Rainbow Springs State Park Campground

If you enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or just floating down river on a tube in addition to camping, this is your spot. We have stayed at sites 50, which is a long pull through site, and at site 18 which was quite private. We enjoyed both locations. Both times we rented canoes or kayaks and paddled upstream to the headspring. Such a gorgeous river. To see all of the campsites visit https://www.youtube.com/@MapleCamps Make sure to have your gate code at the ready, the gate is unmanned, and it's right off the main road as soon as you turn in. There is only room for one Rv/travel trailer between the gate and the road, so there is nowhere to pull over to the side. Be ready. Not far away there are also some more cycling trails and hiking trails. So plenty to do in the area when you want to wanter away from your campsite.  Here's a blog about Rainbow Springs Campground: https://maplecamps.wixsite.com/blog

If you’re tent camping in the tent-only walk-in sites, site 60 is definitely the most private (farthest from the lot but still a short walk in on a paved path). Bathrooms are two single stall/shower combos, but never too crowded. Campground is good for paddling, especially for renting from the concessions (they have single and tandem kayaks, SUP, and canoes). It’s a drive and a separate entrance to get to the head springs area of the park, though there is a small roped off swim area by the boat ramp. We went before tubing opens (April 1 each year), so the Rainbow was less crowded and stunningly clear and emerald.

This secret little spot is the perfect escape into the jungle of Florida. You will see wildlife and enjoy being in a remote spot in nature. Great hiking trail!

CG away from main state park. Private campers only swim area is nice. Limited Cell reception.

Me and my husband love going here at least once a month. Nicest staff, most gorgeous scenery! Water is blue and clear. Saw plenty of birds and turtles while kayaking. Great rate for two kayaks. Jumped out a few times to cool off (: Planning a camping trip for my 21st (: !! Can’t wait!

This is the first campsite we ever camped in with our then travel trailer. We had an amazing experience; great to reconnect with nature! The spring is stunning and we enjoyed a two hour tube ride down the spring. The water is cold but it didn’t bother us much. They have an entrance to the spring right by the campground and once you exit, the tram brings you ack to the campground. We brought our own tubes but you can rent their as well.

Campsites are very private although close together, a lot of thick vegetation around, grey water dump stations in each of the campsites. The water is pristine, crystal clear and the colors and formations are just breathtaking. There’s kayak/ canoe rentals, and tubing as well; and plenty of divers, the upstream current is not joke, so be mindful of that; if you bring your own kayak/ paddleboard you’ll need a cart too, it’s a pretty far walk from where you can park your car to where you can load your vessel in the water. There’s a road to the dock/ swimming area at the campground but it’s only open for staff, which was the only upsetting downside, because it could just simply and easily be used by campers. They had one wooden cart available and one broken, not the easiest thing to haul or load in and out. Not much at the store and firewood can only be purchased with cash. It’s Florida, so have your mosquito repellent ready at all times.

Lovely state park, springs and river. The state park is split on two - with the springs and day use area on one side and the campground on another side with private property in between. Rainbow Springs is spectacularly beautiful but the only access to it from the campground is kayaking or canoeing up the river - or driving to the day use area. The campground itself is fine, some variability between sites with some sites open with little privacy and others more secluded with vegetation around them. There are very few hiking trails at the campground, but we did find some small fire roads to walk around nearby (unmarked but you reach them via a path off the larger campground loop). The river gets crowded with kayaks, canoes, and boats on weekends. The springs are gorgeous. We met many nice people and ended up sharing some delicious meals with other campers - wonderful people that we’d love to meet again. We will definitely return - next time with our own kayaks!

Rangers were very friendly Space was very good . Scenery is beautiful. Bathrooms could have been cleaner and not such full dumpsters would have nice . Totally full as your trying to put your garbage in. Overall very nice and accommodating ✅

Had an amazing time! The day park has an amazing and beautiful walk through gardens and waterfalls. There is a good sized gift shop and a concession store with extremely well priced hot food and snacks. The water is absolutely gorgeous but is deep right off the latter. There is kayaking and SOP rentals on-site. The separate campgrounds (10 min drive) Have a general store, playground, and it’s own swim/boat launch. Campsites are pretty secluded with lots of vegetation. Stayed at 19 (more secluded) and 36 (less but right near bathrooms).

