Rainbow River Tubing

Easy parking when we arrived at 9am on a Saturday in August. It was a cloudy day so maybe it kept crowds away. When we left at 11:30am there was still parking available. You leaves everything in your car and walk to check in building. Pay $ 15 for team and tube. Even if u bring ur own tube you it $ 15. The team takes you a mile up the river where you walk down a ramp
And enter the water. It is chilly but you get used to it. You can see thru to the bottom. Nothing is allowed on river unless in a reusable container. Float trip takes 2 hours. You get out at another ramp and return tube and then walk to ur car. You can do all of this with no shoes. I had tevas on so I didn’t have to worry about heat of roadway.
TIPS: leaves car key with checkin person $ 2
— bring a rope or bungee to tie tubes together so u don’t get separated
— leave everything in your car
–bring nag a bungee to tie flip flops to tube handle or u can wear flops the whole route.

I have been visiting Rainbow River every summer since I was a kid. Whether it was with my family, youth group, or just a bunch of friends, we always gathered to go tubing down the river annually. If you start at K.P. Hole, there is a nominal $ 3.00 fee to get in or you can pay $ 20.00 for park entry, a tube rental, and a tram ride so you can get back to the entrance once you’re done. You can also bring your own tubes or floats, but you’ll still have to pay $ 12.00 for a shuttle ride back to your car.
The spring water is more than a bit chilly, but after a few minutes you get used to it. Not to mention, the summer sun will keep you warm enough for a good balance! You will pass plenty of interesting river houses and the scenery is so serene. The water is crystal clear and the depth varies at different points. At certain times you will be able to see a lot of interesting fish and others you will feel the sea grass brushing against you. I’m always told that the trip down river takes about four hours, but it seems longer each time. I also seem to get stuck in one of our infamous afternoon summer showers almost every time I go. That’s a little scary, especially when there’s lightning, but it’s usually just a light drizzle and we start early enough that we’re almost finished by the time the rain starts.
One of the best parts is that you can float a cooler down with you, since you will be on the water for most of the day. It is important to stay hydrated and the only stipulation is that you cannot bring glass containers. My biggest recommendation is to BRING SUNSCREEN!!! No matter how many times I reapply, I always get a horrible sunburn when I go tubing! A rope is also a good idea if you want your group to stay together.
Rainbow Springs is a great place for a day trip or even to camp at for a weekend. It’s a fun event whether you’re boating, diving, or renting kayaks, canoes, and tubes!

Loved tubing down Rainbow River. You pay $ 15 each and they shuttle you up River to the campground to go out on a tube. Takes about 2 hrs to float back to your car. Water is nice and cool, very clean. Kids loved it. Can’t wait to do it again!

Tubing down Rainbow River is a cheap, relaxing and peaceful way to spend 2 to 4 hours. For $ 20 you get parking, shuttle, and tube rental. The water is clean and clear where you can see the river grass at the bottom. You can spend your trip down the river relaxing in the sun or swimming. There didn’t seem to be many fish when I went but there were a number of cormorants swimming in the river looking for lunch. It was entertaining seeing the birds randomly pop their heads out of the water. As with any outdoor adventure in Florida, you need sunscreen and even then you are likely to get sun burned. Every member my group got burnt even though we applied sunscreen. Overall, this is a great way to spend time with friends and family.

Tremendous time with the friends! Clear water tubes and friends what could go wrong ! Staff very professional clean bathroom and park area very affordable and I just loved it ! I will be back

