in Ocala, Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum chronicles the history of the sport of drag racing. Some 90 racing cars can be seen in the Drag Race building, while another 50 unique, collector vehicles are in the Antique Car building.
Silver Springs State Park - 40 minutes away
www.silversprings.com
Silver Springs State Park has been a natural landmark since the 1870s. As Florida’s first tourist attraction and one of the largest artesian springs in the world, the park quickly became renowned for the Glass Bottom Boat tours.
Cedar Key - about 1 hour away
www.cedarkey.org
Cedar Key is a small island community located three miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. Rich in small town flavor, it is said Cedar Key is the island community where time stands still. Perfect for a day trip to explore the town’s several restaurants, shops and boutiques.
Area Dining
Gruff's Tap and Grille (Downtown at the Dinner Bell Motel)
www.gruffsgrill.com
12084 S Williams St. - Phone: (352) 465-2881
Gruff’s has earned its reputation for great food, exceptional service and warm, friendly atmosphere. Nothing too exotic here, just pretty solid standard pub/sport’s bar fare.
Stumpknockers (About a 20 min. drive)
stumpknockersontheriver.com
13821 SW Highway 200 - Phone: (352) 854-2288
A short ride away but well worth it. Local seafood cooked with a southern flair and served picnic-table style
Blue Gator Tiki Bar and Restaurant (Downtown on the river)
www.blue-gator.com
12189 S Williams St. - Phone: (352) 465-1635
Downtown on the waterfront near where the tubers land, The Blue Gator offers riverfront dining and nightly live entertainment on weekends.
Swampy’s
swampys.restaurant
19773 E Pennsylvania Ave. - Phone: (352) 547-4777
Dine directly over the Rainbow River on Swampy’s restaurant deck. If you arrive early enough, you may observe the family of otters that swim, eat, and live at their river-bank.
Front Porch Restaurant & Pie Shop (Just south of Downtown)
www.frontporchpieshop.com
U S Hwy 41 S, Dunnellon - Phone: (352) 489-4708
The service is friendly, the atmosphere is welcoming, the “sides” are listed each day on the blackboard, and some truly amazing pies are made from scratch each and every morning.
Riverside Inn
www.izaakwaltonlodge.com
6301 Riverside Drive, Yankeetown, FL 34498 - Phone: (352) 447-2595
The Riverside Inn in Yankeetown Florida is a signature landmark. The menu has everything from burgers and sandwiches to steaks and seafood.
Golf Adventures
Juliette Falls - 15 minutes away
www.juliettefalls.com
Par-72 John Sanford designed course offers rolling fairways and crisply manicured greens.
Citrus Springs Golf & Country Club - 15 minutes away
www.citrusspringsgolf.com
The layout and rolling terrain of the course is reminiscent of North Carolina courses.
Stone Creek Golf Club - 35 minutes away
www.stonecreekgolfocala.com
The 18-hole Terry-Doss designed championship golf course showcases panoramic vistas of all areas of the course.
Plantation Golf and Spa - 45 minutes away
www.plantationgolfandspa.com
27 holes of competitive and challenging golf originally designed by highly regarded course architect Mark Mahannah.
Eagle Ridge Golf Club - 50 minutes away
www.playeagleridgegolf.com
In one of Central Florida`s premiere master-planned communities, Spruce Creek, Eagle Ridge Golf Club is a golfer`s paradise.
World Woods - 60 minutes away
www.worldwoods.com
Two top 100 Golf Courses in one place! - 36 holes - Tom Fazio’s Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks Golf Courses.