Rainbow River Tubing / Aqua Weekend
July 12 - 14, 2025 (Saturday - Monday)
Join the Gators for a delightful weekend trip with tubing down the Rainbow River.
$20 Activity Fee
Includes Saturday Happy Hour at 4:00 PM at the Gator Den
Gator Den
12189 S. William St.
Dunellon, FL 34432
Seats 15 people maximum
We will be carpooling at 8:00 AM Sunday morning July 13th for the tubing.
We will meet to carpool to the tubing site at 8:00 AM on Sunday morning.
Sunday July 13th - Comfort Suites Happy Hour 4 p.m. Play Left Right Center.
Bring down a cocktail to the eating area near the lobby.
We are staying at:
Comfort Inn
20052 Brooks St.
Dunellon, FL 34432
(352) 533-5234
Room reservation and transportation are on your own. We have a block of rooms reserved for $160.65 per night plus 11% tax. Call Ask for Sammi and tell her you want one of the rooms reserved by Lisa Mango for Gator Tubing.
Rooms with 2 queen beds:
- Friday, July 11th: Without any discounts - $179.00 + 11.5% tax
With the discounts - $152.15 + 11.5% tax
- Saturday, July 12th: Without any discounts - $179.00 + 11.5% tax
With the discounts - $152.15 + 11.5% tax
- Sunday, July 13th: Without any discounts - $159.00 + 11.5% tax
With the discounts - $135.15 + 11.5% tax
Comfort Suites - Hotel Policies
Check-In 3:00 PM
Check-Out 11:00 AM
Phone Number: (352) 533-5234
Fax: (352) 322-2912
No Smoking: 100% Smoke Free Hotel
Fitness Center Hours: 24/7
Outdoor Heated Pool Hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Daily
Cancellation window: 72 hours in advance.
Comfort Suites - Hotel Amenities
Premium Free WiFi, 100% Smoke Free Hotel, Grab n Go Breakfast, Electronic Vehicle Charging Station, Vending Machines*, Elevator(s)Fitness Center, Outdoor Parking, Bus Parking, Banquet Rooms*, Copy Machine, Fax Machine, Outdoor Heated Pool, Free Coffee, Laundry, Business Center, Convenience Store*, Computer w/ Internet
* Indicates services/amenities that may require an additional cost.
Leader: Lisa Mango Smelcher
For more information, contact Lisa Mango Smelcher
(561) 396-0361
mango.lisa@icloud.com
Tubing - Rainbow Springs
Tube, canoe, kayak and paddle board rentals are available!
Cost of tubing: $24 for a 2 hour trip
Personal tubes are currently permitted to launch.
Download/print flyer.
Rainbow Springs State Park
10830 SW 180th Ave Rd.
Dunnellon, FL 34432
833-945-2925
Tubing - Rainbow Springs
Memorial Day – Labor Day:
8am – 4pm Daily
Opens at 8 a.m. And costs $24.00.
2 hour shorter tubing trip
Location: Tubing Entrance
10830 SW 180th Ave Rd
Dunnellon, FL 34432
Google Directions
Phone: 833-945-2925
Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida (visitrainbowsprings.com)
The pure, spring-fed Rainbow River flows through Ocala/Marion County and is a perfect place to try tubing. The smooth, slow current effortlessly pushes you downstream (at approximately 1 mile per hour), giving you plenty of time to enjoy the area’s breathtaking natural surroundings while viewing Florida’s colorful wildlife in the water and on the shore.
Memorial Day – Labor Day: 8:00am – 4:00pm (last tram leaves at 4:30pm), 7 days per week
Entrance fees:
- There is no parking fee however there is a $2.00 State Park Admission Fee per person.
- Tube & Tram Ticket – $24/person + $2 state fee *
*Tube fare is good for one trip down the river.
Float down Rainbow River:
$24.00 Per Person For Tube & Tram Ticket plus,
State Park Fee:
$4.00 For Single Occupant Vehicle
$5.00 Per Car For 2-8 People
After your first float trip is complete, you may purchase a 2nd float trip at our Tubing Store for $12.00 per person. The 2nd float trip must be completed before leaving the tube park. No re-entry allowed.
You can bring your own tube or inflatable paddle board, but the price is the same. The tube must be 60 inches or less. Inflatable paddle boards must fit in our tubing cage for transport.
Rental People Time Price
Kayak/SUP 1 -2 people 1 hour $17
All Day Rental Kayak/SUP Day $54
Tandem/Canoes 3 people max 1 hour $23
All Day Rental Tandem/Canoe Day $64
If you’re planning a Rainbow River tubing adventure, remember to pack the following items:
- towels
- swimsuits
- sunscreen (a must!)
- sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare
- goggles (perfect for spotting fish and turtles hidden in the swaying eelgrass)
- reusable containers for any food or drink
Note that disposable containers are prohibited on the Rainbow River, and having them is a finable offense. Children must be over the age of 5. You’ll also be asked to sign a safety waiver and release of liability agreement prior to renting and using tubes.
Rainbow River Tubing Excursion Facts:
- The Rainbow River is 5.7 miles long.
- The water temperature is 72 degrees.
- Most of the natural river bed is between 8 to 15 feet deep.
- The current speed is 1.5 knots (1.7 miles per hour).
Rainbow River Tubing Rules:
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park or on the river.
- No disposable containers are allowed in the park or on the river.
- Tube renters must be at least 18 years old and show proof of ID.
- The last tube rental is at 12:45 PM and must be in the water by 2:00 PM.
- The last shuttle back to the park from the tube drop off leaves at 6:00 PM.
Tubing Store
The Tubing Store offers souvenirs, snacks, drinks, ice cream, goggles, waterproof bags etc. Here you can purchase a second float trip, rent coolers and ropes or upgrade your tube to a 2-person tube. We also offer tubes without a hole for our younger tubers.
The Tram
The Tram runs approximately every 20 minutes. Life jackets are highly recommended. We will take you two miles upstream to our launch point, where you will pickup your tube and begin your approximate two hour journey.
Safety
All ages are welcome. At least one member in your group must be 18 years of age. Children 5 years and younger must ride with a parent and wear a lifejacket.
It is strongly advised that you know how to swim as stated in the waiver. This is an un-guided float trip and there are NO life guards. It is prohibited to enter onto ones property along the river.
*If you are mobility impaired and require assistance, please speak to the manager at the Tubing Store before boarding the Tram, for pick-up arrangements
Important Things to Know:
- Once you get to the main building, please fill out your waiver (release of liability agreement) and return to a Breezeway Staff Member.
- Upon exiting the river, you will need to walk the boardwalk/sidewalk back to the building. It is highly recommended that you wear water shoes.
- NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED.
- Coolers and bags will be checked by our staff prior to boarding the Tram.
- No disposable items on the water such as Ziploc bags, plastic water bottles, food wrappers/bags, etc.)
- Changing rooms on-site, but no showers.
- We do not have picnic tables.
- We will hold your car keys for you at the Tubing Store.
- We do not provide lockers, please leave items that are not going with you in your car.
- Animals are not permitted in swimming areas for their own safety and the safety of park visitors (see Florida Stature 64E-9: Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places).
- Expect crowds on weekends.
*Registered Campers Only: If you are a registered camper and are using your own tube to float on the Rainbow River, you may launch from the campground and exit the river via the state park tube take-out and ride the tram back to the campground, for a Fee. Visit the Campground Store to purchase your tickets. For more information contact Guest Services, Inc. at 833-945-2925.
Park Guidelines & Policies
- Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year.
- An entrance fee is required.
- All plants, animals, and park property are protected.
- Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet and well behaved at all times.
- No fishing, tubing, or diving is permitted in the headsprings area.
- Fishing is available to registered campers only from the campground. A Florida fishing license may be required.
- Fireworks and hunting are prohibited.
For Tube & Tram, Canoeing & Kayaking - Essential Eligibility Criteria
- In order to participate in any of these activities, one must:
- Have the ability to traverse uneven and unstable terrain independently or with the assistance of a companion for 1/2 mile
- Have the ability to tolerate 72-degree water and bright sunlight for 2 hours or more while tubing/ canoeing/kayaking without disturbing the river bottom
- Have the ability to survive in the water without the tube/canoe/kayak independently or with the assistance of a companion in the event of falling or flipping off the canoe/kayak/tube or a tube malfunction
- Have the ability to follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion
- Have the ability to enter and exit the water at the designated areas in a stable manner independently or with the assistance of a companion
- Have the ability to maneuver or propel oneself through the water independently or with the assistance of a companion in order to avoid boats, canoes, kayaks, and/or any other hazards
- Have the ability to remain seated, maneuver, and balance independently or with the assistance of a companion or with the use of adaptive equipment
The Following is Prohibited on the River
- Possession of alcoholic beverages.
- Possession of food and beverages in disposable containers.
- Possession of disposable items such as paper sacks, boxes, breakable plastic utensils, etc.
- Possession of Tubes over 60 Inches in diameter.
For further assistance or inquiries please call: Canoe, Kayak, Tube, and Tram Center 352-533-4305.
FAQ
- What should I bring to the Park?
