Rainbow Springs State Park
May 31, 2009
Rainbow River provides a four hour float by tube - from K.P. Hole to
Dunnellon.
By kayak, it's a leisurely cruise downstream and an interesting paddle upstream,
with a lot of wildlife to stop and look at.
The Rainbow River is located in the southwest corner of Marion County Florida, about 20 miles southwest of Ocala, and 100 miles north of Tampa Bay. It is formed by a first magnitude spring that is ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge. In addition to the springs located at the headwaters, there are many smaller springs that discharge from numerous caves, rock crevices, and sand boils the entire length of the river. The Rainbow River is a gently winding river that is 5.7 miles long and merges with the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon Florida. The headwaters is the anchor for the Rainbow Springs State Park. This first magnitude spring is not one large vent but is numerous vents that issue 400 - 600 million gallons of crystalline water every day. The Rainbow Springs State Park is a popular destination to swim, snorkel, canoe, picnic, or stroll on the walking paths to enjoy the many plants and animals that abound here.
The park had $1 entrance fee. And a very long walk down the hill to the put-in.
Rainbow River Overlook.
The crystal clear Rainbow River.
Was definitely worth the trip and the extra effort.
A cormorant dries its wings.
And this guy looks like he's smiling and posing for the camera.
We would see the same alligator; upstream and downstream.
A young gator and a turtle share a nap on a floating island.
I like this photo.
Susan leaves the office behind.
Judy, Ed and Jay make it downstream.
Big white house on the river.
Possible club house.
Turtle composition.
A nice shady lunch spot.
Two sheeps head.
I would kayak in between these trees both downstream and upstream.
I think that these are called Cornus flowers.
Cypress Trees.
Gator crossing.
Great Blue Heron.
Another turtle.
Different view of the same alligator.
This is not a pool.
Two cormorants swim for their lunch.
Just in case you forgot which river you were on.
The spring in all its glory.
Nature at its finest.
Ed heads back upstream.
The water temperature was a refreshing 72 degrees.
It really looks fakes, doesn't it?
A Florida postcard.
One last look.
What a guy - Ed saves me from pulling a 47 pound boat back up the steep incline.
Rainbow Springs is a registered natural landmark.
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© 2009 Bonnie L. Hammer. All rights
reserved.