Time: Park is open at 8 a.m. – Sunset
Date: 365 Days/Yr.
Location: Rainbow River State Park
Cost: See below
Info: Website
What’s Doing?
Don’t know what to do with the family this weekend? Try a fun day of tubing down the Rainbow River, swimming, picnicing. State Park Entrance and Parking Fees at the tuber entrance: $5.00 per vehicle, with up to 8 people in a vehicle.
– Tubing Fee (including the Tram Ride) in addition to the above entrance fee:
– $10.00 plus tax per person includes tube rental.
– $8.00 per person if you have your own tube, the tube must be less than 60” in diameter.
The State Park’s new Tubing Entrance to the park is located on the east side of river. From here you can rent a tube, ride the tram up river, and then float back to your point of origin, not needing a second vehicle. The float trip is approximately 2 hours long, depending on wind. After floating down the river, you can show your receipt for free admission to the headsprings area of the park at the US 41 entrance for a day of picnicking, nature study, swimming and family fun.
NOTE: If you use the State’s new tubing facility and decide you would like a longer day on the river, once you finish the 2-hour trip, you exit the river and take the tram back up river for another 2-hour float, BUT you will need to pay for the second tubing trip.
Address:
Rainbow River State Park Tubing Entrance
10830 S.W. 180th Ave. Rd.
Dunnellon, FL 34432
(352) 465-8555
*****
Time: Summer: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Winter: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Date: Daily
Location: Marion County Park (known as The K.P. Hole) is located about 1.5 miles down river from the Rainbow Springs State Park, and offers limited public facilities for swimming, cooking out, tub rentals, canoe rentals, dive flag rentals, restroom facilities, etc.
Cost: Daily entry fee: $3 per person, children under 5 years old are FREE
Info: Website
For Longer Tubing Trips
For a longer, 4-hour float on the river, you may opt to use the K. P. Hole. If you leave from the K. P. Hole, the tubing trip will be about 4 hours to the State Road 484 bridge take out. However, The K. P. Hole has very limited parking. Once the parking lot is full, the park closes until parking spaces open up. If you park on the street or on private property you risk being ticketed and your vehicle towed. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the parking lots are usually full by 10 a.m. Also be aware that if the weather is bad, you will be stuck on the river in a lightning storm. The first 2 hours of the float is on the best part of the river: the water is clearer, cleaner and the scenery is much better — and this is the part of the river you will float on if you use the States new tubing entrance.
So You Know: Pets & alcohol are not allowed at the K.P. Hole, although service animals are always welcome.
Address:
Marion County Park – The K.P. Hole
9435 SW 190th Avenue
Dunnellon, FL 34432
(352) 489-3055
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