We had campsite 22 and the sites had shrubbery all around and large enough for our truck and 12 tent trailer side we took her kayaks down to the river a new cart is a good idea.

Everything is so clean. There are many activities to do, tubing, cayaking or stay In The spring. To go to the sprring, be there before 8, because once the park reach capacity, they close all day. Have on mind that the tubing area closes at 5. After 5, if you go tubing, you won't have any place to get off the river

One of my favorite places in Florida. Beautiful 72° springfed river. Take a 4hour tube ride down a crystal clear spring fed river. Full of wildlife, fun, families, snorkeling, little to no paddling since your going down river, they will pick you an your tube up to bring you back to your vehicle, and just enjoying the perfect Florida weather even in November. Definitely worth the visit. You'll be back for sure. Please read rules in preparation for your day trip. Wildlife and preservation is very important here.

A plunge in the cool spring water is the perfect end to a long, hot day!  Check ahead with the rangers to see if the swimming area is open.  The campsites are amidst native plants, birds and butterflies.  Our site had a nice balance of privacy and views of strolling campers and offered a picnic table and grill to enjoy camp meals.

Great time. Relaxing day tubing down the river.

My family and inlaws enjoyed a week here, fishing and tubing in the springs, the water is so clear. The campsites are okay if you don't mind seeing you neighbors do everything. Not a lot of trees on the campground only near the springs. Bathrooms are clean, they have a play ground and pool as well.

Nice, big sites, many full hookup, stays booked year round and can be difficult to reserve. Not for you if you are looking for peace and quiet

We had full hookup and a beautiful site. It's a short walk to the springs for tubing. You can bring your own or rent a tube. They have a shuttle to bring you back. Bathrooms were clean. Campground was beautiful

Our spot was surrounded by trees for privacy which was nice. The tubing facility and the place to enter the river was very near and they had pick up from the end of the river. Bathrooms were clean and staff was friendly and

Small campgrounds, cant touch not even inch of grass. Ranger’s rude and acting over reacting. Harassing ppl around special one woman and i wish i remember her name. She walked site by site and harassing campers about everything. Surprise she didnt walk into tent see if we didnt killed ant or mosquito. Water close by not pretty looking dirty. U cant park by campground so travel little light.

This is an awesome campground with lots of things to do.  There are 2 loops.  One is mostly RVs and one is tents.  The sites are pretty big and most are well separated.  Bathhouse is fine.  The actual spring is quite a drive from the campground.   But definitely worth the visit.  It’s the site of a previous private venture that included a zoo.  So you can still wander around the area on paths and see the old cages and other features.  The garden is actually very nice.   We also opted to rent kayaks and paddle up to the springs one day.  The Rainbow river current is pretty strong.   So the trip back was much faster.   It’s also pretty cool to snorkel in the river.  State law requires that you display a diver buoy while snorkeling.  Again watch that current.   

During the summer they have float trips down the river and a tram back to the campground.  We rode bike down the tram road off season which was nice.  Lots of wildlife.  We heard coyotes and there are a fair amount of wild boar.

We loved finally getting to go! We’ve had our camping trip booked for months and it was worth it. The campground is in a separate location from the spring head. With our camping pass we were able to get into the springs with it as it covers both. We went early to the spring so there weren’t many people there which was nice. It’s chilly, but the swimming was perfect. Later we launched our kayaks from the campground. The River is full of Tibet’s and boaters, but we saw lots of wildlife while out on the water. Later we went back to the spring head to explore. Many people were swimming and cooking out on the large lawn. Just have to plan your trip around the type of person you are. We loved this state park.

We had a great time at this park. We stayed in a pull through site and there was plenty of room for our truck and rig. Although it’s not a huge park it was very organized with lush sites for privacy. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. They offer their campers the ability to rent canoes and kayaks to launch off their private dock, this really saves you from dealing with crowds during the peak season. Great place to stay we loved it.

This was my first trip with my travel trailer. It was easy to get to. Roads were paved. The pull through site I had was wide. Everyone was friendly and helpful

stayed twice here. first was a walk up site 1. and learned my lesson, now i reserve so i can get a good site. bathrooms are great. has a nice swimming area in the campground area for campers and tubers entrance is here so great spot to people watch. definitely doing this one yearly.

Love this campground though it can ve hard to get in between the snowbords and tubing season.

Some spots have creek access with good fishing in the back.