Rainbow Springs State Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Rainbow Springs State Park
iucn_category = V

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caption =
locator_x = 226
locator_y = 148
location = Marion County, Florida, USA
nearest_city = Dunnellon
lat_degrees =
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lat_direction = N
long_degrees =
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long_seconds =
long_direction = W
area = 1,000 acres ^{(4 km²)}
established =
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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 from Rainbow Springs into the Withlacoochee River.

Ecology

Among the wildlife of the park are gray squirrels, otter, turtles, alligators and many types of birds. Among the birds are songbirds, hummingbirds, red-shoulder hawks, and swallowtail kites, as well as osprey, barred owls, and various water birds. There is a 2-mile nature trail.

Recreational activities and amenities

Activities include swimming, snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking, 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 and phosphate pits from former open mining activity. There used to be a small zoo 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]