It’s that point of yr once more when the decision of a chilly spring on a scorching sizzling day is greater than any true Floridian can resist.
Image your self (and a gaggle of your besties), floating, kayaking, or paddling down a picture-perfect pristine physique of water. The Rainbow River, a real first-magnitude spring-fed “lazy river” is brimming with some 600 million gallons of crisp 72-degree water day by day and offers all of the candy summertime feels. It’s no secret that Jax Maggie & Co. love “float” and it’s our opinion that one of the best ways to expertise this river is by way of ole internal tube. Leap in, sit again, calm down, dip your toes within the water, and let the present take you away. Anticipate stunning views of cypress-lined banks, kitschy river houses, majestic blue herons, otters, turtles, and perhaps even a gator or two. While you get sizzling, leap into one of many stunning blue holes alongside the best way. It’s the proper solution to spend a summer season day.
Begin your journey at KP Gap Park in Dunnellon. Purpose to reach early as parking is proscribed and infrequently fills to capability on the weekends. The fee for a day on the river is $30 per individual and consists of your entry payment, tube rental, and return shuttle service. Kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards are additionally obtainable at an hourly price. Bear in mind this can be a lazy river, so in case you are tubing plan to spend roughly 4 hours within the water. In order for you a shorter float (an hour and a half) head down the street to the tubing entrance of Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon. Leases and return tram service are additionally obtainable at this web site. Tubers have to be at the least 5 years previous, in response to park guidelines. For the proper expertise skip Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (Tremendous crowded, massive teams, and many others.) and go for a weekday. You possibly can thank me later.
After you tame the river head to the legendary good eats/watering gap generally known as Swampy’s. Belief me, there is no such thing as a higher place to refuel and chill after a day of enjoyable within the solar. Positioned on the banks of the Rainbow River, Swampy’s affords a surprisingly scrumptious number of Cajun fare, fish tacos, fried shrimp, gator bites, burgers, and ice-cold beer. Get pleasure from your meals on the out of doors deck or at one of many picnic tables to benefit from the fabulous waterfront view. I prefer to cheer on the tubers floating by. When you see Swampy’ s you already know that your trip is coming to an finish.
The Rainbow River is about two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Jacksonville, so you’ll want to stand up early to begin the enjoyable. If you wish to spend greater than a day exploring the river otherwise you wish to keep away from an early wakeup name, try Rainbow River Bungalows positioned minutes from the KP Gap. Not fairly tenting and never fairly glamping, the Bungalows are literally 22 tiny houses that present a quiet place to relaxation your head, share a meal, and calm down. The property is pet-friendly and consists of grills, fireplace pits, kayak and paddle board leases and, better of all, your keep permits free entry to the river.
This time of yr, I all the time discover myself craving a bit of the “previous Florida” enjoyable that I grew up with. You already know the place the fish are all the time leaping, and the residing actually is simple. If you happen to’re like me and want a respite from the standard theme park insanity and throngs of vacationers, deal with your self to a Rainbow River journey. It’s really a magical place.
— Maggie