The Riveted Roost
  • Home
  • Adventures
  • Contact

Go with the flow at Rainbow Springs

3/30/2015

0 Comments

 
We were craving some crystal clear spring water and Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Fla. was at the top of our list.
 
We didn’t have an entire weekend available to camp, so we took a day trip to the park to paddle and swim. We got up super early and headed north so we could get into the park as soon as it opened. We’ve heard it can get crowded and we wanted to launch our paddleboards before the wildlife got scared away.
Picture
​We were rewarded for our early efforts. Steam rose from the water and we were the first people into the park. We shoved off from the canoe launch and paddled with the current, mesmerized by how clear and deep the water was. 
Picture
We quickly learned how the Rainbow River got its name – a variety of multicolored vegetation floats on and below the surface, creating an array of color and texture. Not far from the launch, we were greeted by two bald eagles. One swooped right over our heads and landed in a nearby oak tree
Picture
​We enjoyed a lovely trip down the river, only encountering a few other paddlers and tubers. After a couple miles, we turned back upstream, paddling against the current to return to the headspring. It was a nice workout and we were rewarded with a swim in the crystal clear, 72-degree spring water.
Picture
Afterwards, we scoped out the campground, a separate entrance six miles away by car and a short float downriver, as we knew we would love to return for a longer stay. After driving around both camp loops, we decided site 51 and 6-11 would be ideal sites to return to.
 
If you go:
Rainbow Springs State Park
Headspring/day use area: 19158 S.W. 81st Place Rd., Dunnellon, Florida 34432; 352-465-8555. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, tubing, fishing, canoes/kayaks including gear available for rent, hiking/nature trail through gardens, wildlife viewing, picnicking.
 
Campground: 18185 S.W. 94th St., Dunnellon, about 1.5 miles downstream from the main headspring and day use area. All sites have water and electric (20, 30, and 50 amp) with sewer hook-ups. Maximum RV length: 103 feet. Dump station, recreation hall, showers, restrooms, laundry and playground. Pets allowed in campground; not permitted in swimming areas or buildings. Advance reservations available through ReserveAmerica.
 
Follow our adventures on Twitter @RivetedRoost, or find us on Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram. We're posting lots of photos to our social media sites in real time, so follow along!
 
All photos © Kelly Beard, The Riveted Roost
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About

    Follow Kelly and her dog Remington on their adventures with a 1960 Airstream Overlander, The Riveted Roost.

    Adventures

    March 2019
    September 2016
    April 2016
    November 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Topics

    All
    Airstream
    California
    Colorado
    Florida
    Kitchen
    Louisiana
    National Park
    New Orleans
    North Carolina
    Recipe
    Restoration

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.