I love love lovveee the river

Once you get to the park you pay 5 $ per car (up to six people), park and then get out to get in line to pay for a tube (11 $) We arrived around noon and the line was pretty long. They only had one lady working so the process to get a tube was about 15 – 20 minutes.
After paying they give you a number for the number of tubes you purchased then you wait for the tram to take you to the beginning of the river. The wait was 30 minutes.
Upon arrival of the tram we all rushed to get on. They give a few rules and explain where to get off river, the guy took the numbers we were given (which he had a count going of how many were needed) and then we went off on a 2 mile ride where they dropped us off at the tube pick up. There was a about 60 people on this tram, and at the tube drop off there was maybe 10 tubes waiting, which resulted in the rest of us waiting for another round of tubes to be dropped off. (that took about 20 or so minutes as well, but what I don’t understand is why do a count of how many tubes are needed and then you don’t have them available??) At this point everyone around was getting a little antsy because we have the process so far has was entirely to long.
The tubes finally showed up and they backed in the trailer to a group of people who are really ready to go. This was a terrible idea and no workers around to take control of the situation. Everyone rushed the trailer to get a tube and kids we getting trampled and people started fighting (best described as a situation you would see on black friday for a cheap TV). It was quite sad.
We managed to get a tube for each person in our group, but walking away I noticed that some of the others waiting may not get one. It was about a .5 mile walk to the river. We were so excited to get this adventure going, even tho it was already a hot mess.
I absolutely loved the actual floating down the river… the scenery was gorgeous and the water temp was so refreshing, super clear you could see right to the bottom. Enjoyed every minute of it.
I would have given 5 stars but there was more negatives than positives.
If you go, bring some twine or ropes so you can keep your group together. No alcohol or disposable items allowed. They will hold your keys for a 2 $ charge. They have dressing rooms so you can change before or after your trip.

We went to Rainbow River last year. We had a lot of fun but had some issues — we were waiting at the Headsprings thinking we were where the tubing is and then got to the tubing and had to wait an hour to get in because the line up was so long.
This year we also had a lot of fun but more issues than last year :(
Just a heads up — they are a lot more strict now and do not allow lines up the road for the tubing site. We got there at 10AM and we were turned around. The tubing site was not allowing anyone else in due to parking being at capacity. We went back to the tubing site around 1PM and waited almost 30 minutes. Only reason we got in was because we got lucky and when we were pulling up next, someone was leaving the park. But I do have to add that the water… beautiful! The tubing is so much fun. Do not bother bringing your own tube, they won’t allow it. They also do not allow coolers on the river. If you are only going to the Headsprings — still arrive early and bring your noodles or pay $ 3 onsite for tiny ones (an adult will need 2 of these noodles to stay afloat).

Tubing Rainbow River is one of my fav summer activities, especially on a really hot day! The water is really cold so it’s a bit of a shock when you first get in but is always so refreshing as you float down the river.
You get to see wildlife like birds, fish, turtles in their natural habitat and people who live along the river are friendly. One dock usually has a hose going so you can get sprayed as you go by. Be on the look out for the tree (with steps to climb up) to jump from… If you dare! (I have not!)
We always bring snorkel gear for more exploring, food to snack on and rope/​carabiners to link our tubes together so we don’t float away from each other. Coolers and anything disposable are not allowed. Don’t bring anything that you’re not willing to lose, we have said good-​bye to sunglasses, hats and who knows what else. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Rainbow River is a lot of fun to float down in tubes. Although I would recommend that you bring your own floaty, and it be something along the lines of a floating chair. More comfy on the neck.
There is a 2 hour float and a 4 hour float. The 2 hour float is in the state park, and it tends to fill up quickly. I’ve only done it once and it was not long enough. However, if you’ve got kids, it’s probably just right. But you need to be there early, and I don’t mean before noon. I’m saying get there when the park opens.
The 4 hour float is great and it’s the one I do every time. You drop in at KP Hole and float at an average of about 1 mph. There are a couple of places to pay and get taken up river and I recommend the one right next to Swampy’s Bar & Grill. I can’t remember the name of the company, but it’s the easiest for the 4 hour float because you end up where your car is. Everyone else has to wait for buses on the other side of the river to be taken to their cars.
There is camping, but I’ve never done it. Friends who have say it is nice.

Wonderful Experience, just make sure you bring a hat and lots of sunscreen :)
The tour is slow and nice you just need to be mentally prepared for it. Some snacks and drinks in a floating cooler won’t hurt you and would make your experience better.
Also remember to stop by the bathroom before we jump on the river. Nice thing to do. The only thing that I didn’t like is the fact that boats with engines running will pass right at you… Dangerous thing. So always pay attention.

Parking is not fun on the weekends at this place. We got to Rainbow River and 10 am and it was already fulll. We had to wait an 1 hour ½ to park. Thankfully they had enough tubes for everyone… The water is a constant 72 degrees. Tubing down the river was fun! It took about an 1 hour and a half! Make sure u bring drinks and snacks!