- Rainbow Springs State Park
Infobox_protected_area | name = Rainbow Springs State Park
iucn_category = V
caption =
locator_x = 226
locator_y = 148
location =Marion County, Florida , USA
nearest_city = Dunnellon
lat_degrees =
lat_minutes =
lat_seconds =
lat_direction = N
long_degrees =
long_minutes =
long_seconds =
long_direction = W
area = 1,000 acres (4 km²)
established =
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visitation_year =
governing_body =Florida Department of Environmental Protection Rainbow Springs State Park is a 1,000 acre (4 km²) Florida State Park located on U.S. 41, three miles north of
Dunnellon, Florida .Geography
The
Rainbow River flows fromRainbow Springs into the Withlacoochee River.Ecology
Among the wildlife of the park are gray
squirrel s,otter ,turtle s,alligator s and many types of birds. Among the birds are songbirds,hummingbird s, red-shoulder hawks, and swallowtail kites, as well asosprey ,barred owl s, and various water birds. There is a 2-mile nature trail.Recreational activities and amenities
Activities include
swim ming,snorkeling ,canoe ing andkayak ing, and wildlife viewing. Amenities include a nature trail, a full service campground, a picnic area with pavilions, canoes and kayak rentals, and gardens, as well as access to the Rainbow River. There are also waterfalls andphosphate pits from former open mining activity. There used to be a smallzoo complex in the gardens. Some of the facilities still exist but are no longer used. At the entrance there is a small visitor center, shop, snack bar and restrooms, located in an elevated position above Rainbow Springs with a good view along the Rainbow River.Hours
References and external links
* [http://www.floridastateparks.org/rainbowsprings/default.cfm Rainbow Springs State Park] at [http://www.floridastateparks.org Florida State Parks]
* [http://www.abfla.com/parks/RainbowSprings/rainbowsprings.html Rainbow Springs State Park] at [http://www.abfla.com Absolutely Florida]
* [http://areas.wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaID=FLSPRS&CU_ID=1 Rainbow Springs State Park] at [http://www.wildernet.com Wildernet]
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