The Rainbow River

Class: Flat water 1-2 mph

Put-in: KP Hole
Take-Out: KP Hole where we put-in.

Directions: North of Dunnellon on SR 41 go east on SW 99 PL make left on 190 AV and proceed until you come to KP hole Recreation Park on the right side of road.....Map of Area

Parking: Paved inside of park, plus parking on outside on dirt lot.

Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables, concession stand.

Park Fee: $3.00 per person

Restrictions: You are not allowed to carry anything disposable on this river. All foods and snacks must be removed from their original packaging and placed into non-disposable containers such as Tupperware or similar. You may not carry plastic water bottles. They must be non-disposable containers such as sport drink bottles or thermos type.


On this paddle you can leisurely enjoy the river. Heading north will take you to the headwaters of the spring which is about 2 miles upriver from put-in. You can also paddle downriver heading to the south.

The Rainbow River is a first magnitude spring feed river, that pumps about 400-600 gallons a minute. Its' headwaters is located outside Dunnellon, Fl and flows through the city where it merges with the Withlocoochee River. It first became popular in the late 1880's when hard rock phosphate was discovered in the area. In the 1930's the springs was developed as a tourist attraction, on of the performers at that time who was there was Roy Rogers. It came under new management in the 60's and florished until Disney World opened. The Springs attraction closed in 1974. The state of Florida purchased the original area that was used for the attraction in 1990. The average temperature of the water is 73-74 degrees year round.

The Rainbow River is a popular recreational destination for for kayaking, canoeing, tubing, snorkling and diving. It's about 4.7 miles from SR484 upstream to the headwaters. It has become a little on the crowded side in the past few years.

There is still wildlife and plants that you can photograph. Like the cormorants nesting in the trees.