Anything you will need for outdoor adventures. Sunscreen, hats, rash guards, water shoes, waterproof bags, snacks, water, etc. (Please remember that the river only allows non-disposable items)
- What is considered a disposable item?
Any item that is thrown away after single use. (Ex. Ziploc bags, plastic water bottles, food wrappers/bags, glass, cardboard, etc.)
- What can I bring on the Tube?
Any belongings that you will need for the two-hour trip. We recommend sun protection, snorkel gear, and water. If you would like to bring additional items, please remember that there is no location on the tube to store items so you will have to keep track of them for the entirety of the float.
- Should I bring my phone?
Bringing a phone for an emergency is not a bad idea, we recommend a waterproof pouch with a lanyard to make sure your phone is safe. We deal with dozens of lost phones throughout the season.
- What time does the park usually hit capacity on weekends and weekdays?
Weekdays we rarely hit capacity unless it’s a holiday. Weekend usually hits capacity between 9am-10am.
- What should I do if the Park is at capacity when I arrive?
If the park hits capacity, it is due to no parking. We are limited on parking spaces and once the lot is full the Tubing entrance is closed until cars leave. Once we have 10 cars leave, we will allow 10 cars in. Unfortunately, at the time we do not have an alternative parking lot and cannot allow vehicles to line up on the road, due to safety. We will have a vehicle block the entrance, once we have spots available, we will move our vehicle and allow cars to enter. If the car is blocking the entrance, we are not allowing vehicles in at that time.
- How much does it cost to go tubing and what payment options do you accept?
Tubing price is $20 per person with or without your own tube. We are currently accepting all types of payments.
- Can you bring your own tube?
You are allowed to bring your own tube as long as it’s a single tube no bigger than 60” in diameter. Please remember that all tubes are transported on the tram with you and to be mindful of others’ space on the tram.
- What if I have an RV or a Bus?
We do have 5 spots that can accommodate larger vehicles but because we are limited on spots once we get closer to capacity those spots are filled with any type of vehicle. We do have alternative spots if those spots are full. Please talk with staff upon arrival.
- What if I have a big group?
If you would like to tube with a large group (20+) please give a courtesy call to 833-945-0000 prior to your arrival.
- Do you take reservations?
Currently, we do not accept reservations. We are working on the logistics of reservations for the future.
- Can you picnic?
We do allow people to have a small quick picnic at the tubing site. Parking is limited and on days we hit capacity we have guests waiting to get in. We want to make it as fair as we can for everyone. The Headsprings is a more suitable location for a longer more established picnic.
- Can you tube as many times as you’d like?
The tubing price allows for one 2 hour float trip.
- Can I Park at your site and tube to Swampy’s or Blue Run?
If you chose to float with us at the State Park, we only allow for guests to enter and exit at our location. We do not allow guests to float past our exit. If you are in your own float and decide to float to another location, please keep in mind we do not offer shuttles offsite.
- Do you have showers/changing rooms?
We do have changing rooms on site but do not have showers available.
- Do you allow Service animals or pets tubing?
We do not allow animals of any kind on our tube trip even with your own tube. Service animals and pets are allowed at the Headsprings. We do allow service animals in our rental kayaks located at the Headsprings.
About Rainbow Springs State Park
One of Florida’s largest springs, the headsprings of the Rainbow River originates in this beautiful 1,472-acre park. Rich in natural beauty and cultural history, it is also a popular spot for swimmers, kayakers, tubers, and campers. The magnificent azaleas bloom in early spring, attracting visitors from around the country.
Rainbow Springs is a wonderful mixture of Central Florida’s natural and cultural heritage. It is a popular destination to swim, snorkel, tube, fish, canoe, picnic or stroll the gardens. The day-use headsprings area, tube launch area, and the campground differ in the activities they allow, so be sure to ask in advance.
The gardens and waterfalls are cultural assets that remain from the days when the headsprings were a private attraction. They have been renovated and replanted while preserving their historical significance. In early spring the entire headsprings area bursts into pinks, purples, and whites with its famous azalea blooms. Nature trails meander into the park’s natural areas.
The headsprings and campground have a variety of programs, such as ranger-guided walks, snorkeling expeditions and canoe trips at different times of the year. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the headsprings. A food concession, gift shop and visitor center add to the pleasure and education of visitors. The picnic pavilions are perfect for family reunions and weddings.
The campground, about six miles from the headsprings, provides access to the river. More nature trails wind through the sandhill and oak hammock communities. Campground activities are for registered campers only. A camp store offers further amenities for overnight guests.
Download/print Rainbow River Access Map.
Download/print Rainbow River Etiquette for Tubers.
